What Ever Happened To?

A Different World

Where Are They Now: A Different World
'A Different World' remains the only television sitcom to showcase life at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). What was originally created as a spin-off of 'The Cosby Show' became a launching pad for a who's who of African-American actors and even is believed to have boosted the enrollment at black universities. The show aired for six seasons on NBC from 1987 to 1993. BlackVoices.com takes a look back at some of the faces of 'A Different World' and how their careers after the show.


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Lisa Bonet: Denise Huxtable
'A Different World' was created as a spin-off to 'The Cosby Show,' which follows the family's daring daughter Denise Huxtable to college. At Hillman, Denise was Dwayne's crush and a friend to Jaleesa and Maggie and oftentimes an ally to the overly spoiled and sometimes obnoxious Whitley. Unfortunately, after the first season with her real-life pregnancy it was impossible to have her in the show without ruining her good girl image.


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Lisa Bonet: Denise Huxtable
Bonet returned to the fifth season of 'The Cosby Show' from Africa with a husband and step-child. Over the years after 'Cosby,' she has appeared in films like 'Biker Boyz,' 'Enemy of the State' and 'High Fidelity.' Her daughter with Lenny Kravitz, Zoe, is also an actress. Last year, she gave birth to another daughter named Lola with actor Jason Momoa. In addition to appearing in the upcoming Coen Brothers film 'Gambit' next year, she will star in a new ABC series 'Life of Mars' which is expected to premiere this fall.


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Marisa Tomei: Maggie Lauten
Marisa Tomei appeared in the first season of 'A Different World' as Maggie Lauten, one of Denise's two roommates. Maggie remains one of only two white characters featured in a starring role on the series.


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Marisa Tomei: Maggie Lauten
Following her stint on 'A Different World,' Marisa Tomei transitioned to Hollywood. In 1993, the Brooklyn, New York native won an Oscar for her memorable performance in the comedy 'My Cousin Vinny.' Earlier this year, she appeared on Broadway in a play called 'Top Girls.'


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Jasmine Guy: Whitley Gilbert
Whitley Gilbert reportedly was originally slated to appear in just the pilot episode but became so popular that with Lisa Bonet's exit she became the show's star and remained that for all six seasons. A super spoiled southern belle, Whitley was quirky, funny and loveable all at the same time. Her on-again-off-again relationship with Kadeem Hardison's character, Dwayne Wayne, became the focus of most of the series in later years.


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Jasmine Guy: Whitley Gilbert
Jasmine Guy continues to make a name for herself as a renaissance woman. A former Alvin Ailey dancer, the Boston, Massachusetts native starred in the Broadway musicals 'The Wiz,' 'Grease' and 'Chicago.' She also released an album on Warner Bros. Records and starred in a few movies, most notably 'Harlem Nights' and 'School Daze.' Her television credits, following 'A Different World,' include 'Melrose Place,' 'Living Single,' 'That's So Raven,' and 'Dead Like Me,' to name a few. Recently pursuing divorce after nearly ten years of marriage -- Guy penned a biography on rapper Tupac Shakur's mother Afeni Shakur called 'Evolution of a Revolutionary' and helped establish the Turks & Caicos Film Festival, along with actress LisaRaye McCoy Misick.


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Kadeem Hardison: Dwayne Wayne
Before crushing on Denise in the first season of 'A Different World,' Kadeem Hardison turned up on an episode of 'The Cosby Show' as one of Theo's friends. Dwayne Wayne matured over six seasons from a nerdy and immature freshman to a poised professor. His pop-up glasses became iconic in their own right and everyone cheered for him to choose Whitley as his true love.


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Kadeem Hardison: Dwayne Wayne
Kadeem Hardison has appeared in a variety of television shows following 'A Different World.' Most recently, he played 'American Idol' winner Fantasia Barrino's father in her Lifetime biopic, 'Life Is Not A Fairytale.' Earlier this year, he appeared in the romantic comedy 'Made of Honor.' In his personal life, Hardison was once married to singer Chante Moore (her hit single "Chante's Got A Man" was about him), with whom he has a daughter. His mother Bethann Hardison is one of the fashion industry's most respected voices; a former model, she also managed the careers of Naomi Campbell and Tyson Beckford.


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Dawnn Lewis: Jaleesa Vinson
Jaleesa Vinson, played by Dawnn Lewis, was a young divorcee and the older student of the bunch. She was Denise Huxtable's freshman year roommate. Jaleesa dated Walter, played by Sinbad, and later married Col. Bradford "Brad" Taylor, played by Glynn Turman. A little known fact is that the Brooklyn, New York native co-wrote the show's theme song.


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