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Phylicia Rashad Headshot

Phylicia Rashad

Also Credited As: Phylicia Ayers-Allen

Birth Place: Houston, TX, USA

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BIO

Phylicia Rashad has brought laughter to millions of television viewers around the world, moved theatre-goers to tears, thrilled movie fans, offered new insights to students by teaching master classes at renowned learning institutions that include Howard University, Julliard, and Carnegie Mellon, served on boards of prestigious organizations, and broken new ground as a director. She is one of the entertainment world's most extraordinary performing artists. She became a household name when she portrayed “Claire Huxtable” on The Cosby Show, earning numerous honors and awards for over two decades. She teamed up with Bill Cosby in later years on television as “Ruth Lucas” on Cosby.



She portrayed the role of Dr. Vanessa Young in the NBC series, Do No Harm. She has also been a force on the stage, appearing both on and off-Broadway, often in projects that showcase her musical talent such as "Jelly's Last Jam, "Into The Woods, "Dreamgirls" and "The Wiz" as well as dramatic roles in August Osage County (“Violet Weston”), in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (“Big Mama” -- a role that she reprised on the London Stage), in August Wilson’s Gem Of The Ocean, (“Aunt Ester” --Tony Award nomination), and in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline (“Queen Britannia”) at Lincoln Center.

She received both the Drama Desk and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play, as “Lena Younger” in the Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun. She appeared in Tyler Perry's Good Deeds, and starred in his highly acclaimed film version of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf. She received Critics’ rave reviews for her directorial debut at the Seattle Repertory Theatre with August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, and for The Ebony Repertory Theatre’s production of A Raisin in the Sun in the spring of 2011. She recently directed August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

She is the first recipient of the Denzel Washington Chair in Theatre at Fordham University, and has received Honorary Doctorates from Spelman College, Fordham University, Carnegie Mellon University, Howard University, Providence College, Morris Brown College, Clark Atlanta University, Barber Scotia College, St. Augustine College, and Brown University. She serves on the Advisory Board of the PRASAD Project and the Board of Directors of True Colors Theatre, the Broadway Inspirational Voices, The Actors Center, the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University, and the ADEPT Center, which is steering the restoration of the historic Brainerd Institute. A native of Houston, Texas, she graduated magna cum laude from Howard University.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Skeleton Crew Skeleton Crew
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Faye
A Midsummer Night's Dream A Midsummer Night's Dream
[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare in the Park Revival, 2017
Titania
Sunday in the Park with George Sunday in the Park with George
[New York]
New York City Center Concert Gala, 2016
Old Lady
Head of Passes Head of Passes
[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater New York Premiere, 2016
Shelah
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2008
Big Mama
Big Mama
Cymbeline Cymbeline
[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 2007
Queen
Bernarda Alba
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2006
Bernarda Alba
Bernarda Alba
A Wonderful Life
[Broadway]
Benefit Concert, 2005
Performer
Millie Bailey
Gem of the Ocean Gem of the Ocean
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2004
Aunt Ester
A Raisin in the Sun A Raisin in the Sun
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Lena Younger
The Story
[Off-Broadway]
2003
Pat
Helen
[Off-Broadway]
2002
Athena
Blue
[Off-Broadway]
2001
Peggy Clark
Blue
[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 2000
Peggy Clark
The Vagina Monologues
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]
Performer [Replacement]
Everybody's Ruby
[Off-Broadway]
1999
Zora Neale Hurston
Jelly's Last Jam
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1992
Anita [Replacement]
Into the Woods
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Witch [Replacement]

Productions

PurposePurpose
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Director
Our Lady of 121st StreetOur Lady of 121st Street
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director

Movies

Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored
[ 1995 ] Ma Ponk
Loving Jezebel
[ 1999 ] Alice Melville
The Visit
[ 2000 ] Dr. Coles
Rwanda Rising
[ 2007 ] Historical Narration
Frankie & Alice
[ 2010 ] Edna
Just Wright
[ 2010 ] Ella McKnight
For Colored Girls
[ 2010 ] Gilda
Good Deeds
[ 2012 ] Wilimena
Gods Behaving Badly
[ 2013 ] Demeter
Creed
[ 2015 ] Mary Anne Creed
Creed II
[ 2018 ] Mary Anne Creed
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
[ 2020 ] Grandmother Journey
Soul
[ 2020 ] Libba
Black Box
[ 2020 ] Lillian
A Fall from Grace
[ 2020 ] Sarah
tick, tick... BOOM!
[ 2021 ] Sunday Legend #12
Creed III
[ 2023 ] Mary Anne Creed
The Beekeeper
[ 2024 ] Eloise Parker

