7 Shocking Real-Life Updates On The Cosby Show Cast: Who Just Passed Away And Who Won A Tony In 2025?

The Huxtable family remains one of the most iconic, influential, and complex ensembles in television history. Decades after The Cosby Show left the air in 1992, the public's fascination with its stars—Dr. Cliff Huxtable, Clair, and their five children—has never faded, but their real-life paths have diverged dramatically. The legacy of the show is now inseparable from the controversies surrounding its lead actor, creating a complicated backdrop for the cast's careers. As of , the Huxtable family’s real-life story has been marked by a tragic and recent loss, a major Broadway win, and starkly different professional trajectories.

From groundbreaking directing careers and major Disney deals to a reclusive private life and the highly publicized legal battles of its patriarch, the lives of the actors who played the Huxtables continue to make headlines. This is the definitive, up-to-the-minute look at where the cast of The Cosby Show is now, detailing their latest projects, personal milestones, and the most recent, heartbreaking news.

The Huxtable Family: A List of Cast Members and Recent Biographies

The core cast of The Cosby Show, which ran from 1984 to 1992, created a cultural phenomenon. Here is a look at the main actors and their essential biographical details, followed by their current status as of 2025.

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• Bill Cosby (Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable):
  • Full Name: William Henry Cosby Jr.
  • Born: July 12, 1937 (Age 87 as of 2024)
  • Role: Patriarch, an obstetrician.
  • Post-Cosby Career Highlights: Cosby (1996–2000), comedy touring, legal battles.
• Phylicia Rashad (Clair Huxtable):
  • Full Name: Phylicia Ayers-Allen
  • Born: June 19, 1948 (Age 76 as of 2024)
  • Role: Matriarch, a successful lawyer.
  • Post-Cosby Career Highlights: Tony Award-winning actress and director, Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University.
• Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theodore "Theo" Huxtable):
  • Full Name: Malcolm-Jamal Warner
  • Born: August 18, 1970
  • Role: The only son, a college student.
  • Post-Cosby Career Highlights: Malcolm & Eddie, The Resident, Grammy-nominated musician.
• Lisa Bonet (Denise Huxtable):
  • Full Name: Lisa Michelle Boney
  • Born: November 16, 1967 (Age 57 as of 2025)
  • Role: The second-oldest daughter, a free spirit who later starred in the spin-off A Different World.
  • Post-Cosby Career Highlights: Film roles in High Fidelity, Enemy of the State, and TV roles in Ray Donovan.
• Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa Huxtable):
  • Full Name: Tempestt Bledsoe
  • Born: August 1, 1973 (Age 51 as of 2024)
  • Role: The second-youngest daughter, known for her academic struggles and eventual marriage.
  • Post-Cosby Career Highlights: The Tempestt Bledsoe Show, Guys with Kids, reality TV appearances.
• Keshia Knight Pulliam (Rudy Huxtable):
  • Full Name: Keshia Knight Pulliam
  • Born: April 9, 1979 (Age 45 as of 2024)
  • Role: The youngest daughter.
  • Post-Cosby Career Highlights: House of Payne, reality TV, teaching at HBCUs.
• Raven-Symoné (Olivia Kendall):
  • Full Name: Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman-Maday
  • Born: December 10, 1985 (Age 39 as of 2024)
  • Role: Cliff and Clair's step-granddaughter (introduced in later seasons).
  • Post-Cosby Career Highlights: That's So Raven, Raven's Home, The View.

The Heartbreaking Loss of Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theo Huxtable)

The most shocking and recent news to impact the cast is the tragic passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played the beloved son, Theodore "Theo" Huxtable. Warner, a talented actor, musician, and poet, died on July 20, 2025, at the age of 54.

Reports indicate that Warner died after drowning in a rip current off the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. His death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, particularly among fans who grew up watching his character navigate adolescence and young adulthood. Warner had successfully transitioned his career into mature roles, most notably as Dr. AJ Austin on the medical drama The Resident, which concluded in 2023.

His final onscreen performance is set to be a poignant guest role on the upcoming Fox series, Murder in a Small Town. This final project, which has generated significant buzz, serves as a powerful reminder of his enduring talent and legacy as one of television’s most influential Black male figures.

