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 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 | The Last Dragon | Sophia/Natasha Green | |
| Back to Next Saturday | Rudy Huxtable | TV movie | |
| 1987 | The Little Match Girl | Molly | TV movie |
| 1989 | Polly | Polly | TV movie |
| A 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 | |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | Herself | 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? | 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 | The Real Housewives of Atlanta | Herself | 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 | Herself | 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 |
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
