Keshia Knight Pulliam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keshia Knight Pulliam
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Knight Pulliam at the Wizard World Comic Con in 2015
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| Born | April 9, 1979 Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Education | Spelman College |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Known for | Rudy Huxtable in The Cosby Show |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
Keshia Knight Pulliam (born April 9, 1979) is an American actress. She started her acting career as a child. Her most famous role was Rudy Huxtable on the TV show The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992.
Keshia made history by becoming the youngest person ever nominated for an Emmy Award. This was for her amazing acting as a supporting actress in a comedy series. She also played Miranda Lucas-Payne on the TV show Tyler Perry's House of Payne, which started in 2007 and is still on today.
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Early Career and Big Roles
Keshia Knight Pulliam began her professional acting at just 9 months old. She appeared in a national advertisement for baby products. When she was 3, she was on the popular children's show Sesame Street.
In 1984, Keshia got the role of Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show. She played this character until the show ended in 1992. In 1986, at age 6, she was nominated for an Emmy Award. This made her one of the youngest actresses to ever receive such an honor.
She also appeared in movies like The Last Dragon (1985). She starred in the films Polly and its sequel Polly: Comin' Home! alongside her Cosby Show co-star Phylicia Rashad. Keshia is recognized as one of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars" by VH1.
Television and Film Appearances
Keshia has appeared on several celebrity competition shows. In September 2002, she won a celebrity version of Fear Factor. She also won a celebrity version of The Weakest Link. She took part in Celebrity Mole: Yucatan as well.
In 2004, Keshia was in Chingy's music video for his song "One Call Away". The next year, in 2005, she played Darnelle in the movie Beauty Shop with Queen Latifah.
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 earned her two NAACP Image Awards in 2009 and 2010 for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. In 2009, she also appeared in the film Madea Goes to Jail.
In 2011, Keshia spoke about the need for more diversity in Hollywood. She said that the entertainment world should show more people from different backgrounds.
In 2013, she was a contestant on the celebrity diving show Splash on ABC. In 2015, Keshia was on The Celebrity Apprentice Season 7. In 2018, she was a HouseGuest on the first season of Celebrity Big Brother on CBS.
Personal Life and Family
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: James Knight Pulliam II, Mshon Knight Pulliam, and Juwan Pulliam.
After The Cosby Show ended in 1992, her family moved to Virginia. Keshia graduated from Foxcroft School in 1997. She then attended Spelman College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 2001. She is also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
On New Year's Eve 2015, Keshia got engaged to former National Football League player Edgerton Hartwell. They married the very next day, January 1, 2016. On January 23, 2017, Keshia gave birth to their daughter, Ella Grace Hartwell. Their divorce was finalized in April 2018.
In December 2020, Keshia became engaged to actor Brad James. They started dating in 2019 after meeting on the set of 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
Film Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Last Dragon | Sophia/Natasha Green | |
| Back to Next Saturday | Rudy Huxtable | TV movie | |
| 1987 | The Little Match Girl | Molly | |
| 1989 | Polly | Polly | |
| A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court | Karen | ||
| 1990 | Polly: Comin' Home! | Polly | |
| 2002 | What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway | Temple | |
| 2004 | Motives | Letrice | Video |
| Christmas at Water's Edge | Leila Turner | TV movie | |
| 2005 | Beauty Shop | Darnelle | |
| The Gospel | Maya Walker | ||
| 2008 | Cuttin Da Mustard | Wendy | |
| Death Toll | Mirie | ||
| 2009 | Madea Goes to Jail | Candace Washington | |
| 2013 | The Love Letter | Parker | TV movie |
| 2015 | Will to Love | Rachel Paris | |
| 2018 | Jingle Belle | Tori | |
| 2019 | Pride and Prejudice: Atlanta | Caroline | |
| Radio Christmas | Kara Porter | ||
| 2020 | My Brother's Keeper | Tiffany | |
| Tempted By Danger | Angela Brooks | TV movie | |
| The Christmas Aunt | Rebecca | ||
| 2021 | Redeemed | Angela Sylvester | |
| 2022 | A New Orleans Noel | Grace Hill | TV movie |
| 2023 | The Hillsdale Adoption Scam | Bethany | |
| 2025 | Wife Stalker | Joanna | Lifetime movie |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983–88 | Sesame Street | Herself | Recurring Guest |
| 1984–92 | The Cosby Show | Rudy Huxtable | Main Cast |
| 1987–88 | A Different World | Rudy Huxtable | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |
| 1990 | Reading Rainbow | Herself (voice) | Episode: "The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth" |
| 1993 | It's Showtime at the Apollo | Herself/Guest Host | Episode: "Episode #6.17" |
| 1997 | Cosby | Guitarist | Episode: "The Return of Charlites" |
| 2001 | The Weakest Link | Herself | Episode: "TV Child Stars Edition" |
| 2002 | Fear Factor | Episode: "Celebrity Fear Factor 3" | |
| 2004 | The Mole | Herself/Contestant | Contestant: Season 4 |
| 2005 | The Greatest | Herself | Episode: "100 Greatest Kid Stars" |
| 2007–09 | Whatever Happened To? | 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 | Episode: "Episode #1.3" | ||
| 2012 | The Real Housewives of Atlanta | Episode: "All Pomp But No Circumstance" | |
| Mr. Box Office | Vanessa Owens | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2013 | Splash | Herself/Contestant | Main Cast |
| Guys with Kids | Bridget | Episode: "Divorce Party" | |
| 2015 | The Apprentice | Herself/Contestant | Contestant: Season 14 |
| 2018 | Celebrity 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 | Episode: "Keshia Knight Pulliam" | |
| Married at First Sight | Herself/Host | Main Host: Season 15 |
Music Videos
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | " One Call Away" | Chingy featuring J-Weav |
| 2007 | " Please Don't Go" | Tank |
Awards and Recognitions
Keshia Knight Pulliam has received several awards and nominations for her acting.
- 1986: Nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for The Cosby Show.
- 2009: Won a NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Tyler Perry's House of Payne.
- 2010: Won another NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Tyler Perry's House of Payne.
- 2011: Nominated for a NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Tyler Perry's House of Payne.
- 2012: Won a NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Tyler Perry's House of Payne.
