Phylicia Rashad’s net worth is approximately $55 million as of 2024. Forbes named her one of the ten highest-paid television actresses in the late 1980s.
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Who is Phylicia Rashad?
Phylicia Rashad is an acclaimed American actress and singer theater director and performer best known for her lead role as Claire Huxtable in The The Cosby Show.
Throughout her decades-long career, Rashad has received many prestigious awards, including a Tony Award, multiple Emmy nominations, seven NAACP Image Awards, and was even honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008.
Phylicia Rashad Net Worth (Image Source: Google)
Some key facts about Phylicia Rashad
Full name: Phylicia Ayers-Allen Rashād
Born June 19, 1948 in Houston, Texas.
Parents: Andrew Arthur Allen and Vivian Elizabeth Allen
Siblings: Andrew Arthur Allen Jr., Albert Allen and Cynthia Allen
Children: 5 (William Lancelot Bowles Jr., Condola Phylea Rashād, Ahmad Rashād Jr.)
Spouses: William Lancelot Bowles (1972–1975), Victor Willis (1978–1982), Ahmad Rashād (1985–2001)
Education: Howard University (BFA)
Throughout a career spanning five decades, Phylicia Rashad has left an indelible mark on stage, television and film alike. His best-known acting credits include:
The Cosby Show (1984-1992) as Claire Huxtable
Creed (2015) and *Creed II (2018) as Mary Anne Creed
Grey’s Anatomy (2006), as Diana Nealson
Empire (guest role 2015-2020) as Diana DuBois
This Is Us (2019-present) as Carol Clarke
In addition to her extensive acting resume, Rashad also has several directing credits, primarily focused on Broadway theater. Most notably, she won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actress for her performance in A Raisin in the Sun.
The early days and background of Phylicia Rashad
Phylicia Rashad was born in 1948 in Houston, Texas. His mother was a poet and art director and his father was a prominent dentist.
Growing up, Rashad fell in love with acting and theater at a young age. She commented: “Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be on stage and entertain people.”
Rashad studied theater and dance at the renowned Howard University in Washington, DC. It was there that he met his lifelong friend Debbie Allen, with whom he later co-starred in Fame. At Howard, Rashad also joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority like her mother before her.
After graduating, Phylicia began taking the stage, performing with the Negro Ensemble Company in New York.
Phylicia Rashad’s prolific career
Featured role on The Cosby Show
Rashad’s big break came when she landed the role of Claire Huxtable on *The Cosby Show* alongside Bill Cosby from 1984.
At first, I only intended to stay in the program for 1 year. However, her outstanding performances led her to star in the show for its duration until 1992.
Over the show’s 8 seasons, spanning 201 episodes, Phylicia Rashad cemented her legacy playing matriarch Claire Huxtable.
He received 2 Emmy nominations for this career-defining role. Many critics praised the natural warmth and humor she brought to the character and her on-screen chemistry with her television husband, Bill Cosby.
Several key highlights from his career on The Cosby Show:
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1985, 1986)
Awards chosen by the public
Favorite Female Performer on a New TV Show (1985)
NAACP Image Awards
Best Actress in a Comedy Series (1985, 1988)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1986–1987, 1989–1992)
Later roles on stage and screen
While she is best known as Claire Huxtable, Phylicia Rashad has continued to work steadily since The Cosby Show ended in a variety of other television, film, and Broadway roles.
Television
Some other highlights from his television career:
Lincoln Heights (2006-2008) as Ruth ‘Candy’ Lucas
Empire (2015-2020) as Diana Dubois
David Makes the Man (2019) as Dr. Woods-Trap
This Is Us (2019–present) as matriarch Carol Clarke
Movie
Selected film credits include:
Creed (2015), as Mary Anne Creed
Creed II (2018), as Mary Anne Creed
Tyler Perry presents Peeples (2013) as Grace Peeples
Good Deeds (2012), as Wilimena
Theater
In addition to his more than 40 years of theater acting and directing, some of his recent stage highlights include:
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008), as Big Mama
Fences (2010) as Rose Maxson
A Raisin in the Sun (2014), as Lena Younger
He also directed revivals of August Wilson’s classic works at the New York Shakespeare Theater and the Mark Taper Forum.
Phylicia Rashad Awards and Achievements
Some of Phylicia Rashad’s numerous awards and honors throughout her prolific career:
emmy awards
Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: *The Cosby Show* (nominations in 1985 and 1986)
Tony Awards
Best Actress in a Play: A Raisin in the Sun (win in 2004)
NAACP Image Awards
7 awards for Best Actress in a Comedy Series: The Cosby Show
Including several record-breaking nominations at the ceremony, Rashad has received more than 15 NAACP Image Award nominations in total.
