Rashad, Phylicia 1948– (Phylicia Allen, Phylicia Ayers–Allen)

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RASHAD, Phylicia 1948–
(Phylicia Allen, Phylicia Ayers–Allen)

PERSONAL

Original name, Phylicia Ayers–Allen; born June 19, 1948, in Houston, TX; daughter of Andrew Arthur (a dentist) and Vivian (a poet and scholar; maiden name, Ayers) Allen; sister of Debbie Allen (an actress, director, choreographer, producer, and composer) and Andrew Arthur "Tex" Allen (a jass musician and composer); married William Lancelot Bowles, Jr. (a dentist), 1972 (divorced, 1975); married Victor Willis (a singer), April 28, 1978 (divorced, 1980); married Ahmad Rashad (a sportscaster), December, 1985 (some sources cite 1986; divorced, 2001); children: (first marriage) William Lancelot Bowles III; (third marriage) Condola Phylea and stepchildren Keva, Maiysha, and Ahmad, Jr. Education: Howard University, B.F.A., theatre (magna cum laude), 1970; studied at New York School of Ballet.

Addresses: Agent— (voice work) Cunningham/Escott/Dipene and Associates, 10635 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 140, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Manager— Johnnie Planco, Parseghian/Planco Management, 23 East 22nd St., Suite 3, New York, NY 10010.

Career: Actress, singer, and producer. Alley Theatre, Houston, TX, member of Merry–Go–Round Theatre (youth group), 1960s; Negro Ensemble Company, New York City, performed as member of company; Phylicia Rashad and Company, Las Vegas, NV, founder, 1990; Alliance Theatre Company, Atlanta, GA, member of board of directors. Howard University, served as drama teacher. Save the Children, spokesperson, 1989–91; Cancer Information Service, spokesperson, 1990–91; Recruiting New Teachers, member of board of directors, beginning 1990; Take Diabetes to Heart! (national health awareness campaign), founder, 2002; supporter of PRASAD Project; affiliated with the renovation of historic Brainerd Institute in South Carolina. Appeared in a television commercial for Pop Secret Jumbo Pop popcorn.

Member: Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Awards, Honors: People's Choice Award, favorite female performer in a new television program, 1985, Emmy Award nominations, outstanding lead actress in a comedy series, 1985, 1986, and Image Award, best actress in a comedy series, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 1988, all for The Cosby Show; Annual CableACE Award nomination, best supporting actress in television, National Cable Television Association, 1987, for Uncle Tom's Cabin; People's Choice Award, favorite female television performer, 1989; honorary degree, Barber–Scotia College, 1989; Outstanding Achievement Award, Women in Film, 1991; honoree of the year, Harvard Foundation, 1991; honorary degree, Providence College, 1991; Trumpet Award, 1995; Image Award nomination, outstanding lead actress in a motion picture, 1997, for Once upon a Time ... When We Were Colored; Image Award, 1997, and Image Award nomination, 1998, both outstanding lead actress in a comedy series, Golden Satellite Award nomination, best actress in a comedy or musical television series, International Press Academy, 1999, and TV Guide Award nomination, favorite actress in a comedy, 2000, all for Cosby; Dorothy I. Height Dreammaker Award, National Council of Negro Women and Quaker Oats Co., 1999; Muse Award, outstanding vision and achievement, New York Women in Film and Television, 2001; Lucille Lortel Award nomination, outstanding actress, League of Off–Broadway Theatres and Producers, 2002, for Blue; American Film Institute Television Award nomination, actress of the year in a movie or miniseries, and Image Award nomination, outstanding actress in a television movie, miniseries, or dramatic special, both 2002, for "The Old Settler," PBS Hollywood Presents; honorary doctorates from Clark University and Morris Brown College.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Series:

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Courtney Wright, One Life to Live, ABC, 1983–1984.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen; later as Phylicia Rashad) Clair Olivia Hanks Huxtable, The Cosby Show, NBC, 1984–1992.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Felicia Dalton, Santa Barbara, 1985.

Ruth Lucas, Cosby, CBS, 1996–2000.

Voice of Brenda Glover, Little Bill, Nickelodeon, beginning 1999.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Eliza, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Showtime, 1987.

Lynne Jacobi, False Witness (also known as Double Exposure ), NBC, 1989.

Aunt Polly, "Polly," The Magical World of Disney, NBC, 1989.

Aunt Polly, Polly: Comin' Home (also known as Polly— One More Time! ), NBC, 1990.

