• The Cosby Present aired for eight seasons from 1984 to 1992.
• Invoice Cosby co-created the present and starred on it, drawing from his stand-up act.
• The sequence helped launch the careers of Phylicia Rashad, Lisa Bonet, and Raven-Symoné.
  

All through the Nineteen Eighties and early Nineties, The Cosby Show broke new floor and received over tens of millions with its heartwarming, hilarious take a look at the Huxtables, an upper-middle-class Black household in Brooklyn.

Impressed by Invoice Cosby's stand-up routines — which had been, in flip, based mostly on his family life — the NBC sequence emerged as a cultural touchstone that redefined the sitcom style.

Not solely did the present carry laughter and essential conversations into dwelling rooms throughout America, nevertheless it additionally launched the onscreen careers of Phylicia Rashad, Lisa Bonet, and Raven-Symoné, every of whom have made seismic impacts on tradition during the last a number of a long time.

Let's make a journey down reminiscence lane and check out The Cosby Present solid, then and now.

01 of 11

Invoice Cosby as Cliff Huxtable

Since creating and starring as Dr. Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Present, the once-beloved and ubiquitous comic and actor Invoice Cosby has seen his public picture and profession impacted by quite a few allegations of sexual assault and abuse, all of which he has constantly denied.

In 2015, Cosby was charged with the assault of Andrea Constand, who had beforehand labored at Cosby's alma mater, Temple College, because the director of operations for the ladies's basketball staff.

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In September 2018, Cosby was convicted of aggravated sexual assault and given a sentence of three to 10 years in jail. Nevertheless, in June 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Courtroom overturned the conviction, citing violations of his constitutional rights.

In 2022, a civil jury discovered him accountable for sexually assaulting Judy Huth when she was a youngster.

Because of the authorized proceedings and public backlash, lots of Cosby's awards and honorary levels had been rescinded, and reruns of The Cosby Present had been pulled from TV.

02 of 11

Phylicia Rashad as Clair Huxtable

Emmy nominee Phylicia Rashad is arguably finest recognized for her position as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Present, however she's continued to get pleasure from a profitable and multifaceted profession for the reason that sequence led to 1992.

Rashad went on to reunite with Cosby on the actor's CBS sitcom, Cosby (1996–2000), and his animated Nickelodeon sequence, Little Invoice (1999–2004). Different credit embody the Creed film series (2015–2023), This Is Us (2019–2021), and The Beekeeper (2024).

Rashad, who started her profession on the stage, continues to work in theater. She earned Tony Awards for her performances in A Raisin within the Solar (2004) and Skeleton Crew (2022). Most not too long ago, she directed Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Goal, which premiered through the 2024-2025 Broadway season and received the Tony Award for Greatest Play.

Along with her appearing profession, Rashad served as dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman Faculty of Wonderful Arts at Howard College from 2021 to 2024.

Throughout a 2024 interview with the South Bend Tribune, Rashad mirrored on her time on The Cosby Present, calling it "the best work atmosphere" she had skilled on the time. She added that audiences related with the present as a result of "households all around the world noticed themselves in it."

03 of 11

Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable

Lisa Bonet's portrayal of Denise Huxtable earned her widespread acclaim, with the actress receiving an Emmy nomination in 1986.

She reprised the position on spinoff A Different World (1987–1989) earlier than shifting on to initiatives like Enemy of the State (1998), High Fidelity (2000), The Crimson Highway (2015–2016), and Ray Donovan (2016).

Whereas she's taken on fewer roles in recent times, Bonet stays a presence within the leisure world. Her private life has usually made headlines, together with her marriage to Lenny Kravitz, with whom she shares daughter Zoë Kravitz.

In 2017, she married actor Jason Momoa. The couple divorced in 2024.

Although Bonet hasn't spoken a lot publicly about her time on The Cosby Present, it's been reported that stress existed between her and Cosby.

04 of 11

Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Theo Huxtable

Following his breakout position as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Present, Malcolm-Jamal Warner gained additional recognition for roles on Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), Sons of Anarchy (2014), The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016), The Resident (2018–2023), and 9-1-1 (2024).

Tragically, Warner died in an unintended drowning on July 20, 2025, on the age of 54 throughout a household trip in Limón, Costa Rica. Native authorities advised ABC Information that the actor was caught in a powerful present, and his loss of life was dominated as asphyxia on account of drowning.

In considered one of his remaining interviews, Warner mirrored on The Cosby Present’s difficult legacy, telling PEOPLE, "No matter how some folks might really feel concerning the present now, I'm nonetheless happy with the legacy and having been part of such an iconic present that had such a profound impression on — before everything, Black tradition — but additionally American tradition."

05 of 11

Tempestt Bledsoe as Vanessa Huxtable

Tempestt Bledsoe is finest remembered for taking part in Vanessa Huxtable on The Cosby Present, a task she started as a toddler.

Because the present ended, she's continued working, together with internet hosting her personal daytime speak present, The Tempestt Bledsoe Show (1995–1996), and showing on sequence like The Replacements (2008–2009), Guys with Youngsters (2012–2013), and most not too long ago, Household Reunion (2019).

