Phylicia Rashad Biography: Spouse, Children, Net Worth, Height, Age, Movies, Parents, Family

Biography

Phylicia Rashad, born Phylicia Ayers-Allen on June 19, 1948, is a celebrated American actress, singer, and director.

She is best known for her iconic role as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show (1984–1992), which earned her two Emmy nominations and solidified her place in television history.

Born in Houston, Texas, Rashad graduated magna cum laude from Howard University with a degree in theatre. She first gained prominence on Broadway, making history in 2004 as the first Black woman to win the Tony Award for Best Actress for her role in A Raisin in the Sun. Over her decades-long career, she has starred in films such as Creed (2015) and Black Panther (2018) and has mentored rising talents, including Chadwick Boseman.

In 2021, Rashad became dean at Howard University’s College of Fine Arts, further cementing her lasting impact on the arts and education.

American actress
Phylicia Rashad
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Phylicia Ayers-Allen
Stage Name:	Phylicia Rashad
Born:	19 June 1948 (age 76 years old)
Place of Birth:	Houston, Texas, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Jack Yates High School, Howard University,
Height:	168 cm
Parents:	Vivian Allen, Andrew Arthur Allen Sr., Vivian Ayers Allen
Siblings:	Debbie Allen, Andrew Arthur Allen Jr, Hugh Allen
Spouse:	Ahmad Rashad (m. 1985–2001), Victor Willis (m. 1978–1982), William Lancelot Bowles, Jr. (m. 1972–1975)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Condola Rashad, William Lancelot Bowles III
Occupation:	Actress • Singer
Net Worth:	$25 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Phylicia Rashad, born Phylicia Ayers-Allen on June 19, 1948, in Houston, Texas, is of African American heritage. She is deeply connected to the Black American experience that shaped her artistic career and advocacy for the arts.

While she has not frequently spoken about her religious beliefs, her upbringing in a culturally rich and intellectually driven household suggests a background influenced by the Christian traditions common in mid-20th-century African American communities in the South.

She was born to Vivian Elizabeth Ayers, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet, playwright, and scholar, and Andrew Arthur Allen, a dentist and orthodontist. Her mother’s artistic influence and her father’s professional discipline helped shape her worldview.

Rashad grew up in a highly talented family with three siblings: her older sister, Debbie Allen, a celebrated actress, dancer, and choreographer; her older brother, Andrew “Tex” Allen, a jazz musician; and her younger brother, Hugh Allen, who has remained largely out of the public eye, reportedly working in real estate.

For her education, Rashad attended Jack Yates High School, a historically Black school in Houston known for its strong academic programs. She later pursued theatre studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C., a prestigious historically Black institution.

Graduating magna cum laude in 1970 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, she was mentored by figures like Owen Dodson, solidifying her passion for performance. Her deep connection to Howard continued throughout her life, culminating in her appointment as dean of its College of Fine Arts in 2021.

Career

Phylicia Rashad’s career is a remarkable journey spanning television, film, theatre, and education, marked by versatility and a lasting impact on the arts. After graduating magna cum laude from Howard University in 1970 with a BFA in theatre, she launched her career on stage, performing in Broadway musicals and plays.

She gained early recognition in New York theatre with standout roles in productions like The Wiz (1975) and Dreamgirls (1981), showcasing her talents as both an actress and a singer.

Her breakthrough came in 1984 when she was cast as Clair Huxtable, The Cosby Show‘s poised and witty matriarch. Running until 1992, the sitcom became a cultural phenomenon, and Rashad’s portrayal earned her two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1985, 1986), cementing her status as a household name. In its spin-off, A Different World (1987–1989), she also appeared in a recurring role as Clair.

Rashad’s theatre career reached new heights in the 2000s. In 2004, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role as Lena Younger in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. She reprised the role in the 2008 television adaptation, earning an Emmy nomination. Other notable stage credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008), where she played Big Mama, and August: Osage County (2014), reinforcing her command of dramatic storytelling.

In film, Rashad delivered powerful performances as Mary Anne Creed in Creed (2015) and Creed II (2018), adding emotional depth to the Rocky franchise. She also had an uncredited role as Queen Ramonda’s predecessor in Black Panther (2018), further connecting her legacy to a new generation. Her other film credits include For Colored Girls (2010), Good Deeds (2012), and The Beekeeper (2024), demonstrating her ability to excel across genres.

On television, beyond The Cosby Show, Rashad starred in Do No Harm (2013) as Dr. Vanessa Young and played the sophisticated yet ruthless Diana DuBois in Empire (2016–2018). She also lent her voice to animated series like Little Bill (1999–2004) and The Cleveland Show (2009–2010). As a director, she has helmed stage productions such as Gem of the Ocean and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, expanding her influence behind the scenes.

In 2021, Rashad was appointed dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts, where she continues to mentor emerging talent, including former student Chadwick Boseman. Her career, decorated with honours such as multiple NAACP Image Awards and a 2022 Tony nomination for Skeleton Crew, is a testament to her artistic excellence, advocacy for Black storytelling, and enduring legacy in entertainment and education.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Phylicia Rashad
• IMDb: Phylicia Rashad
• Instagram: Phylicia Rashād (@phyliciarashad)
• Twitter: Phylicia Rashad (@PhyliciaRashad) / X

Personal Life

Phylicia Rashad was born on June 19, 1948, and was 76 years old as of March 3, 2025.

