80's TV: Catching Up with the Stars of A Different World

A Different World is an 80's classic TV sitcom. The show is a spin off from the iconic 80's pop culture classic, "Cosby Show." Lisa Bonet's character, Denise Huxtable, went off to Hillman College, and the show was supposed to chronicle her life away from the Huxtable home.

Life at Hillman for their second oldest child did not go as initially planned by the Huxtables, because Denise flaked out and dropped out of school (ever staying true to her character,). Hillman completely changed after her departure - and it changed for the better.

Lisa Bonet

After season one of A Different World, Lisa Bonet (Denise Huxtable) rejoined the cast of the "Cosby Show," after she announced that she was pregnant with Lenny Kravitz' child; her stay there was short lived. Eventually, Bill Cosby axed her over "creative differences" (whatever that means - the rumor mills say that old Bill was ticked over her X-rated, bloody romp with the devil in Angel Heart (1987)).

After her departure from the popular 80s tv show, she embarked on the usual low budget fare. Her biggest exposure since her A Different World days was opposite Will Smith in Enemy of the State (1998). To date, Lisa Bonet's most memorable role (besides Denise Huxtable) has was as Epiphany Proudfoot in Angel Heart 1987.

Jasmine Guy

Since the show ended, Jasmine Guy (Whitley Gilbert) has kept herself busy with guest appearances and two meaty roles on Touched by an Angel, and Dead Like Me. She also helped Tupac Shakur's mother pen her autobiography, Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary (Afeni Shakur is an ex Black Panther, philanthropist, and political activist).

Currently, the 48 year old actress is still just as beautiful as ever, and she can be found on the Broadway stage, and she also frequents the Atlanta theater circuit as well. Jasmine Guy is recently divorced from her husband of ten years, and is the mother of one child.

Kadeem Hardison

Kadeem Hardison played Duane Wayne. Kadeem's has guest starred on many television shows since his time on A Different World. Most recently (2010), he appeared in a minor role on Ghost Whisperer. The familiar black actor currently has a couple of works in production, but nothing major.

Sinbad

Before the show started, Sinbad (Walter Oakes/Coach) was already a mild success as a stand-up comedian. After the show, his career improved. He had a starring role in Houseguest (1995), and since then, he has made regular appearances on the stand-up circuit, television shows, and Tom Joyner sponsored events.

Marisa Tomei

Marisa Tomei portrayed Maggie on season one of A Different World. As far as critical success goes, Marisa Tomei gets the most points...She won an Academy Award for her role in My Cousin Vinny (1992). Tomei has been a constant on television and in films since the end of the show.

Dawnn Lewis

Dawnn Lewis has had several guest star roles on television shows throughout the years. She has also done voice work for animated shows like The Boondocks, Futurama, and The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. She is currently cast in several film and TV projects to be within the coming months.

Cree Summer

After the end of the show, Cree Summer (Winifred "Freddie" Brooks) went on to become a prominent voice actor. Even before the show she had a lengthy voice talent career, but after the show ended she completely exploded. The list of her voice over work is as long as a novel.

One of Cree's biggest roles has been as Susie Carmichael on The Rugrats. She also has a long list of video game voice spots as well. Currently, she is slated to appear in the upcoming animated film, Strange Frame: Love & Sax (2011) alongside her former A Different World alum, Dawnn Lewis.

Charnele Brown

Darryl M. Bell (Ron Johnson), Ajai Sanders(Gina), Charnele Brown (Kimberly Reese) had a couple of guest spots on shows like Martin, Living Single, and My Wife and Kids, but her career has been sparse. She has been missing in action for the last three years.

Karen Malina White

After the show ended, Karen Malina White (Charmaine) went on to have a decent television career with several key roles on Hanging with Mr. Cooper and Malcolm and Eddie. Karen also worked as a lead voice actor on the Proud Family as Dijonay Jones.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Soon after A Different World ended, Jada Pinkett Smith started to get decent sized film roles in movies like Jason's Lyric(1994), The Inkwell (1994), and Set it Off (1996). Then in 2003, she won the role of Niobe on The Matrix Reloaded (2003), and things have been on a steady incline since then.

Not only is she married to one of the hottest and biggest name stars in Hollywood (Will Smith), but her two children Jaden Smith and Willow Smith have become stars in their own right. Marisa Tomei might have taken the Oscar home, but Jada Pinkett Smith is the most popular and currently relevant actor of all the A Different World Alumni.

Famous Recurring Cast Members

Diahann Carroll (Whitley's Mother), Patti Labelle (Dwayne's Mother), Mary Alice (Lettie), Loretta Devine (Stevie), Jennifer Lewis (Dean Davenport), Glynn Turman (Col. Taylor), and Lou Myers (Mr. Gaines) have all starred in semi-recurring roles on a Different World - they were all stars before they appeared on the show, and they are all still currently active in Hollywood in one capacity or another.