Phylicia Rashad

Also Credited As: Phylicia Ayers-Allen

Birth Place: Houston, TX, USA

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Phylicia Rashad 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.

Phylicia Rashad Photos

Phylicia Rashad STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Faye

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare in the Park Revival, 2017
Titania

[New York]
New York City Center Concert Gala, 2016
Old Lady

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater New York Premiere, 2016
Shelah

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2008
Big Mama

Big Mama

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 2007
Queen

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2006
Bernarda Alba

Bernarda Alba

[Broadway]
Benefit Concert, 2005
Performer

Millie Bailey

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2004
Aunt Ester

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Lena Younger

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Pat

[Off-Broadway]
2002
Athena

[Off-Broadway]
2001
Peggy Clark

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 2000
Peggy Clark

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

Performer [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1999
Zora Neale Hurston

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1992
Anita [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Witch [Replacement]

Phylicia Rashad Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director

Phylicia Rashad 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

Phylicia Rashad 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

Phylicia Rashad 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

Phylicia Rashad Videos

Phylicia Rashad News


Video: First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Phylicia Rashad-Directed PURPOSE

Get a first look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad. Check out the video!

THE COLOR PURPLE, Colman Domingo, and More Take Home NAACP Image Awards - Full List of Winners!

The 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards were announced during a ceremony on Saturday, March 16th. See the full list of winners here!

Video: Watch a Trailer for Steppenwolf's PURPOSE, Directed by Phylicia Rashad

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has released a trailer for their production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE. Watch video footage here!

Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE World Premiere Extends Through Late April

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ epic family drama Purpose has added one additional week of performances. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's PURPOSE in Rehearsal

Check out rehearsal photos for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, here!

Amas Musical Theatre To Honor Patricia Birch And Len Cariou At 55th Annual Benefit Gala Concert

Amas Musical Theatre will celebrate its 55th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Baruch Performing Arts Center.

Industry Pro Newsletter: North Carolina Theater Files for Chapter 11, Second Stage Gives Up the Kiser

The restructuring of the industry continues - in North Carolina, Raleigh has lost one of its major institutions (for the time being) as North Carolina Theater suspends their 2024 season and files for bankruptcy. The labor movement continues to notch wins in New York, as the Atlantic Theater workers have voted to join IATSE.

Looking at the Lack of Theater Journalism and Saying Goodbye to Lynda Gravátt

We’ve all heard about the shuttering of media outlets and the departure of entertainment journalists from publications still in business. In the last couple of months, I’ve been thinking a lot about how the dearth of theater coverage is changing our perception of the art form.

Photos: First Look at On the Verge Theatre's TIED

In honor of Black History Month, On the Verge Theatre is presenting Tied, a one-man play by Crystal Rae on-stage February 22 - 25, 2024 at Bering Church. Check out production photos here!

Meet the Cast of THE OUTSIDERS, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

The Broadway premiere of The Outsiders, the new musical based on the novel by S.E. Hinton & Francis Ford Coppola’s film, begins previews tonight, Saturday, March 16. Meet the cast of The Outsiders here!

Photos: Phylicia Rashad Directs the World Premiere of PURPOSE By Branden Jacobs- Jenkins At Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will continue its 48th season with the world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad. See photos of the company! Purpose will play March 14 – April 21, 2024 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater.

TIED to Play On The Verge Theatre This Month

In honor of Black History Month, On the Verge Theatre will present Tied, a one-man play by Crystal Rae on-stage February 22 - 25, 2024. Learn more about the production here!

The 2024 George London Award Winners Have Been Announced

The 2024 George London Award winners have been announced, including soprano Katerina Burton, mezzo-sopranos Emily Treigle and Erin Wagner, tenor Samuel White, and baritones Benjamin Dickerson and Darren Drone.

Listen: Hear Billy Porter & Luke Evans Sing 'Always Be My Man' From OUR SON Film

The song showcases the vocal talents of both Porter and Evans, and is produced by 5x Grammy-winning musician, Robert Glasper. Written by Billy Porter, Conner Reeves (Tina Turner, Joe Cocker), and Joe Killington (Dap Kings, James Smith), the song is primed to be a LGBTQ+ wedding anthem for years to come.

Video: Glenn Davis on PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Watch as Steppenwolf Artistic Director Glenn Davis talks about bringing Purpose to Steppenwolf. 'That's what Steppenwolf does best!' Davis can’t say enough about the world premiere of PURPOSE and the incredible lineup of artists assembling to create this incendiary theatrical event.

ABC Owned Television Stations Present OUR AMERICA: IN THE BLACK

ABC Owned Television Stations presents 'Our America: In the Black', a new documentary that explores the experiences and perspectives of Black Americans in various aspects of life. Join us as we delve into the challenges, triumphs, and contributions of the Black community. Watch a video trailer now!

Bryan Terrell Clark and Valisia LeKae to Join The New York Pops for HITSVILLE: CELEBRATING MOTOWN

 The New York Pops will celebrate the hits of Motown on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall joined by guest artists Bryan Terrell Clark and Valisia LeKae.

THE COLOR PURPLE Tops NAACP Image Award Nominations - Full List of Nominees!

The NAACP Image Award Nominations have been announced, with The Color Purple leading with a total of 16 nominations, with nods for Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and more. Check out the full list of nominations now!

Submissions Now Open for Theatre Aspen's SOLO FLIGHTS Festival

Theatre Aspen is now accepting submissions through Friday, April 12 for the organization’s fifth annual one-person show festival, Solo Flights.

Video: Phylicia Rashad on PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad returns to Steppenwolf to direct the world premiere of PURPOSE, a epic family drama by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. In all new video, Rashad discusses this powerful show, the exciting process and why she's glad to be back at Steppenwolf.

Phylicia Rashad 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?

Phylicia Rashad has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout her career, including Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "Skeleton Crew," Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for "Skeleton Crew," and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "Skeleton Crew." She has also been nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for "Skeleton Crew" and a Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for "Head of Passes." Additionally, she received nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play (The Lortels) for "Head of Passes" and Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for "Every Tongue Confess." Rashad's nominations include 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," and Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "A Raisin in the Sun." She was also nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for her role in "A Raisin in the Sun." Rashad's nominations further include 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?

Phylicia Rashad has won several awards for her performances in various plays. These include the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for "Skeleton Crew," the Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play for "Head of Passes," the BroadwayWorld Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play for "A Raisin In The Sun," the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress - Play for "A Raisin in the Sun," and another Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for "A Raisin in the Sun."

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