In 2012, Bledsoe told theGrio that The Cosby Present was "one of the best set on this planet." She stated, "We had been introduced up on a set that’s simply incomparable so far as what sort of set you’d need youngsters to be on… We had been very protected and sheltered."

She continued, "The Cosby Present modified America's opinion on so many alternative subjects and opened so many individuals's eyes."

06 of 11

Keshia Knight Pulliam as Rudy Huxtable

Keshia Knight Pulliam's breakthrough got here as Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Present, a task that earned her an Emmy nomination at simply six years outdated. On the time, she was the youngest nominee in historical past.

Within the years since, she's continued appearing, most notably as Miranda Lucas-Payne on Tyler Perry's long-running sitcom Home of Payne (2007–2012; 2020–current). She's additionally appeared on actuality sequence comparable to The Apprentice (2015) and Movie star Large Brother (2018), amongst others.

In a 2023 interview with PEOPLE, Knight Pulliam mentioned The Cosby Present, emphasizing its cultural worth regardless of the controversy surrounding its star. "You’ll be able to't take away the work that all of us collectively did," she stated, including that The Cosby Present "was larger than one individual."

She continued, "A number of actors wait their whole lifetime for a chance like that. I'm grateful I’ve been part of a bit of labor that has actually transcended generations and that's nonetheless educating classes which are related right this moment."

07 of 11

Sabrina Le Beauf as Sondra Huxtable Tibideaux

Since enjoying eldest Huxtable sibling Sondra on The Cosby Present, Sabrina Le Beauf has largely stepped away from the highlight.

Her most notable credit score was voicing a personality on Fatherhood (2004–2005), an animated sequence impressed by considered one of Cosby's books. Her final onscreen position was within the 2009 movie The Stalker Inside.

Talking on the 2011 TV Land Awards, Le Beauf mirrored positively on the present's lasting attraction. "[People] nonetheless watch it, they nonetheless relate to it — and it's humorous," she stated. "You flip it on, and it's laugh-out-loud humorous."

08 of 11

Geoffrey Owens as Elvin Tibideaux

Geoffrey Owens made his TV debut as Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Present and has since appeared in a few of the hottest reveals on TV, from Legislation & Order: Particular Victims Unit (2002) and The Secret Lifetime of the American Teenager (2011–2012) to Blue Bloods (2017) and The Good Battle (2021).

You may additionally acknowledge Owens from his a number of hilarious visitor spots on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2007–2021), in addition to his roles in movies like Someplace in Queens (2022), Ezra (2023), and Nonnas (2025).

In 2018, images of the actor working at Dealer Joe’s circulated on-line and sparked a dialog about "job shaming." The publicity led to new appearing alternatives, together with a task on Tyler Perry's The Haves and the Have Nots.

In 2024, although, Owens revealed that he nonetheless struggles to make ends meet.

09 of 11

Joseph C. Phillips as Lt. Martin Kendall

Joseph C. Phillips, finest recognized to The Cosby Present followers as Lt. Martin Kendall, additionally had a notable run as Justus Ward on General Hospital from 1994 to 1998. His TV work continued with roles on The District (2002–2003), With no Hint (2005–2006), and 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020).

Exterior of appearing, Phillips is an outspoken conservative commentator and has publicly shared his views on subjects comparable to affirmative motion and same-sex marriage. In 2022, he transitioned into academia, becoming a member of Clark Atlanta College as a professor within the theatre and communications division.

10 of 11

Raven-Symoné as Olivia Kendall

After charming audiences as Olivia Kendall on The Cosby Present, Raven-Symoné scored a number one position on ABC's Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper (1993–1997).

She grew to become a family title along with her starring position as Raven Baxter on Disney Channel's That's So Raven (2003–2007) and its spinoff Raven's Home (2017–2023).

Past tv, Raven-Symoné has had a profitable movie profession, showing in Dr. Dolittle (1998), The Princess Diaries 2 (2004), and The Cheetah Women movies (2003–2006). She's additionally launched a number of albums, rounding out an almost 40-year profession in leisure.

On a 2021 episode of UNCENSORED, Raven-Symoné disclosed that she has little to no reminiscence of her time on The Cosby Present on account of dissociative dysfunction.

"Actually, I don't keep in mind… I don't keep in mind a scene," she defined. "I don’t keep in mind as quickly because the digicam begins. One thing clicks off and I do what I'm skilled to do."

11 of 11

Erika Alexander as Pam Tucker

Erika Alexander joined The Cosby Present for its final two seasons as Pam Tucker, Clair's teenage cousin. From there, she pivoted to enjoying Max Shaw on the Fox hit sequence Living Single (1993–1998), a task that earned her two NAACP Picture Awards.

Alexander's lengthy and spectacular listing of movie and TV credit embody The Lengthy Stroll House (1990), Déjà Vu (2006), Last Man Standing (2012–2015), Get Out (2017), Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019–2023), Earth Mama (2023), and American Fiction (2023).

In a March 2018 interview on The Breakfast Club, Alexander revealed that she auditioned for The Cosby Present a number of instances earlier than producers created the position of Pam particularly for her.

The place can I watch The Cosby Present?

The Cosby Present is at present obtainable for buy on Amazon Prime Video.

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