She’s an icon of American television, forever remembered as Clair Huxtable, the brilliant and loving matriarch of The Cosby Show. But behind the scenes, Phylicia Rashad has always been a devoted mother and a relentless force of creativity. In a candid conversation with Closer Weekly, Phylicia opens up about the emotional moment when her youngest daughter, Condola Rashad, left for college. "There was this sudden silence," Phylicia recalls, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "For about five minutes, I just lost it. Thank heavens I had work to keep me grounded because, let’s face it, I was hands-on with my kids." Over time, Phylicia learned to adapt to this new chapter in her life. "I was used to ensuring my two children—Condola and my son William Bowles III—had everything they needed," she adds. "But suddenly, I found all this free time for myself. It was different, but in a good way!"
These days, Phylicia is diving headfirst into a variety of exciting new ventures. From guiding Jean-Claude Van Damme as a spy operative in the Amazon series Jean-Claude Van Johnson to portraying the cunning matriarch on Empire, she’s proving that her talent knows no bounds. Now, at 69, Phylicia is stepping into the director’s chair for the comedy Our Lady of 121st Street, which graced the NYC stage from May 1 to June 10. In this exclusive interview with Closer, Phylicia shares insights into her vibrant third act, her incredible family (including her Tony-nominated sister, Debbie Allen), and how, despite three marriages, she feels "surrounded by love." Scroll down to read our Q&A with Phylicia!
Phylicia as Clair on The Cosby Show.
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Embracing New Challenges with Open Arms
You might recognize Phylicia Rashad from her iconic role as Clair Huxtable, but she’s showing the world that there’s so much more to her. In her latest projects, she’s taken on entirely new roles that highlight her versatility and charm. "In Jean-Claude Van Johnson, you see Jean-Claude Van Damme and me in ways you’ve never seen us before," Phylicia says with a laugh. "It’s been a long time since we’ve had this kind of silly, fun energy on screen—think Get Smart!" But that’s not all. This summer, Phylicia juggled working on the play Head of Passes in LA and flying to Chicago to film scenes for Empire. "It was a lot," she admits, "but it was also a blessing. Every moment was worth it."
Fans Still Call Her Clair Huxtable—And That’s Okay
Even though Phylicia has taken on many roles since The Cosby Show, fans still refer to her as Clair Huxtable. And now, with her role as Diana DuBois on Empire, people are starting to call her by that name too. "It’s fascinating," Phylicia reflects. "If I’d stopped working after The Cosby Show, I’d still be proud of what I accomplished. But the fact that people continue to connect with my work means the world to me."
Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women
Playing a professional mom in the ’80s wasn’t just groundbreaking—it was revolutionary. "I was surprised by the impact it had," Phylicia shares. "But what really resonated with me was the way it helped women laugh at the everyday challenges of raising kids. Adolescent behavior, in particular, can be maddening, but laughter is the best medicine." Phylicia’s portrayal of Clair Huxtable gave women a voice and showed them they weren’t alone in their struggles.
