Phylicia Rashad, née Ayers-Allen, was born in the United States on June 19, 1948. She is an actress, singer, and director who serves as dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts. She was nominated for an Emmy in 1985 and 1986 for her performance as Clair Huxtable on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992).
She also appeared on Cosby as Ruth Lucas (1996–2000). The 2010 NAACP Image Awards labelled her “The Mother of the Black Community.”
Phylicia Rashad parents: Meet Vivian Allen, Andrew Arthur Allen Sr.
On June 19, 1948, Phylicia Ayers-Allen was born in Houston, Texas.
Her mother, Vivian Ayers, is an author, poet, dramatist, academic, and publisher who has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.
Orthodontist Andrew Arthur Allen was her father. Her siblings include Debbie Allen, an actress, dancer, and director; her brother Hugh Allen, a real estate banker in Charlotte, North Carolina; and her brother Tex (Andrew Arthur Allen Jr.), a jazz musician. When Phylicia was six years old, their parents split up.
