Daphne Etta Reid (née Maxwell; July 13, 1948) is an American actress, comedian, designer, and former model. She is best known for her role as the second Vivian Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1993 to 1996.
Daphne Maxwell Reid | |
|---|---|
 Reid in 2012 | |
| Born | Daphne Etta Maxwell[1] July 13, 1948 New York City, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, comedian, designer, model |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
Reid was born in New York City, the daughter of Rosalee and Green Maxwell.[1] She is a graduate of The Bronx High School of Science. She received a degree in interior design and architecture from Northwestern University, which she attended on a scholarship and where she became the first African-American woman to be named homecoming queen. While at Northwestern she began a modeling career, eventually signing with the Eileen Ford modeling agency. She was the first African-American woman to be on the cover of Glamour magazine.[2]
Career
She has appeared in numerous television programs. Her best-known role was as the replacement actress for Vivian Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1993 to 1996, following the departure of Janet Hubert-Whitten. She joined the show right after the fictional character Nicky Banks was born toward the end of Season 3, when Hubert-Whitten did not renew her contract.
Before that role, she starred in several television series including, Simon & Simon, Frank’s Place, and Snoops.
She had a recurring role as JT's mother, Frances Hunter, on the UPN sitcom Eve, and then played Juanita Lawrence on the BET sitcom Let's Stay Together.
Reid is also an accomplished photographer[3] as well as a designer and clothing creator.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Reid served on the advisory board of the National Student Film Institute.[4][5]
She is a recipient of the Women of Vision Award from Women in Film & Video, among a myriad of other awards.
In 2022, she guest stars in the ninth episode of Bel-Air, the dramatic reimagining of Fresh Prince, as Helen, an Art Council board member. [6]
Personal life
In 1968, during her junior year at Northwestern, Maxwell married Robert Tubbs.[7] They had one son, Chris, before divorcing in 1979.[8]
She married actor Tim Reid in 1982, and became stepmother to his two children.[9] With Reid, she owned and operated New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Virginia, until 2014.[8]
She also served on the board of visitors at Virginia State University, for eight years. She was appointed in July 2008.[8]
On July 31, 2010, she became an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, during their 50th national convention in New Orleans.[8]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Protocol | Helene | |
| 1992 | Color Adjustment | Herself | Documentary |
| 1995 | Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored | Miss Maxey | Also Second Unit Director |
| 1999 | Asunder | Marty's Wife | Also Co-Executive Producer |
| 2002 | Paul Mooney: Analyzing White America | — | Documentary (Co-Executive Producer) |
| 2003 | For Real | — | Executive Producer |
| 2010 | Pantheon Black | Mom | Direct-to-video |
| 2013 | Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions | Principal Brown | |
| 2015 | Living in a Food Desert | Narrator | Documentary |
| 2016 | By the Grace of Bob | Nell | |
| 2016 | Playing the Duke | Sally | Short film |
| 2018 | Out of Gas | Mother | |
| 2019 | Harriet | Miz Lucy | |
| 2022 | A Jazzman's Blues | Elderly Hattie Mae |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | The Duke | Unknown role | 2 episodes |
| 1979 | A Man Called Sloane | Dr. Karla Meredith | "The Shangri-La Syndrome" Credited as Daphne Maxwell |
| 1980 | Coach of the Year | Merissa Lane | TV movie Credited as Daphne Maxwell |
| 1980–1982 | WKRP in Cincinnati | Jessica Langtree / Elaine Parker | 2 episodes |
| 1981–1986 | Hill Street Blues | Kelly Martin / News Anchor / Sheila Roberts | 4 episodes |
| 1983 | T.J. Hooker | Ellen | "The Shadow of Truth" |
| 1983 | Hardcastle and McCormick | Newswoman / Tawnia Grey | 3 episodes |
| 1983–1985 | The A-Team | Kamora Kaboko / Nurse Lewis | 2 episodes |
| 1983–1987 | Simon & Simon | Temple Hill | Series regular (16 episodes) |
| 1984 | The Duck Factory | Saleswoman | "Filling Buddy's Shoes" |
| 1984 | Matt Houston | Mrs. Richards | "Stolen" |
| 1984 | Paper Dolls | Nancy | "#1.13" |
| 1985 | The Insiders | Unknown role | "Another Fine Mess" |
| 1985 | Cagney & Lacey | Noreen Adler | "The Clinic" |
| 1985 | The Fall Guy | Unknown role | "Seavers: Dead or Alive" |
| 1986 | That's My Mama Now! | Tracy Taylor | TV movie |
| 1987 | The Long Journey Home | Joan Haines | TV movie |
| 1987 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Host | 6 episodes |
| 1987–1988 | Frank's Place | Hanna Griffin | Series regular (22 episodes) |
| 1987–1988 | Super Password | Herself / Celebrity Contestant | Recurring role (18 episodes) |
| 1987–1989 | The New Hollywood Squares | Herself / Panelist | Recurring role (5 episodes) |
| 1988 | Murder, She Wrote | Nan Wynn | "The Body Politic" |
| 1989 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Judith Daniels | "The Cheats" |
| 1989 | Snoops | Micki Dennis | Co Star - 13 episodes |
| 1990 | Match Game | Herself / Panelist | Recurring role (5 episodes) |
| 1992 | The Cosby Show | Millicent | "Clair's Reunion" |
| 1992 | You Must Remember This | Coach Dawson | TV movie |
| 1993–1996 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Vivian Banks | Series regular (74 episodes) |
| 1994 | Will You Marry Me? | Herself | TV movie |
| 1996 | Sister, Sister | Charmagne | "Double Exposure" |
| 1998 | In the House | Cleopatra "Cleo" Stanton | "My Pest Friend's Wedding" |
| 1998-2000 | Linc's | Eartha | 14 episodes |
| 2000 | Alley Cats Strike | Cathy McLemore | TV movie |
| 2003–2006 | Eve | Frances Hunter | Recurring role (6 episodes) |
| 2004 | Crossing Jordan | Mrs. Avery | "Justice Delayed" |
| 2005 | Slavery and the Making of America | Harriet Jacobs | "Seeds of Destruction" |
| 2007 | Polly and Marie | Judge Landers | TV movie |
| 2007 | E! True Hollywood Story | Herself / Interviewee | "Will Smith" |
| 2011–2014 | Let's Stay Together | Juanita Lawrence | 3 episodes |
| 2018–2019 | Jacqueline and Jilly | Zillah Stewart | Series regular (6 episodes) |
| 2022–present | Bel-Air | Janice | Episodes: "Can't Knock the Hustle", "Excellence Is Everywhere" |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | The Whispers: "It's A Love Thing" | Woman |