On this present day in 1987, the classic sitcom, A Different World, debuted on NBC. A spin-off of The Cosby Show, the tv program followed Denise Huxtable, played by Lisa Bonet, as she enters the fictional HBCU Hillman College, positioned in Virginia.  

What was unique about A Different World was its portrayal of young African American men and ladies in a positive way, in addition to highlighting the culture of Historically Black Colleges and Universities on this country. A Different World also addressed issues that were avoided by The Cosby Show writers, similar to race and sophistication relations, sexual assault, and the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS. This shift in content is heavily attributed to the arrival of Debbie Allen, who served as a producer for the show in its second season.

Alongside Bonet, the show also starred Jasmine Guy as Whitley Gilbert, Kadeem Hardison and Dwayne Wayne, Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer, Darryl M. Bell, Charnele Brown, Glynn Turman, and Jada Pinkett-Smith, together with an extended list of other actors, actresses, and special guest stars.. After Bonet’s departure in the primary season, the rest of the series primarily focused more on Gilbert and Wayne’s relationship as they navigated college life at Hillman College. 

The show aired from 1987 to 1993, and received stellar reviews during its six seasons on NBC. A Different World also influenced a complete generation of Black students to attend HBCUs (and college generally), while providing a weekly dose of comedy and thought scary content to a national audience.

In celebration of the thirty fifth Anniversary of A Different World, let’s take a take a look at its forged – then and now.

01

Denise Huxtable

The star in the primary season of the Cosby Show spin-off sitcom, A Different World. The second-born child of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, Denise is thought for her eccentric clothing and free-spirited, rebellious nature.

02

Lisa Bonet

The Emmy Award-nominated actress took a step back from acting after her departure from A Different World. She returned back to Hollywood in 1998 together with her appearance in Enemy of the State. In subsequent years, she had roles in High Fidelity, Biker Boyz, and Road to Paloma.

03

Whitley Gilbert

The Southern Belle of Hillman got here from an affluent family who had dorms on campus named after them. She got here to varsity spoiled, but eventually became more selfless because the series progressed. Her and Dwayne Wayne develop an on-and-off relationship throughout the show, which resulted of their marriage in season 5.

04

Jasmine Guy

While on A Different World, Guy also had starred within the movies School Daze and Harlem Nights. She also appeared in several stage plays, along with writing the biography of Afeni Shakur. Guy had recent roles in Grey’s Anatomy and the Amazon Prime show Harlem.

05

Dwayne Wayne

He is thought for his trademark flip up eyeglasses/shades, this Brooklyn native appeared in all six seasons of A Different World. He eventually marries his longtime love interest Whitley Gilbert.

06

Kadeem Hardison

Hardison has maintained a gradual acting profession throughout the years. He has starred in movies similar to Vampire in Brooklyn, Panther, The sixth Man, and Life isn’t a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story. He has also established himself as a tenured actor in television. This 12 months alone, he had roles in Grown-ish, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Moonhaven.

07

Ronald Johnson

Ron appeared in every season of A Different World. The funny musician and ROTC student loved women, and was the perfect friend of Dwayne Wayne.

08

Darryl M. Bell

After A Different World, Bell earned a lead role as Morris Clay on the sci-fi comedy series Homeboys in Outer Space and appeared in Cosby in 1997. He’s in a relationship with Tempestt Bledsoe, who played Vanessa on The Cosby Show.

09

Freddie Brooks

The afrocentric roommate of Jaleesa, Freddie rose to prominence within the second season of A Different World and have become a fan favorite until the show led to 1993.

10

Cree Summer

Apart from acting, Summer has one of the crucial notable voices within the entertainment industry. She has had voice-over roles in several animated movies, TV shows, and video games, including Bratz, Rugrats, Batman Beyond, and Animaniacs. Summer also appeared in two episodes of OWN’s Queen Sugar in 2019.

11

Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor

The 25-year-old who enrolled at Hillman after a failed marriage, Taylor was a daring, mature woman who assisted her schoolmates and friends navigate the faculty experience.

12

Dawnn Lewis

Lewis – who almost co-wrote the theme to A Different World – left the show after season 5 to star in ABC’s Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper. She also had voice over performances in lots of Marvel video games, and appeared in Grey’s Anatomy earlier this 12 months.

13

Kimberly Reese

Kimberly’s debut got here within the second season of the show. She played overachieving biology student and Whitley’s roommate and best friend.

14

Charnele Brown

Since A Different World, Brown appeared in just a few small guest roles on Living Single, Martin, My Wife and Kids, and Girlfriends. She also owned her own acting school in Houston, TX.

15

Coach Walter Oakes

Walter coaches multiple sports teams at Hillman, and can be dorm director of Matthews Hall. He becomes involved in a serious relationship with Jaleesa during season 2.

16

David “Sinbad” Atkins

The stand-up comic often known as Sinbad appeared in some classic 90s movies similar to Meteor Man, Houseguest, First Kid, Jingle All The Way, and Good Burger. He was also a part of the essential forged within the Fox sitcom, Rel.

17

Lena James

Named after singer Lena Horne, James is a headstrong native of Baltimore, Maryland, She was roommates with Gina Deveaux and Charmaine Brown through the last season of A Different World, and was also a journalism major.

18

Jada Pinkett-Smith

Pinkett-Smith went on to star in movies similar to Menace II Society, The Nutty Professor, Set It Off, and Scream 2, before appearing in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. She returned to television in 2009 with starring roles on Hawthorne and Gotham, and likewise had a standout performance within the quick classic Girls Trip. She can be the wife of Will Smith, and mother of Jaden and Willow Smith.

19

Colonel Bradford Taylor

Colonel Taylor, a profession U.S. Army man friend of Vernon Gaines. He was also the Mathematics professor on campus, in addition to Hillma’s ROTC instructor. He eventually dates and marries Jaleesa Vinson.

20

Glynn Turman

With an acting profession spanning over 60 years, Turman has change into influential to the following generation of Black entertainers. After A Different World, he appeared on The Wire, House of Lies, and Black-ish. Turman portrayed Doctor Senator within the fourth season of the FX series Fargo, also starred alongside Chadwick Boseman in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in 2020.

21

Vernon Gaines

Also known as Mr. Gaines, Vernon was the owner and manager of the Hillman College restaurant called The Pit. He was a veteran, and friends with Colonel Bradford Taylor.

22

Lou Myers

Myers booked small roles in movies within the years following A Different World, including Tin Cup, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and The Wedding Planner. Sadly, he passed away in 2013 on the age 76.