TV Shows

A Different World
Clair Huxtable
Cosby
Ruth Lucas
David Makes Man
Dr. Woods-Trap
Empire
Diana DuBois
Little Bill
Brenda, Brenda Glover
Psych
Winnifred Guster
The Cleveland Show
Dee Dee Tubbs
The Cosby Show
Clair Huxtable
This Is Us
Carol Clarke
Touched by an Angel
Elizabeth Jessup
Stranded
Mary
Curses!
[ 2023-2024 ] Georgia
Diarra from Detroit
Vonda

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Phylicia Rashad, Skeleton Crew

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Distinguished Performance Awards

Phylicia Rashad, Skeleton Crew

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Phylicia Rashad, Skeleton Crew


winner
Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Phylicia Rashad, Skeleton Crew

Drama League Awards - 2016 - Distinguished Performance Award

Phylicia Rashad, Head of Passes


winner
The Lortels - 2016 - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play

Phylicia Rashad, Head of Passes

Helen Hayes Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play

Phylicia Rashadevery tongue confess

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Phylicia Rashad, Gem of the Ocean


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2004 - Best Leading Actress in a Play

Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin In The Sun


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun


winner
Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun

The Lortels - 2002 - Outstanding Lead Actress

Phylicia Rashad, Blue

Helen Hayes Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play

Phylicia RashadBlues for an Alabama Sky

Videos

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News


Video: Olivia Puckett Shares Her Experience Working on the All-Female ALL NIGHTER Photo
Video: Olivia Puckett Shares Her Experience Working on the All-Female ALL NIGHTER
by Survival Jobs - Mar 20, 2025

This video features Olivia Puckett who is currently understudying all five roles in the new limited engagement 12 week off-Broadway play, All Nighter. During the episode Olivia dives into her experience working alongside the all female cast plus the female director Jaki Bradley and female playwright Natalie Margolin.
Video: Inside Opening Night of PURPOSE on Broadway Photo
Video: Inside Opening Night of PURPOSE on Broadway
by Joey Mervis - Mar 19, 2025

The stars came out to celebrate Monday at the Hayes Theatre, where Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's new play Purpose celebrated its opening night. Watch in this video as we take you inside the opening night festivities.
Photos: PURPOSE Stars on the Opening Night Red Carpet Photo
Photos: PURPOSE Stars on the Opening Night Red Carpet
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 18, 2025

Purpose officially opened last night, March 18, at the Helen Hayes Theater, featuring Phylicia Rashad making her Broadway directorial debut. Get a first look at the stars of the production on the red carpet here!
Photos: PURPOSE Takes Opening Night Bows Photo
Photos: PURPOSE Takes Opening Night Bows
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 18, 2025

Purpose officially opened last night, March 18, at the Helen Hayes Theater, featuring Phylicia Rashad making her Broadway directorial debut. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from opening night here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 18, 2025 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 18, 2025
by - Mar 18, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 18, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Review Roundup: Phylicia Rashad Directs PURPOSE By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' On Broadwa Photo
Review Roundup: Phylicia Rashad Directs PURPOSE By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 18, 2025

The great Phylicia Rashad makes her Broadway directorial debut, with PURPOSE by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, opening tonight at the Helen Hayes Theater. Find out how the critics felt about their visit with the influential and dysfunctional Jasper family on Broadway. Read the reviews!
Photos: First Look at Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE Photo
Photos: First Look at Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 17, 2025

Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and directed by Phylicia Rashad in her Broadway directorial debut, PURPOSE officially opens tonight, Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Helen Hayes Theater. Check out photos of the cast in action here!
Video: PURPOSE Arrives on Broadway Photo
Video: PURPOSE Arrives on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 17, 2025

Purpose is getting ready to celebrate it's opening night! Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and directed by Phylicia Rashad in her Broadway directorial debut, PURPOSE officially opens tonight, Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Helen Hayes Theater. Check out video highlights of the cast in action here.
How Glenn Davis Shepherded PURPOSE on Its Path to Broadway Photo
How Glenn Davis Shepherded PURPOSE on Its Path to Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 16, 2025

Glenn Davis had a huge part to play in the Purpose's journey, not only as a cast member in Chicago and now on Broadway, but as Steppenwolf's co-Artistic Director and the person behind pushing along its development in recent years.
Video: Phylicia Rashad Talks Directing Broadway's PURPOSE, Praises Collaborators Photo
Video: Phylicia Rashad Talks Directing Broadway's PURPOSE, Praises Collaborators
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 12, 2025

