Black Girl Characters

Denise Huxable was the second-bornchild of Cliff and Clair Huxtable on the African American sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). She is portrayed by actress Lisa Bonet. Denise’s Character was also a part of the spin off to The Cosby Show, A Different World. She was the young, trendy, intelligent but unique daughter. Her fashion often imitated in real life and often included in the story line of the show is memorable and a staple in Black sitcom history. From the ever changing hair styles to her funky headbands, eye grabbing make up, to her outfits that stole the show when she appeared on screen. Denise Huxtable was that girl.

In the pilot episode, Denise was originally the oldest child, followed by Theo, Vanessa, and Rudy. However, Bill Cosby added an older child, Sondra, a Princeton student, to the show once it was set to become a hit. Sondra was created to show the accomplishment of raising a successful child. Sabrina Le Beauf plays Sondra, but she doesn't appear in the pilot episode. One of her characters earliest plots were the episodes that discussed her decision about what college she wanted to attend. Would she make her own decision based off of her own moral compass and aspirations or would she make the decision to follow in the footsteps of her family and attend the fictional (HBCU) Hillman College.

Now speaking of Hillman College (the baddest HBCU in TV land) in 1987 A Different World (one of my personal favorites) premiered on NBC. It ran from September 24, 1987 to July 1993. Although the show ran for 6 seasons Lisa Bonnet only was a part of season 1. Originally it’s been said that the concept of A Different World was supposed to be a white girls experience attending an hbcu. The show became centered around Denise ( with Bonet being around her character’s age at the time) and her own college experience with a white roommate. In season one Denise developed a friendship with this roommate a character named Maggie as well as Julissa whom she developed friendships with both.

Julissa played by actress Dawnn Lewis was a character from a different world who played a college student who enrolled in her late 30s and was a divorcee. Season 1 she also served as assistant dorm director of Gilbert Hall. It was clear that she was the antagonist of the character Whitley Gilbert played by actress Jasmine Guy.

In real life Lisa was stepping into her own independence not only as an actress but as a woman. It has been stated that she was met with much resistance to this from her then on screen father Bill Cosby. From her graphic love scene in a movie to her posing for the cover of Rolling Stone. But ultimately his greatest dissatisfaction was said to be her real life whirlwind romance with then upcoming Black Rockstar Lenny Kravitz. The artist and the actress met at a concert in 1985.

The young, Black, attractive pair began a friendship that developed into a love. From their style to their vibes they were in the spotlight and why not !? She was still a young woman “Denise Huxable” or not. It’s been on record by former cast-mates that Cosby warned Bonet not to get married and not to get pregnant. In November of 1987 Lisa and Lenny married on her 20th birthday and she did indeed get her biggest role yet by giving birth to daughter thee Zoe Kravitz on December 1, 1988.

According to the Legendary Debbie Allen, when Lisa confided in her about the pregnancy (because everyone knew Cosby was about to and was already somewhere pitching a fit) she encouraged her and even had the great idea of possibly pitching it into Denise’s story line. She stated that they could aim the show around Denise’s experience as an unwed young college student who did not want to be married and was still successful working towards her college degree. This is seen by women we know and love in our communities everyday so what was the problem really? Of course Bill absolutely refused when the two went to see him. His sentiments to them were Lisa Bonet is Pregnant, not Denise Huxable!

Bill ended up firing Lisa from a Different world and ended up rehiring her on the Cosby show. The end of her role on a different world was packaged together as Denise struggling with her finances as well as academics. With these challenges she ultimately decides to drop out. This made her the first member of her family to drop out of college. Lisa returned to her role as Denise on Cosby Show with not only a new storyline but also with two new characters.

So the storyline went Denise came home after taking a job as a wildlife photographer's assistant and while in Africa she met and married a divorced Naval officer, Lt. Martin Kendall. Martin had a 3 year old daughter whom made Denise an instant mom , Olivia . This was a breakout role for a then, young Raven-Symone’. Now her parents did not know that Denise had gotten married. Eventually Denise enrolls in Medgar Evans college. She and Martin relocate to Asia where he is stationed. In the series finale, Denise phone calls her family from Asia to announce that she is pregnant with her and Martin's first child.

As for Lisa Bonet she divorced Lenny Kravitz in 1993 however to this day have much love for one another. They both raised a beautiful daughter who has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry as well. Lisa legally changed her name to Lilakoi Moon but she still uses name Lisa Bonet professionally. In 2017 she married actor Jason Momoa. Bonet and Momoa have two children: a daughter and a son. They divorced in 2024.

Lisa also started in Biker Boyz in 2003 as well as many other movie and television roles.