
Make no doubt about it; It's Keisha's show now.
The Cosby Show' actress is all grown up and definitely ready to take control of her career.
Since starring as Rudy Huxtable -- the youngest Huxtable child -- in the hit NBC sitcom, 'The Cosby Show,' for eight seasons, actress Keisha Knight Pulliam has done a fine job of making diverse career choices.
Pulliam told BlackVoices.com that she is very happy that she took a break from acting to attend historically black women's college, Spelman College , where she graduated in 2001 with a degree in sociology.
"I think that I am very thankful to have had such a long career. It's a blessing and something very special to me. I took a long break after 'Cosby' to go to college and I don't regret that," says Pulliam.
At age six, she became the youngest actress to ever be nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance on 'The Cosby Show.'
And, after graduating from Spelman, she returned to acting and turned up in notable film roles such as Queen Latifah's 'Beauty Shop,' and 'The Gospel.' She also showed herself in a different, more grown-up light, as rapper Chingy's sexy love interest in his 'One Call Away' music video.
2008 Deaths
Odetta Holmes
"The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement" was a singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter and activist.
December 31 1930 - December 2 2008.
Ray Tamarra , Getty
Bernie Mac
Comedian, Actor
Oct. 5, 1957 - Aug. 9, 2008.
AP
Isaac Hayes
Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer and actor.
August 20, 1942 - August 10, 2008
Reuters
Miriam Makeba, "Mama Africa"
South African folk singer and anti-apartheid activist.
March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008.
Reuters
Jennifer Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, were killed in 2008.
AP
Shakir Stewart
The Island Def Jam executive who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z's departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. He was 34 years old.
Getty
George Carlin
Stand-up comedian, actor and author.
May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008
Getty Images
Madelyn Dunham
Barack Obama's grandmother
October 26, 1922 - Nov 3, 2008.
Getty Images
Levi Stubbs
Oct. 17: The iconic lead singer, second from left, who gave voice to Four Tops classics like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Baby I Need Your Loving" died at 72 from complications of cancer and a stroke. Abdul Fakir, far left, is now the sole living member of the original quartet.
Corbis
Dee Dee Warwick
Oct. 18: The soul songstress died after months of declining health. Warwick, the sister of soul legend Dionne, also achieved a great deal of success, both as a solo artist as well as with her sister.
Corbis
These days Pulliam's is back on the small screen with a leading role on the hit TBS series, 'Tyler Perry's House of Payne,' an experience that she says shares the same camaraderie as 'Cosby.'
"I said, 'Ok, sure I will come in for ten episodes,' and the storyline was so popular," she revealed. "People just loved the Calvin (played by actor Lance Gross) and Miranda story," so much that it led to her taping an additional 26 episodes of the popular sitcom.
Tyler Perry, the show's creator, has been so impressed with Pulliam that he cast her in his upcoming movie, 'Madea Goes to Jail' as Candace "Candy'" Washington a heroin-addicted prostitute who the pistol-packing main character befriends after both women end up in jail. Derek Luke, Sophia Vergara, 'Doubt's' Viola Davis and David and Tamala Mann also star in the movie.
"It was a very different role for me and a lot of hard work because it's a darker role and you have to take yourself there in order for it to be believable," she said.
"I really just tried to get into character," she added. "I don't have any history of drug abuse or prostitution or any of those things, but I did talk to a woman who had been in that situation and recovered from that situation and I really just tried to get into those stories."
"Nobody would cast little Rudy as a prostitute. Nobody would give her the chance," Perry said in a recent interview with BlackVoices.com. "She really wanted to show people that she can act. And she did a great job in the film."
Next up, Pulliam is hoping to continue her transition into becoming not only a respectable adult actor, but very selective about the overall projects that she's involved in.
Now at age 29, she is trying her hand in producing and directing, like her new boss, Perry.
She has created her own production company with her partner Kassem Penn called PullPenn Productions and is in the midst of working on a few television and film projects.
You can see Keisha in 'Madea Goes to Jail,' which hits theaters on Feb 20, 2009 and also on 'Tyler Perry's House of Payne,' airing Wednesdays at 8 PM on TBS.
Comments: (106)
Add a comment
By: Patti on 12/31/2008 2:50PM
I have always adored Keisha Knight Pulliam when she started on the Cosby show and watching her grow into a beautiful young lady plus Tyler Perry cracks me up big time so I'm dying to see this movie. :o)
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: TIM CAN DO IT !! on 12/31/2008 3:33PM
Who Is She?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: vgkflc on 12/31/2008 3:57PM
She had it as a kid and she still has it now.Way to go miss Pulliam. And Mr. Perry,Keep on doing what you do man.Its good to see that hard work still stands for something.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Hello Tiffany on 12/31/2008 4:13PM
I have got to see that movie!!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: hi on 12/31/2008 4:14PM
She needs to lose weight
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Sarah E. Wilson on 12/31/2008 5:05PM
She looks SO much better now that she waxes her upper lip!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ettie on 12/31/2008 5:22PM
I don't think that she needs to lose weight! No wonder why we have all of these anorexic people out there. They are judged way too much.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ebonysharee05 on 12/31/2008 5:50PM
Keisha is going to do just fine in this movie and I can't wait to see it. For all you haters hating on Keisha, STOP HATING ON HER, BEING A HATER IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Telisecia on 12/31/2008 6:34PM
Wow.. thumbs up all the way to you Ms.Pulliam you are a real role model for the young african american girl or any girl for that matter, I wish you much more sucess in the future
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sadlpal on 12/31/2008 6:44PM
She needs to lose weight where? She is a beautiful young woman. Why does everyone seem to think every bone in your body sticks out to be beautiful.
Reply to this Comment | Report This