Janice Grant, Jailbirds, CBS, 1991.

Mayor Turner, "Hallelujah," American Playhouse, PBS, 1993.

Gladys Johnson, David's Mother, CBS, 1994.

Dr. Marion Hale, The Possession of Michael D. (also known as Legacy of Evil ), Fox, 1995.

Detective Kate Jacobs, The Babysitter's Seduction (also known as Death Pays the Sitter ), NBC, 1996.

Desiree, Free of Eden, Showtime, 1999.

Elizabeth, "The Old Settler," PBS Hollywood Presents, PBS, 2001.

Cassandra Hawkins, Murder, She Wrote: The Last Free Man, CBS, 2001.

Television Appearances; Specials:

(As Phylicia Allen) We're Fighting Back, 1981.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Host, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, NBC, 1985.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Host, The 97th Tournament of Roses Parade, NBC, 1986.

Texas 150: A Celebration Special, ABC, 1986.

Nell Carter—Never Too Old to Dream, NBC, 1986.

Bob Hope's High–Flying Birthday, NBC, 1986.

Kraft Salutes Super Night at the Super Bowl, CBS, 1987.

Bob Hope's High–Flying Birthday Extravaganza, NBC, 1987.

Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, NBC, 1987.

Superstars and Their Moms, ABC, 1987.

Our Kids and the Best of Everything, ABC, 1987.

Host, The 99th Tournament of Roses Parade, NBC, 1988.

Host, First Things First, PBS, 1988.

Mickey's 60th Birthday Special, NBC, 1988.

Host, Michael Jackson around the World, NBC, 1988.

The Debbie Allen Special, ABC, 1989.

Bill Cosby Salutes Alvin Ailey, NBC, 1989.

Host and commentator, The 100th Tournament of Roses Parade, NBC, 1989.

Host, Best Catches, CBS, 1989.

Judge, The 1989 Miss America Pageant, NBC, 1989.

Time Warner Presents the Earth Day Special, ABC, 1990.

The MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon (also known as The 25th Anniversary MDA Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon ), syndicated, 1990.

The American Red Cross Emergency Test, ABC, 1990.

Bob Hope's Four–Star Christmas Fiesta from San Antonio, NBC, 1992.

The Last Laugh: Memories of the Cosby Show, NBC, 1992.

Host, Mom Knows Best (also known as Sitcom Moms ), CBS, 1992.

Host, Campbell's Portrait of a Teacher, Lifetime, 1993.

Host, A Tribute to TV's Funniest Families (also known as Television's Funniest Families ), NBC, 1994.

Host, TV Violence: Parents under the Gun, TBS, 1994.

Night of about 14 CBS Stars, Comedy Central, 1996.

Nissan Presents a Celebration of America's Music, ABC, 1996.

Host, The All–American Thanksgiving Parade, CBS, 1996.

Interviewee, Intimate Portrait: Debbie Allen, Lifetime, 1997.

Interviewee, Intimate Portrait: Phylicia Rashad, Lifetime, 1998.

Nissan Presents: The 2nd Annual Celebration of American Music, ABC, 1998.

The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 1998.

Host, A Tribute to Black Music Legends, Black Entertainment Television, 1999.

Broadway '99: Launching the Tony Awards, PBS, 1999.

Voice of Lady Fulton, The Princess and the Pauper: An Animated Special from the "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child " Series, HBO, 2000.

Interviewee, Intimate Portrait: Madeline Kahn, Lifetime, 2000.

Interviewee, Intimate Portrait: Florence Griffith Joyner, Lifetime, 2000.

Host, The 50th Anniversary Pillsbury Bake–Off, CBS, 2000.

Narrator, Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over, Arts and Entertainment, 2001.

NBC 75th Anniversary Special (also known as NBC 75th Anniversary Celebration ), NBC, 2002.

Herself and Clair Huxtable, The Cosby Show: A Look Back, NBC, 2002.

Interviewee, Great Women of Television Comedy: A Museum of Television & Radio Special, NBC, 2003.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) "Wax Job," Delvecchio, CBS, 1976.

"A Day in Port," The Love Boat, ABC, 1985.

Clair Huxtable, "Clair's Last Stand," A Different World, NBC, 1988.

Voice of "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters," Reading Rainbow, PBS, 1988.

Guest cohost, Friday Night Videos, NBC, 1988.

Clair Huxtable, "Risky Business," A Different World, NBC, 1989.

Clair Huxtable, "Forever Hold Your Peace," A Different World, NBC, 1989.

