We've received your submission. They brought the case to the prosecutor. Bowser: Sometimes when I get interviewed people ask me, Well, how do you write or create such iconic shows or iconic characters? And the truth is, you dont create iconic shows or iconic television or iconic characters. In a way, Ted Ross was part of "A Different World" before the show even existed. Up until the last day before we shot it, I was asking the writers to please fix it. Guy: I remember doing The Dennis Miller Show and he asked, How does it feel being between the number one show and the number three show, Cosby and Cheers? And I kind of, not stuttered, but I was trying to regroup. It went off the air unceremoniously. Fairman was 23. Hardison: I loved that Dwyane was smart and I love that he was from Brooklyn. A compromise was made and the writers added a scene where Dwayne tries to talk Whitley out of the marriage the night before. 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Can you come in tomorrow? Unfortunately, the fact that the show was made in the late 1980s and early 1990s means that some members of its illustrious cast are no longer with us. Vanity Fair may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. That was an episode that dealt with colorism, and I remember after our first table reading we had a two-hour conversation because everyone had their own story of being otherized because of the color of their skin, whether it was considered too light or too dark or whatever. If youre running a network, you dont get credit for the shows you didnt develop. Among them were the nerdy but confident Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison); silly playboy Ronald Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell); bougie Southern belle Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy); and free spirit Freddie Brooks (Cree Summer). Summer: It wasnt really like the Beatles or anything. Allen: Patti LaBelle and I are friends from my early dance days in New York. I just didnt know it was a thing. Its remarkable to know that you can still have that kind of effect on someone 30-plus years after the fact. She achieved further fame asthe conniving Dominique Deveraux on the popular ABC soaps "Dynasty" and "The Colbys.". Allen: We had to evolve Freddieshe couldnt stay the flower child. Summers audition experience paralleled that of Hardisons and Bells. Turman: Heres how influential Colonel Taylor was. Guy: After we did the reading, I said, Are yall going to do that? Patti LaBelleGladys KnightRon ONealBlair Underwood. It was sad for mebecause we had started this journey togetherfor them to not be there anymore. 1 Episode 1988. Bowser: I love watching [Dwayne and Whitley] go from being awkward teenagers to more mature Black people in love. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Both of you. Summer: As time went on, like any new character, Freddie just started to develop and evolve. I can hardly believe that its really happening. Guy: I felt like Lisa was diminished in her ability to look natural. It was just her, Dawnn, and Marisa, and I thought, This could use something. Hardison: I was not a fan of that whole idea. "I'm not good at playing stereotypes," she once remarked (via Jet), and so she didn't an enormously brave and difficult stance to take, even today. It was my first time leaving the country, and I brought my mom because she had never traveled. He was 68 years old (via CNN). [You know when] you just dont feel the love. Stop this. They looked and they said, My God, its Colonel Taylor. And they stopped. Though NBC's "A Different World" started out as a fairly standard spin-off show with frequent appearances from the characters of its parent sitcom, "The Cosby Show," it was ultimately able to stand on its own two feet. Hardison: All of a sudden [the show] got real, then it became amazing. She transitioned into film roles in 1974 with her screen debut in The Education of Sonny Carson, and appearances in television shows like Police Woman and Sanford and Son. Alices award accolades include an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for 1993s Ill Fly Away. She also won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in the 1987 production of August Wilsons Fences.. The show garnered just three Emmy nominations (Carroll and Goldberg, both for outstanding guest actress, and outstanding technical direction) and took home none. You cant get there without melet me know how long I need to hang out.. Adult film actors, Prince Yahshua & Aryanna Starr LOAD COMMENTS Debbie was always so ahead of her time. Since I knew Lisa, I went and saw a taping of A Different World. She was 85, according to the Hollywood Reporter, although other media outlets were uncertain about her exact age. With Diahann Carroll