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Keshia Knight Pulliam
Keshia Knight Pulliam.jpg
Knight Pulliam at the Wizard World Comic Con in 2015
Born (1979-04-09) April 9, 1979 (age 46)
Education Spelman College
Occupation Actress
Years active 1982–present
Known for Rudy Huxtable in The Cosby Show
Spouse(s)
Ed Hartwell
(m. 2016; div. 2018)
(m. 2021)
Children 2

Keshia Knight Pulliam (born April 9, 1979) is an American actress. She started acting when she was very young. Keshia is best known for playing Rudy Huxtable on the TV show The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992. She was so good that she became the youngest person ever to be nominated for an Emmy Award at just six years old! She also played Rudy in a spin-off show called A Different World. Later, Keshia became well-known for her role as Miranda Lucas-Payne in the TV show Tyler Perry's House of Payne.

Keshia's Acting Journey

Keshia Knight Pulliam began her acting career super early. She was only 9 months old when she appeared in a national advertisement for baby products. At age 3, she was already on Sesame Street.

Becoming Rudy Huxtable

In 1984, Keshia got the part of Rudy Huxtable on the TV show The Cosby Show. She played this role until the show ended in 1992. In 1986, when she was just six, Keshia was nominated for an Emmy Award. This made her one of the youngest actresses to ever receive such an honor.

Movies and Other Shows

Keshia continued to work in TV commercials and shows. She made her first movie appearance in The Last Dragon (1985). She also starred in the movies Polly and Polly: Comin' Home! alongside her Cosby Show co-star Phylicia Rashad. She is even ranked among the "100 Greatest Kid Stars" by VH1.

Game Shows and More Roles

Keshia Knight Pulliam has also appeared on many celebrity game shows. She won a celebrity version of Fear Factor in 2002 and The Weakest Link. She also took part in Celebrity Mole: Yucatan.

In 2004, she was in Chingy's music video for the song "One Call Away". In 2005, she played Darnelle in the movie Beauty Shop with Queen Latifah.

Joining Tyler Perry's House of Payne

In 2008, Keshia joined the cast of Tyler Perry's House of Payne. She played Miranda, who was the new wife of Calvin Payne. This role helped her win the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in both 2009 and 2010. In 2009, she also played Candace "Candy" Washington-Collins in the movie Madea Goes to Jail.

Speaking Out for Diversity

In 2011, Keshia talked about the importance of having more diverse actors in Hollywood. She said that the world is very multicultural, and TV shows and movies should show that. She believes more needs to be done to include people from all backgrounds.

Reality TV Appearances

Keshia has been a contestant on several reality TV shows. In 2013, she was on the diving show Splash. In 2015, she was on The Celebrity Apprentice Season 7. In 2018, she was a HouseGuest on the first season of Celebrity Big Brother.

Keshia's Life Outside Acting

Keshia Knight Pulliam was born in Newark, New Jersey, on April 9, 1979. Her parents are Denise and James Knight Pulliam Sr. She has three brothers.

Education and College Life

Keshia went to Rutgers Preparatory School in New Jersey. When The Cosby Show finished in 1992, her family moved to Virginia. There, she attended Potomac School and Foxcroft School, graduating in 1997. She then went to Spelman College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 2001. She is also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

Family Life

On New Year's Eve 2015, Keshia got engaged to retired football player Edgerton Hartwell. They got married the very next day, on January 1, 2016. In July 2016, Hartwell filed for divorce. Keshia gave birth to their daughter, Ella Grace Hartwell, on January 23, 2017. Their divorce was finalized in April 2018, and Keshia received primary custody of Ella.

In December 2020, Keshia became engaged to actor Brad James. They started dating in 2019 after meeting while working on the TV movie Pride and Prejudice: Atlanta. They got married in September 2021. In December 2022, they announced they were expecting their first child together. Their son, Knight James, was born on April 4, 2023.

