Exclusive: Unveiling Sherri Shepherd's Emotional Exchange with Late 'View' Boss and Mentor Bill Geddie

Sherri Shepherd. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Sherri Shepherd expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of her former boss and mentor, Bill Geddie, in a heartfelt tribute post. Taking to Instagram, the 56-year-old shared a series of photos featuring herself and Geddie, along with text messages exchanged between the two. Shepherd reflected on how Geddie took a risk by casting her, a stand-up comedian with no prior talk show experience, as a co-host on The View. Despite lacking political knowledge, Shepherd believes Geddie recognized the relatability of a black, single mother of a child with special needs who was just an authentic person.

Geddie passed away on Friday, July 21 due to coronary-related factors, as reported by Variety. He was 68 years old. Surviving him are his wife Barbara and their two daughters, Allison and Lauren.

Within the carousel of images, Shepherd shared a collection of correspondences between herself and Geddie. In one of these exchanges, Shepherd conveyed her appreciation for the deceased talk show creator and the opportunity he had given her.

"I have faith in you and I'm fond of you," Geddie replied. "Sometimes, the deserving ones emerge as winners. Don't let this moment overwhelm you to the point that you abandon everything that brought you here. Be cautious, but not excessively careful. Your supporters are already aware of who you are. Continue to give yourself to them."

In January, the two shared greetings as they welcomed the New Year. Shepherd expressed gratitude to him for transforming her life. Geddie echoed her sentiment and expressed how she had also transformed his life. He concluded the message with, "You're going to have an incredible year, I can sense it."

Bill Geddie. Picture Perfect/Shutterstock

In a subsequent message, Shepherd reached out to Geddie for guidance as she embarked on her new venture, hosting her own talk show called "Sherri," which premiered in September 2022. Shepherd admitted to frequently seeking advice and encouragement from Geddie while filming the first season. In a February conversation, Geddie provided Shepherd with tips on how to generate public interest in her show. Despite acknowledging the challenges, he reassured Shepherd that he sincerely believed in her ability to succeed.

"You're great to work with, which is a major advantage," he wrote. "As long as you stay focused on your goals and have a clear plan to achieve them, you'll be fine. It's easy to get caught up in trying to please everyone, and while that's good, it can hinder your progress. The good news is, everyone is rooting for you."

Geddie gained fame for his co-creation of The View alongside Barbara Walters in 1997. He received four Daytime Emmys and 13 nominations for his work on the talk show during his time there. He left the series in 2014.