Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Phylicia Rashad Biography

Birth Name:Phylicia Ayers-Allen

Birth Place:Houston, Texas, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer, Director

Fast Facts

Became the first African-American actress to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her performance in the revival of "A Raisin in the Sun․"
Has served on the board of directors for the Center for African American Studied at Princeton University
Was honored at the Women of Power Legacy Awards in 2017
Graduated magna cum laude from Howard University
Has received honorary doctorate degrees from Spelman College, Fordham University, Carnegie Mellon University and Brown University
Was an original cast member of the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls" as the understudy for Sheryl Lee Ralph
Quote: "It's a lack of imagination and understanding․ But you know what? People do what they know to do and they do the best they can․ People are just doing what they can․․․That seems to be the nature of the creative world․ It's not stagnant․"
Best known for her role as Clair Hanks Huxtable in "The Cosby Show․"
Sports commentator Ahmad Rashad, her husband of 16 years, proposed to her on live television during a Thanksgiving Day football game, and she accepted on air during halftime
Possesses the ability to speak Spanish fluently

Awards

1985Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1988ACE-Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1988Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
1998Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2000TV Guide Award-Favorite Actress in a Comedy: nominated
2002AFI Award-Actor of the Year - Female - TV Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
2002Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Actress: nominated
2002Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2008Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actress: nominated
2008OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2008Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2009Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: winner
2010Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actress of the Decade: nominated
2011Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2011Black Reel-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2011Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2011Impact Award-: winner
2013Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2013Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2013Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2016All Def Movie Award-Best Actress: nominated
2016Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Performer, Drama Series: nominated
2018Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actress, Drama Series: winner
2019Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actress, Drama Series: winner
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress: nominated
2019INOCA TV-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2019OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2020Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actress, Drama Series: nominated
2020OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2021Black Reel-Outstanding Voice Performance: nominated
2021Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actress, Drama Series: winner
2021Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
2021Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture): nominated
2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2023Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Drama Series: nominated
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy Series: winner
2024Gracie-Actress in a Supporting Role - Made for TV Movie: winner
2024Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: winner