Phylicia Rashād

Biography

Phylicia Rashād, originally named Ayers-Allen, was born on June 19, 1948, and is a distinguished American actress whose career spans television, film, and theater. She recently completed a three-year tenure as the Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, concluding her role in May 2024. Rashād is celebrated for her powerful performances and has garnered multiple accolades, including two Tony Awards, six Primetime Emmy nominations, and a nod from the Screen Actors Guild.

Rashād is widely recognized for her iconic portrayal of Clair Huxtable on the acclaimed NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992. Her performance earned her two Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1985 and 1986. She reprised her role as Ruth Lucas in Cosby (1996–2000) and voiced Brenda Glover in the animated series Little Bill (1999–2004). Her Emmy recognition continued with nominations for her roles in A Raisin in the Sun (2008) and the drama series This Is Us (2019–2021).

On Broadway, Rashād made history as the first Black actress to receive the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in the 2004 revival of A Raisin in the Sun. She won her second Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Play in 2022 for Dominique Morisseau's Skeleton Crew. Her extensive stage credits include Into the Woods, Jelly's Last Jam, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

In film, she has appeared in notable works such as For Colored Girls, Creed, and its sequels. Additionally, she lent her voice to the Disney-Pixar film Soul. In recent years, Rashād has also directed influential revivals of August Wilson's plays across various prominent theaters and is set to direct the play Purpose in its upcoming Broadway run at the Helen Hayes Theater in 202