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Purpose is now in previews at the Helen Hayes Theatre, marking the Broadway directorial debut of legendary performer Phylicia Rashad. The director recently visited Sherri Shepherd's talk show to discuss her experience helming the new production.
Gateways Festival Orchestra Returns To Carnegie Hall In April Photo
Gateways Festival Orchestra Returns To Carnegie Hall In April
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 11, 2025

Gateways Music Festival in association with Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester celebrates the transformative power of Black classical artistry with Spring Festival 2025 in Rochester, NY (April 21–24) and New York City (April 24–27).
Reading of Chadwick Boseman's DEEP AZURE Set For This Month Photo
Reading of Chadwick Boseman's DEEP AZURE Set For This Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 7, 2025

A reading of Chadwick Boseman's Deep Azure will take place on March 27 at 7:30 PM at Washington, D.C.'s Howard Theatre. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University.
Photos: Inside BTC's 2nd Annual BUILDING THE CHANGE Gala Photo
Photos: Inside BTC's 2nd Annual BUILDING THE CHANGE Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 5, 2025

On Monday, BTC held its 2nd Annual “Building the Change” Gala at the Rainbow Room in New York City. The evening honored Phylicia Rashad. See photos from the event here!
Up on the Marquee: PURPOSE Photo
Up on the Marquee: PURPOSE
by Jennifer Broski - Feb 27, 2025

Purpose is now on Broadway! Written by Tony Award-Winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Two-Time Tony Award-Winner Phylicia Rashad, PURPOSE stars Two-time Tony Award nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix, Jon Michael Hill, Glenn Davis, Alana Arenas, and Tony Award-Winner Kara Young. Check out photos of the new marquee at the Hayes Theatre
Broadway Inspirational Voices Will Host CHOOSE YES! 30th Anniversary Fundraiser Photo
Broadway Inspirational Voices Will Host CHOOSE YES! 30th Anniversary Fundraiser
by Stephi Wild - Feb 27, 2025

Broadway Inspirational Voices has announced its annual fundraiser concert, honoring 30 years of support and strengthening communities in need through arts, education and outreach programming.
Photos: Vineyard Theatre Celebrates Joe Morton at 2025 Gala Photo
Photos: Vineyard Theatre Celebrates Joe Morton at 2025 Gala
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 26, 2025

Earlier this week, the Vineyard Theatre celebrated its 2025 Gala, honoring Emmy Award-winning actor and longtime Vineyard artist Joe Morton. Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young hosted the evening. Check out photos from inside the special night!
Anika Poitier and David Belafonte to Join BTC 'Building the Change' Gala Photo
Anika Poitier and David Belafonte to Join BTC 'Building the Change' Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 25, 2025

Anika Poitier, daughter of Sidney Poitier, and David Belafonte, son of Harry Belafonte, will attend the 2nd Annual BTC “Building the Change” Gala as special guests. Learn more about the gala and see how to attend.
Meet the Cast of PURPOSE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of PURPOSE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2025

Steppenwolf’s Purpose begins previews tonight, February 25, ahead of an opening on March 17th, and running through July 6, 2025 at the Helen Hayes Theater. Meet the cast of Purpose here!
PURPOSE Will Offer Digital and General Rush Tickets Photo
PURPOSE Will Offer Digital and General Rush Tickets
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2025

The Broadway production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins new play, PURPOSE, directed by Phylicia Rashad, has announced its Digital and General Rush Policies. Find out how to get discount tickets for Purpose here!
Judy Kuhn, Michael R. Jackson, Kathryn Erbe And More Added To Vineyard Theatre 2025 G Photo
Judy Kuhn, Michael R. Jackson, Kathryn Erbe And More Added To Vineyard Theatre 2025 Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 22, 2025

Michael R. Jackson, Judy Kuhn, Katie Erbe, Jen Tullock, Tina Satter, Sam Kissajukian, Josiah Davis, Sarah Gancher and Jared Mezzocchi have been added to the line-up of stars set for Vineyard Theatre's 2025 Gala.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Phylicia Rashad been in?

Phylicia Rashad has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

How many West End shows has Phylicia Rashad been in?

Phylicia Rashad has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Phylicia Rashad been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Skeleton Crew, Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for Skeleton Crew, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Skeleton Crew, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Skeleton Crew, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Head of Passes, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play (The Lortels) for Head of Passes, Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for every tongue confess, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Gem of the Ocean, Best Leading Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for A Raisin In The Sun, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for Blue and Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for Blues for an Alabama Sky.

What awards has Phylicia Rashad won?

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Skeleton Crew; Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play (The Lortels) for Head of Passes; Best Leading Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for A Raisin In The Sun; Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun; and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun.

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