Filmography

Movies

Year Title Role Notes
1985 Last Dragon, TheThe Last Dragon Sophia/Natasha Green
Back to Next Saturday Rudy Huxtable TV movie
1987 Little Match Girl, TheThe Little Match Girl Molly TV movie
1989 Polly Polly TV movie
Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, AA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Karen TV movie
1990 Polly: Comin' Home! Polly TV movie
2002 What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway Temple TV movie
2004 Motives Letrice Video
Christmas at Water's Edge Leila Turner TV movie
2005 Beauty Shop Darnelle
Gospel, TheThe Gospel Maya Walker
2008 Cuttin Da Mustard Wendy
Death Toll Mirie
2009 Madea Goes to Jail Candace Washington
2013 Love Letter, TheThe Love Letter Parker TV movie
2015 Will to Love Rachel Paris TV movie
2018 Jingle Belle Tori TV movie
2019 Pride and Prejudice: Atlanta Caroline TV movie
Radio Christmas Kara Porter TV movie
2020 My Brother's Keeper Tiffany
Tempted By Danger Angela Brooks TV movie
The Christmas Aunt Rebecca TV movie
2021 Redeemed Angela Sylvester
2022 A New Orleans Noel Grace Hill TV movie
2023 The Hillsdale Adoption Scam Bethany TV movie

Television Shows

Year Title Role Notes
1983–88 Sesame Street Herself Recurring Guest
1984–92 Cosby Show, TheThe Cosby Show Rudy Huxtable Main Cast
1987–88 Different World, AA Different World Rudy Huxtable Recurring Cast: Season 1
1990 Reading Rainbow Herself (voice) Episode: "The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth"
1993 Showtime at the Apollo, It'sIt's Showtime at the Apollo Herself/Guest Host Episode: "Episode #6.17"
1997 Cosby Guitarist Episode: "The Return of Charlites"
2001 Weakest Link, TheThe Weakest Link Herself Episode: "TV Child Stars Edition"
2002 Fear Factor Herself Episode: "Celebrity Fear Factor 3"
2004 , The MoleThe Mole Herself/Contestant Contestant: Season 4
2005 , The GreatestThe Greatest Herself Episode: "100 Greatest Kid Stars"
2007–09 Whatever Happened To? Herself Episode: "Little Sisters" & "Middle Sibbles"
2007–12 Tyler Perry's House of Payne Miranda Lucas Payne Main Cast
2009 Played by Fame Herself Episode: "Eco Friend Date"
2010 Psych Stranjay Episode: "The Polarizing Express"
2011 Celebrity Ghost Stories Herself Episode: "Keshia Knight Pulliam, Ming-Na, Chi McBride, Mia Tyler"
Hollywood Icons and Innovators Herself Episode: "Episode #1.3"
2012 Real Housewives of Atlanta, TheThe Real Housewives of Atlanta Herself Episode: "All Pomp But No Circumstance"
Mr. Box Office Vanessa Owens Episode: "Pilot"
2013 , SplashSplash Herself/Contestant Main Cast
Guys with Kids Bridget Episode: "Divorce Party"
2015 The Apprentice Herself/Contestant Contestant: Season 14
2018 , Celebrity Big BrotherCelebrity Big Brother Herself/Contestant Contestant: Season 1
2019 BET Her Presents: The Waiting Room Dr. Bennett Episode: "The Waiting Room"
2020–
present
Tyler Perry's House of Payne Miranda Lucas Payne Main Cast
2021 Down to Business Herself Episode: "Various Artists"
2022 Uncensored Herself Episode: "Keshia Knight Pulliam"
, Married at First SightMarried at First Sight Herself/Host Main Host: Season 15

Music Videos

Year Title Artist
2004 "One Call Away" Chingy featuring J-Weav

Awards and Nominations

  • 1986: Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in A Comedy Series (nominated) for The Cosby Show
  • 2009: NAACP Image Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (won) for Tyler Perry's House of Payne
  • 2010: NAACP Image Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (won) for Tyler Perry's House of Payne
  • 2011: NAACP Image Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated) for Tyler Perry's House of Payne
  • 2012: NAACP Image Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (won) for Tyler Perry's House of Payne
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