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.”
Where did Phylicia Rashad go to college and high school? Did Phylicia Rashad go to film school?
Ayers-Allen continued her education at Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1970 with honours. She was inducted into the Alpha Chapter of the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha while there.
In addition to playing Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, Ayers-Allen served as Sheryl Lee Ralph’s understudy until she left the production in 1982 after being rejected as Ralph’s full-time successor. Her theatre performance initially gained her recognition. For three and a half years, she performed as a Munchkin in The Wiz.