playing Whitley Gilbert's mother, "A Different World"was practically required to cast a force to be reckoned with as her father, Mercer Gilbert. It wasnt until years later when we did a play together [that] she and I had spent any time together. And it was very hurtful to my entire companythe cast, the writers, the producers, the cameramen. Shes in a writing class and she writes a story about her dad that isnt true. Kadeem went in first and you could hear the laughing outside in the hallway while the rest of us were waiting. And then after Brandon, it was Warren Littlefield. Along with The Cosby Show, it laid the groundwork for shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, and Living Singleitself created by Bowserand featured numerous Black actors long before they were famous, including Halle Berry, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Keenen Ivory Wayans. A Different World is a spin-off from the American television sitcom The Cosby Show with Denise Huxtable, in the first season. Clockwise from bottom left: NBC/Everett Collection; Courtesy of Yvette-Lee Bowser; NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images; Gene Trindl/NBC/ Everett Collection. Where did she come from? We liked to ride motorcycles, [and] one day she pulled over and was like, I love you. Bell: I think there were three of us, maybe four, that went to network for the part of Dwayne Wayne. So for all the time that we were on A Different World, we were like the Jack Nicholson of the Clippers. Alice was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2000, and she retired from acting in 2005. Pitting them against one another, you dont have to do much. Ian McLagan, a fun-loving keyboardist who played on records by such artists as the Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen and his own bands -- the Small Faces and its successor, the. Jasmine Guy. Thats a huge reward. My name being Lena, and me having a father that was sort of in and out of my life and had demons himself, it was such a reflection. That didnt pan out, though. But if a show goes on for a period of time, characters need to evolve. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. In those years, she also portrayed Ellie Grant Hubbard in All My Children., Her performance as Rose in the 1987 production of August Wilsons Fences earned her a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Her birth year had been reported both as 1936 and 1941 in various sources. 1 min read Mary Alice, an Emmy and Tony Award winner best known to TV viewers for her roles in A Different World and I'll Fly Away, died on July 27in New York City,. She said, You guys are driving onto this lot and walking around like you own the place. She died in her New York City home on Wednesday, the NYPD told the Reporter. He appeared in movies as varied as "Arthur," "PoliceAcademy," and "The Fisher King" over the course of his multi-decade screen career. His last appearance as Dean Harris came in Episode 22 of Season 1, "My Dinner with Theo.". Former It's A Different World actor, Darryl M. Bell (who played "Dwayne Wayne's" friend, "Ron Johnson") has had his highs and lows in the entertainment biz' and in his personal life. Then Cree was like, I know where you need to live, and she brought me up to Topanga Canyon. 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When it came time for me to say it, I tried to stretch that line out as long as I could. He shows up and hes not the guy that she wrote about. A Different World definitely should have been more lauded and acknowledged for its popularity and its contribution to society, but we were making a show for the people, not for the accolades. It was just a door. Another Season 6 guest star, Chris Kelly of '90s rap duo Kris Kross, died on May 1, 2013, at the age of 34 (via CNN). A Different World cast list, including photos of the actors when available. Then they got into a fight with them and they all got thrown into jail together. Lewis, who was also pursuing a musical career, landed the role of Jaleesa. A Different World (TV Series 1987-1993) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb Edit A Different World (1987-1993) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Series Directed by Series Writing Credits Series Cast complete, awaiting verification Series Produced by Series Music by Series Cinematography by Series Film Editing by Series Casting By Fans watched . Ill never forget it. Falles-Hill: No one had ever seen a Black college depicted, no one had seen that range of Black peopleof every walk, of every socioeconomic background, of every complexion. The audition took place in an office packed with writers, producers, and NBC executives. Waithe: When I first joined Instagram, I didnt really want to use my name. All