Where Are They Now? The Cosby Show

Hitting the airwaves on September 20, 1984, The Cosby Show ran for eight seasons on NBC, ending its run on April 30, 1992.  The Huxtable family won its way into our living rooms through the antics of the kids in the family and the comedy and fatherly advice of the namesake of the show, Bill Cosby.  As Dr. Heathcliffe “Cliff” Huxtable, Cosby led the way for millions of America’s families to deal with real problems faced by kids growing up in the late 20th century.  This was definitely no Father Knows Best.  Phylicia Rashad co-starred as Clair Huxtable, the mother of four and hard-working female role model.  Some of the children grew up and left the home during the run of the show, but their antics would not be forgotten.  Leading the way was Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable, followed by Tempestt Bledsoe as Vanessa, Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Theo (short for Theodore) and last but not least, Keshia Knight Pulliam as little Rudy.  Well, it’s been over 17 years since the show said it’s last goodbyes … so where are they now?

Bill Cosby hasn’t done any acting since doing a voice piece on Sylvia’s Path (2002).  He has written several books, with his most controversial in 2007 called ”Come On People: On the Path from Victims to Victors.”  He is scheduled to host a comedy gala at the Montreal Just for Laughs festival this summer.

Rashad has continued her acting career on broadway as well as in both television and films, guest starring in shows such as Touched by an Angel, Psych and The Life & Times of Tim.  Two movies starring Rashad are forthcoming: Frankie and Alice, which is in post-production and The Middle of Nowhere, which is in pre-production.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner has continued on to have a prolific career in acting, from having a lead role for four seasons of Malcolm & Eddie to guest starring in The Cleaner and Hawthorne. On a personal note, Warner ended up marrying Karen Malina White who played the character Charmaine Brown in 14 episodes of The Cosby Show.

Keshia Knight Pulliam continued with her acting primarily in film, starring in Beatuy Shop (2005) and Death Toll (2008).  Only in the last few years has Pulliam returned to television, guest starring in House of Payne.  Her latest work, in Madea Goes to Jail was released in February of this year.

Tempestt Bledsoe has starred in many television shows and made-for-tv movies such as The Practice, South of Nowhere, Husband for Hire and The Replacements.  Her two most current projects are the made-for-tv movie Wishing Well, currently in post-production and N-Secure, made for the big screen, also in post-production.  She is also starring with her husband, Darryl M. Bell, in the reality TV series Househusbands of Hollywood, set to air this fall on the Fox Reality Channel.

Last but not least, Lisa Bonet went on to star in several movies, both for the silver screen and for television.  Her latest role has taken the form of several appearances on the show Life on Mars.  Lisa was married to the singer Lenny Kravitz in the 1980s, but the two split up in 1993.  Her controversial role in the x-rated movie Angel Heart in 1987 was suspected to be one reason she left the show.  After her divorce from Kravitz she got remarried to her yoga instructor and legally changed her name to Lilakoi Moon.