Others
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (2008)
Arab-American Filmmaker Award (2010)
Trailblazer Award: McDonald’s 365 Black Awards (2021)
Honoris Causa Doctorates from multiple Universities
Phylicia Rashad’s Personal Life
In her personal life, Phylicia Rashad has been married three times over the years:
William Lancelot Bowles, Jr. (1972-1975)
Victor Willis (1978-1982)
NFL sportscaster Ahmad Rashād (1985-2001)
Rashad eloped and married an NFL player [Ahmad Rashad] in 1985 after meeting him on the set of The Cosby Show. However, the high-profile couple divorced in 2001 after 16 years together.
Phylicia RashadChildren
Phylicia Rashad has five children in total from her previous relationships:
William Lancelot Bowles III
Condola Rashad (actress)
Ahmad Rashad Jr.,
Andrew Arthur Allen (died as a baby)
Vivian Elizabeth Ayers (actress)
His daughter Condola has followed in his footsteps with an acting career in theater and on shows like Billions and Sex and the City.
Rashad faced controversy amid sexual abuse allegations against her The Cosby Show co-star Bill Cosby from 2015.
He publicly supported Cosby during his legal troubles, which lasted several years until his release from prison in 2021.
Currently single, the 75-year-old award-winning actress lives in New York and continues to act while mentoring young black actors and directors.
Rashad is also active in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and even served as master of ceremonies at its 2022 induction ceremony.
Phylicia Rashad’s Net Worth
According to various reports, Phylicia Rashad’s net worth is approximately $55 million as of 2023. Forbes named her one of the ten highest-paid television actresses in the late 1980s.
Most of his wealth comes from his starring role on The Cosby Show. Following the show’s immense popularity in the ’80s and ’90s, she was one of the highest-paid women on television, earning approximately $70,000 per episode in the final seasons of the Cosby Show.
Taking inflation into account, his maximum salary on the Cosby Show is equivalent to more than $180,000 per episode in today’s dollars. With 201 episodes spanning 8 seasons, Rashad amassed significant wealth from that iconic role.
Furthermore, his successful Broadway career and constant acting roles have added to his generous current net worth of $55 million.
Rashad also made a lot of money from endorsements while on The Cosby Show, including contracts with companies like Carnival Cruise Line and All Dyes in the 1980s.
According to financial reports, she has owned several luxurious homes over the years, including a penthouse on Sutton Place in New York, which is probably worth 8 figures today.
While extremely wealthy, Rashad has also been involved in philanthropy over the years. Along with her daughter Condola, Phylicia co-founded a non-profit theater company called Something Positive, Inc.
Phylicia Rashad Net Worth: Frequently Asked Questions
What was Phylicia Rashad’s salary on The Cosby Show?
At the peak of The Cosby Show’s popularity, Rashad earned around $70,000 per episode in the final seasons, in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Taking inflation into account, this equates to more than $180,000 per episode. in today’s dollars.
How many awards has Phylicia Rashad won?
Throughout her prolific career, Phylicia Rashad has won prestigious awards including a Tony Award, 7 NAACP Image Awards, received over 15 Emmy nominations (with a win in 1985), and was even honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk. Hollywood fame in 2008.
3. How many children does Phylicia Rashad have?
Phylicia Rashad has a total of five children from her previous marriages: William Lancelot Bowles III, Condola Rashad, Ahmad Rashad Jr., Andrew Arthur Allen (died as an infant), and Vivian Elizabeth Ayers.
4. What other notable roles has Phylicia Rashad had outside of The Cosby Show?
Some of her other major acting credits include the films Creed and Creed II, television shows such as Empire, David Makes Man and This Is Us, as well as extensive work in theater productions such as A Raisin in the Sun and revivals of plays by August Wilson.
Is Phylicia Rashad still acting today?
Yes, at 75 years old, Phylicia Rashad is still active in her career. She currently has a recurring role as Carol Clarke on the hit NBC drama This Is Us. Rashad also mentors young black actors and remains involved with organizations such as her alma mater, Howard University.
Conclusion
Phylicia Rashad has amassed an impressive net worth throughout her illustrious acting career spanning over five decades.
Estimated to be worth around $55 million in 2024, most of her wealth comes from her iconic role as Clair Huxtable in the hit comedy The Cosby Show in the 1980s and 1990s.
Beyond the earnings from that show, Rashad has consistently worked in television, film, and theater, racking up awards like the Tony and several Emmy Awards along the way.
While his personal life has had its ups and downs, his immense talent and longevity in the entertainment industry for over 40 years has allowed him to amass a lavish multimillion-dollar net worth and leave behind a lasting legacy.