Clair Huxtable, "Success, Lies, and Videotape," A Different World, NBC, 1990.

Blossom's imaginary mom, "Blossom Blossoms," Blossom, 1991.

Elizabeth Jessup, "Tough Love," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 1994.

Hadley Roebuck, "Expert Witness," The Cosby Mysteries, 1994.

Rowena, "Sister Act: The Episode," In the House, 1995.

Mrs. Granville, "What the Past Will Bring," Bull, TNT, 2001.

Elizabeth Barney, "The Last Chapter," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 2002.

Interviewee, VH1 the Greatest, VH1, 2003.

Also appeared in episodes of Cool Women, Ghostwriter, PBS, Watch Your Mouth, PBS, and Women Aloud (also known as Funny Ladies ), syndicated.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) The 37th Annual Prime Time Emmy Awards, ABC, 1985.

The 39th Annual Emmy Awards, Fox, 1987.

The 24th Annual NAACP Image Awards, NBC, 1992.

The 35th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1993.

The 3rd Annual Trumpet Awards Ceremony, TBS, 1995.

Presenter, The 28th Annual NAACP Image Awards, Fox, 1997.

Presenter, The 29th NAACP Image Awards, Fox, 1998.

Presenter, The 42nd Annual New York Emmy Awards, WNET, 1999.

Television Work; Movies:

Executive producer (with sister, Debbie Allen), "The Old Settler," PBS Hollywood Presents, PBS, 2001.

Stage Appearances:

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Miss Weaver, off–Broadway production, 1968.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, Roundabout Theatre Company, Ethel Barrymore Theatre, New York City, 1971.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Sister Sukie, The Duplex, Forum Theatre, New York City, 1972.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Guest, The Cherry Orchard, New York Shakespeare Festival, Public Theatre, New York City, 1973.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Munchkin, The Wiz (musical), Roundabout Theatre Company, Majestic Theatre, New York City, 1975.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Zooman and the Sign, Negro Ensemble Company, Theatre Four, New York City, 1980 and 1981.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Janet, Weep Not for Me, Negro Ensemble Company, Theatre Four, 1981.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Female shadow, In an Upstate Motel, Negro Ensemble Company, Theatre Four, 1981.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Title role, Zora, Louis Abrons Arts for Living Center, New Federal Theatre, New York City, 1981.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Member of ensemble and understudy for Deena, Dreamgirls (musical), Roundabout Theatre Company, Imperial Theatre, New York City, 1981.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Second woman, Puppet Play, Negro Ensemble Company, Theatre Four, 1983.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Vickie and Melanie, Sons and Fathers of Sons, Negro Ensemble Company, Theatre Four, 1983.

(As Phylicia Ayers–Allen) Ruth, A Raisin in the Sun, West Side Arts Center, New York City, 1984.

The witch, Into the Woods (musical), Roundabout Theatre Company, Martin Beck Theatre, New York City, 1988.

Phylicia Rashad and Co. (revue), Las Vegas, NV, 1989.

Anita, Jelly's Last Jam (musical), Roundabout Theatre Company, Virginia Theatre, New York City, c. 1992–1993.

Angel Allen, Blues for an Alabama Sky, Alliance Theatre Company, Atlanta, GA, 1996.

Title role, Medea, Alliance Theatre Company, 1998.

The Vagina Monologues, Westside Theatre Downstairs, New York City, between 1999 and 2003, then Los Angeles.

Peggy Clark, Blue, Roundabout Theatre Company, Kreeger Theatre, Arena Stage, Washington, DC, 2000, then Gramercy Theatre, New York City, 2001, later Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, CA, 2002.

Athena, Helen, New York Shakespeare Festival, Martinson Hall, Public Theatre, New York City, 2002.

The Story, New York Shakespeare Festival, Anspacher Theatre, Public Theatre, New York City, 2003.

Nativity: A Life Story, United Palace Theatre, New York City, 2003.

Aunt Esther, Gem of the Ocean, Center Theatre Group, Music Center of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, 2003.

Appeared as Zora Neale Hurston in Everybody's Ruby, New York Shakespeare Festival, Public Theatre; also appeared in The Great Mac Daddy, Negro Ensemble Company; The Sirens, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York City; and To Be Young, Gifted, and Black, New York City; appeared at Huntington Theatre, Boston, MA. Performed opening acts for comedian Bill Cosby at various appearances in Atlantic City, NJ, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas, NV; also appeared in benefit performances.