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Phylicia Rashad's Triumphant New Chapter: Broadway Directing Success

While the family's patriarch, Bill Cosby, remains mired in controversy, Phylicia Rashad (Clair Huxtable) has cemented her status as a theatrical powerhouse and respected elder stateswoman of the arts. Rashad, a two-time Tony Award winner, has recently earned massive critical acclaim for her work behind the camera and on stage.

Her latest triumph came during the 2024-2025 Broadway season, where she directed the new play Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The production was a monumental success, winning the Tony Award for Outstanding Broadway Play in 2025. This directing accolade highlights her shift into a leadership role in theater, a passion she has cultivated for decades.

In addition to her directorial work on Broadway, Rashad has been a strong advocate for arts education, serving as the Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. Her commitment to mentoring the next generation of Black artists ensures her legacy extends far beyond her iconic television role. She continues to be a symbol of grace, intelligence, and artistic excellence in the face of the show's complicated history.

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From Disney Deals to Divorce: The Younger Huxtables Today

The actors who played the Huxtable children have all forged distinct and diverse careers, each navigating the shadow of their early success in unique ways. The latest updates show a mix of personal milestones, major career deals, and a continued focus on family life.

Raven-Symoné's Multi-Year Disney Empire

Raven-Symoné (Olivia Kendall) has arguably had the most successful post-Cosby Show career in terms of building a new, self-owned brand. The actress, who joined the show in its later seasons, has been a cornerstone of the Disney Channel for years.

In a major 2025 development, Raven-Symoné signed a multi-year overall deal with Disney to produce, develop, and direct content for both linear television and streaming platforms. This deal came shortly after her successful spin-off series, Raven’s Home, concluded its six-season run. The actress is already working on a pilot for a new spin-off series, continuing her creative control over the popular franchise and demonstrating her power as a producer and director in Hollywood.

Keshia Knight Pulliam: HBCU Advocate and Powerhouse Mom

Keshia Knight Pulliam (Rudy Huxtable) has transitioned from child star to a celebrated mother, actress, and educator. A graduate of Spelman College, a prestigious Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Pulliam has made it a priority to give back to the academic community.

Recent news highlights her role as an advocate for HBCUs, including teaching classes at these institutions as part of a mentorship series. In her personal life, Pulliam is a "powerhouse mom," married to actor Brad James. The couple has worked together on projects, including the 2022 holiday rom-com A New Orleans Noel, solidifying her career as a working actress who balances family and professional life.

Lisa Bonet and Tempestt Bledsoe: Selective Roles and Private Lives

Lisa Bonet (Denise Huxtable) has maintained a highly selective and private career, often prioritizing her family life. While she has appeared in acclaimed projects like Ray Donovan, her most recent public attention has centered on her personal life.

In 2024, Bonet finalized her divorce from actor Jason Momoa, bringing her long-term relationship to a close. She continues to be a supportive mother to her children, including actress and musician Zoë Kravitz, often stepping back from the spotlight to focus on her personal evolution.

Similarly, Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa Huxtable) has continued her career in television, though often out of the major spotlight. After her run on the sitcom Guys with Kids, Bledsoe has focused on guest appearances on various television series, voice acting for animated projects, and unscripted reality television, including an appearance on Celebrity Fit Club.

The Controversial Status of Bill Cosby (Cliff Huxtable)

The most complicated figure in the cast's story remains Bill Cosby (Cliff Huxtable). His sexual assault conviction in 2018, subsequent imprisonment, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision to overturn the conviction in 2021, have left his legacy in a state of permanent controversy.

Since his release from prison, Cosby has expressed intentions to return to comedy touring, with plans for a return announced in 2023. Despite ongoing legal challenges and the public's polarized reaction, his spokesperson has maintained that the comedian intends to resume his career. The 87-year-old actor’s current status is defined by his ongoing legal battles and his determined, albeit controversial, attempt to re-enter the public eye, constantly challenging the entertainment world to reconcile the beloved TV figure with the painful real-life allegations.