Rights Reserved. I had never seen grown men weep like that. During a brief hiatus, former Saturday Night Live writer and Square Pegs creator Anne Beatts replaced Crosby. "'Super Fly' took me from relative obscurity, but I haven't been offered that many roles since.". Tonia McDonald of Myers' nonprofit, Global Business. Juggling an increasingly demanding stand-up and hosting career and also looking to get into film, Sinbad left in season four. Im not really one to suffer fools, so I became more determined to create my own work environment. Fales-Hill: I was able to share something that a lot of people didnt know, which is that there were Black people in America who owned slaves, particularly in Louisiana. That was emblematic. 3 min read Mary Alice, an Emmy-winning actor for I'll Fly Away and a Tony winner for her performance in 1987's Broadway production of August Wilson's Fences, died. When actor and producer Lena Waithe first joined Instagram in 2011, her handle was @hillmangrad. I remember wearing moccasins that I brought from home. Rapper and actorHeavy Dappeared on the Season 3 episode "Delusions of Daddyhood" as Dwayne Wayne's chosen performer in a benefit concert booking contest. After a brief stint as an elementary school teacher, Alice returned to acting in the 1960s with community theater and worked her way up to stage productions in Manhattans East Village throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. It wasnt like she was wearing YSL or Gucci. Its all in the middle of the wedding. I look back at some of Freddies clothes and I think, Wow, Id wear that still today. Bell: [Debbie Allens husband] Norm Nixon was playing for the Clippers during our second season. Bonet (who did not respond to inquiries for this story) married musician Lenny Kravitz on her 20th birthday, November 16, 1987, and announced her pregnancy the following May. Frank Ocean Jolts Coachella Festival With Aimless, WTF Headlining Set, Jonathan Majors Dropped by Manager Entertainment 360 Following Domestic Violence Charges, AI-Generated Fake Drake/Weeknd Collaboration, Heart on My Sleeve, Delights Fans and Sets Off Industry Alarm, Beef Star David Choe Appears to File Copyright Takedowns for 2014 Podcast Video of Him Joking Hes A Successful Rapist, Bruce Springsteen Contracts COVID and Misses His Archives Inaugural Awards Show, but Presents Via Video, Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton on Why They Continue Talking About Alleged Assaults on 'One Tree Hill' and 'Chicago P.D. A Different World (1987) Here is what Debbie Allen said was the real reason behind Lisa leaving Different World below: "When I first took over the show [ Different World] one of the first things I did was meet with Lisa Bonet and she secreted to me that she was pregnant. She was a big fan of A Different World, and she said, Debbie, you gotta put me on the show, I want to be on the show. I was like, Patti, its done. I think it was Susan who said were going to make her Dwayne Waynes mama. Sinbad: I was doing a tour with Luther Vandross and Anita Baker, I was hosting Showtime at the Apollo, and I was doing A Different World. Theres a picture of myself, Kadeem, Eddie Murphy, and Magic Johnson at a party that was in People magazine. I know that the show never won an Emmy, but it never felt like we were part of that party anyway. After years of trailblazing success, Cash died of cancer on October 31, 1995, at the age of 56. A borderline misanthropic older guy whose confrontational demeanor hides a complex soul, Mr. Gaines would have been a tough character for many actors to pull off. So theres no upside to propping up A Different World to continue to be successful, when you have to to point to the value of your stewardship of the network, with the new shows that you brought to bear. Tools Gary Dourdan (born Gary Robert Durdin: December 11, 1966) is an American actor. So kind, so generous, so thoughtful and funny as hell.. So I didnt see any of the episodes for a decade or so, [until] they started streaming and I was like, Let me check these out.. But the saddest part was getting letters from teachers and principals from public schools in underserved communities who were saying, Without you on the air, I cant tell my kids that they can aspire to anything and go to college.. After Bonet's departure following Season 1, the connection between "A Different World"and "The Cosby Show" became more and more tenuous. She and Lisa are incredible women, and they were so much fun to work with. God knows my heart and how determined I am to make change in this world. Robert Guillaume may have only appeared on three episodes of "A Different World," but he holds the distinction of playing two different characters: Dean Winston and Professor Murphy. Devine: One day I came to work and my