Rashad has been married three times. She first married William Lancelot Bowles Jr., a dentist, in 1972. They had one child together, a son named William Lancelot Bowles III, born in 1973. The couple divorced in 1975.

Her second marriage was to Victor Willis, the original lead singer of the Village People, in 1978. This union was short-lived, ending in divorce in 1982, and they had no children together. Her third and most publicized marriage was to Ahmad Rashad, a former NFL player and sportscaster, on December 14, 1985.

The wedding was famously proposed on national television during an NFL broadcast, and it produced one daughter, Condola Phylea Rashad, born on December 11, 1986. Phylicia and Ahmad divorced in 2001 after 16 years of marriage.

Rashad has at least one grandchild out of her two children. Her daughter, Condola Rashad, an accomplished actress known for roles in Billions and Broadway’s Saint Joan (earning her four Tony nominations), has kept her personal life private, but there is no widely confirmed report of her having children as of early 2025.

William Lancelot Bowles III has largely stayed out of the spotlight, and while he may have children, no specific details about his grandchildren are publicly documented.

Rashad stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm), which complements her graceful stage and screen presence. Before her first marriage, there are no widely reported relationships, and post-divorce from Ahmad Rashad in 2001, she has not remarried or publicly confirmed any significant partners.

Net Worth

Phylicia Rashad’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million. She accumulated her wealth through a prolific career spanning television, film, and theatre.

Her iconic role as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show (1984–1992) was a major financial cornerstone, reportedly earning her a substantial salary during its run and residuals thereafter. Rashad’s Broadway success, including her historic Tony-winning performance in A Raisin in the Sun (2004), along with roles in films like Creed (2015) and Creed II (2018), further bolstered her earnings.

Additional income came from television appearances, voice work, and directing, as well as her tenure as dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts since 2021.

Filmography

Movies

• The Broad Jump (1974) – Role unknown (short film)
• Once Upon a Time… When We Were Colored (1995) – Ma Ponk
• The Visit (2000) – Dr. Coles
• For Colored Girls (2010) – Gilda
• Good Deeds (2012) – Wilimena Deeds
• Steel Magnolias (2012) – Clairee (TV movie)
• Gods Behaving Badly (2013) – Demeter
• Creed (2015) – Mary Anne Creed
• Black Panther (2018) – Queen Akasha (uncredited)
• Creed II (2018) – Mary Anne Creed
• A Fall from Grace (2020) – Sarah Miller / Betty Mills
• Soul (2020) – Libba Gardner (voice)
• Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020) – Grandmother Journey
• Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021) – “Sunday” Legend
• The Beekeeper (2024) – Eloise Parker
• Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) – Sarafina (voice)

TV Shows

• Delvecchio (1976) – Venita Ray (Episode: “The Silent Prey”)
• The Cosby Show (1984–1992) – Clair Huxtable (main role, 202 episodes)
• Santa Barbara (1985) – Felicia Dalton (recurring role)
• A Different World (1987–1989) – Clair Huxtable (recurring, 5 episodes)
• Polly (1989) – Aunt Polly (TV movie)
• The Old Settler (2001) – Elizabeth Barney (TV movie)
• The Cosby Show: A Look Back (2002) – Herself (TV special)
• A Raisin in the Sun (2008) – Lena Younger (TV movie)
• Psych (2007–2008) – Winnie Guster (2 episodes)
• The Cleveland Show (2009–2010) – Dee Dee Tubbs (voice, 3 episodes)
• Do No Harm (2013) – Dr. Vanessa Young (main role, 13 episodes)
• Jean-Claude Van Johnson (2016–2017) – Jane Petersen (recurring, 6 episodes)
• Empire (2016–2018) – Diana DuBois (recurring, 12 episodes)
• Tour de Pharmacy (2017) – Victoria Young (TV movie)
• David Makes Man (2019–2021) – Dr. Woods-Trap (recurring, 8 episodes)
• This Is Us (2020) – Carol Clarke (2 episodes)
• Grey’s Anatomy (2022) – Nell Timms (Episode: “Let’s Talk About Sex”)
• 13 Reasons Why (2020) – Pastor (Episode: “Acceptance/Rejection”)
• Little America (2022) – Eunice Lawrence (Episode: “The Bra Whisperer”)

Theater (Selected Works)

• The Wiz (1975) – Ensemble / Munchkin
• Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death (1971) – Ensemble (Broadway debut)
• Dreamgirls (1981) – Ensemble / Sheryl
• Into the Woods (1988) – The Witch
• Gem of the Ocean (2004) – Aunt Ester (also directed later productions)
• A Raisin in the Sun (2004) – Lena Younger (Tony Award for Best Actress)
• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008) – Big Mama
• August: Osage County (2014) – Violet Weston
• Head of Passes (2016) – Shelah
• Skeleton Crew (2022) – Faye (Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress)
• Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – Directed various productions

Voice Work

• Little Bill (1999–2004) – Brenda Glover (recurring voice role)
• The Bravest Knight (2019) – The Sorceress (voice, Episode: “Cedric & the Troll”)
• Solar Opposites (2021) – Various voices (Episode: “The Emergency Urbanizer”)

Directing

• Gem of the Ocean (various regional productions)
• Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (various regional productions)
• Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (2013, Mark Taper Forum)

Notable Mentorship

• As dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts (appointed 2021), Rashad mentored students, including Chadwick Boseman during his time at Howard, influencing his career trajectory.