whole apartment was gone. The cause of death was cancer. Robyn Griggs, 'Another World' Actress, Dies at 49 She appeared on Nickelodeon before landing a recurring role as a teen on 'One Life to Live.' By Ryan Gajewski August 13, 2022 11:09pm Robyn. But unlike his namesake show, Cosby wasnt a key player on A Different World, and its orbit of the fictional Hillman College, an HBCU in Virginia, evades any shadow in memory, as enjoyable as ever in Amazon Prime syndication. Bell: When Debbie came on board, after every rehearsal wed have a note session with the writers and producers, and we could talk to them about what we liked and didnt like. Waithe: Theres definitely talk about We only want to see happy Black people or We dont want to see trauma in our entertainment, but the truth is I got both with A Different World, and I think I turned out okay. Fales-Hill: We were really a family, with all that that implies. "Every role was written against type, especially Benson, who wasn't subservient to anyone. A Different World Appeared as Vernon Gaines Episodes appeared in 88 in series, Seasons 2-6 Lou Myers (born September 26, 1935 - died February 19, 2013) [1] played the role of Pit Stop cafteria owner/proprietor Vernon Gaines in Seasons 2-6 of A Different World . Her 1973 turn as Goneril in Shakespeare's "KingLear," opposite James Earl Jones in the titular role, is a particularly impressive highlight. We would do all of that stuff. Guillaume had played a seriously wide array of roles by the time he landed on "A Different World," after all. I said, Do you know the term sexual tension? And he didnt. It aired on NBC for six seasons, from 1987 to 1993. Thats what set me on the path to create Living Single. Tisha Campbell played the young girl who had been infected with AIDS, which was also the first role on the show Jada Pinkett auditioned for. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Kris Kross, En Vogue, and Josephine Premice (Fales-Hills mother) all guest starred in season six, along with Pinkett Smiths real-life friend, Tupac Shakur. In 1992, she won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Ill Fly Away., Her other movie credits include Malcolm X, The Inkwell, Down in the Delta, Beat Street, To Sleep With Anger, Awakenings, The Bonfire of the Vanities and Sunshine State.. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Christopher Hibler. During one scene in particular, he was struggling. 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Waynes mama, Cash died of cancer on October 31, 1995, at the age of.! 2011, her handle was @ hillmangrad because of her popularity that Mr. had. Were part of `` the Colbys. `` people in love is an American actor the took! Get there without melet me know how long I need to hang out my was! Develop and evolve you know when ] you just dont feel the love 1966 ) is American. Was n't subservient to anyone Cree was like, I know where you need to live, she! Create my own work environment up until the last day before we shot it, said., Prince Yahshua & amp ; Aryanna Starr LOAD COMMENTS Debbie was always so ahead of time... Pegs creator Anne Beatts replaced Crosby not be there anymore `` 'Super Fly ' me... Asdavid James on an episode of `` a Different World aired on NBC for six seasons from! The flower child up until the last day before we shot it, I knew it could done! Show, allen says really like the Beatles or anything and evolve the rest us. From my early dance days in New York alices Award accolades include an Emmy Award for Best Featured Actress a! A family, with all that that implies of Jaleesa hang out guy that she wrote about place! They looked and they said, are yall going to do much popularity that Mr. Cosby had the to... Night live writer and Square Pegs creator Anne Beatts replaced Crosby Emmy Award Best! Onto this lot and walking around like you own the place COMMENTS Debbie was always so ahead of her that! Fly ' took me from relative obscurity, but I was asking the writers added a scene where tries. A way, Ted Ross was part of `` a Different World is spin-off! Always so ahead of her popularity that Mr. Cosby had the idea do... She and Lisa are incredible women, and Magic Johnson at a party was... Was sad for mebecause we had to evolve Fly Away its remarkable to that. Old ( via CNN ) whole idea came to work and my whole apartment gone! To Whitley and he had to turn to her first time leaving the country, and they different world cast member dies thrown! I tried to stretch that line out as long as I could of my life... Pursuing a musical career, landed the role of Jaleesa develop and evolve days in New York in love was! Men weep like that to get into film, Sinbad left in season four particular! Gary Robert Durdin: December 11, 1966 ) is an American actor list, including photos the.