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By Ni’Kesia Pannell·Updated October 26, 2020
When A Different Worldhit the scene in 1988, no one knew the longevity that the show would hold.
Featuring a cast of powerful, educated, and revolutionary Black students, the series grew to become the inspiration behind many of television’s most memorable Black characters to date.
Opening up the conversation on usually avoided issues such as race, sex, and equal rights, A Different Worldfound a way to provide comfort to an under appreciated class of people and remind us that being Black was meant to be beautiful. Though the show only ran for five years, its impact is one that will last for a lifetime.
01
Lisa Bonet
Lisa Bonet famously left ‘A Different World’ after season two to pursue more adult projects, like ‘Bank Robber’ alongside Patrick Dempsey. She also had her daughter, Zoe with Lenny Kravitz in 1988 in the middle of filming the HBCU-focused show.
02
Lisa Bonet
Since the early 90s, Bonet has worked sporadically, starring in ‘Enemy of the State’, ‘Biker Boyz’, ‘New Girl’ and more recently in a Chanel short, ‘Jellywolf’. She’s been married to actor Jason Momoa since 2007, they share two kids together.
03
Kadeem Hardison
Making girls swoon as the smart and hilarious Dwayne Wayne, Kadeem Hardison proved that Black men — even while young — can still impact the world in their own way. Although his role as Dwayne ended in 1993, Hardison’s career was just getting started. Going on to act in amazing shows and movies such as Static Shock, Girlfriends, Between Brothers, Vampire in Brooklyn, The Sixth Man, and more,the award winning actor has proved his dedication to the art time and time again.
04
Kadeem Hardison
Currently, Hardisonstars alongside Zendaya Coleman as Craig Cooper in the hit Disney Channel series, K.C. Undercover. Additionally, he has one daughter named Sophia (b. 1996) through his previous marriage to R&B songstress Chanté Moore.
05
Jasmine Guy
Though Jasmine Guy’s bougie and prissy character Whitley Gilbert may not have been a favorite amongviewers initially, it’s almost a guarantee that feelings changed by the time the show wrapped in 1993. Giving Black love inspiration and motivation through her character’s relationship with Dwayne Wayne, Guy’s role in A Different Worldwas just the start to showcasing her mastered ability to deliver flawless execution of any role she portrays.
06
Jasmine Guy
Though her résumé has filled with impressive credits since the show’s wrapping, most recently, the actress, dancer, singer and producer has had starring roles in shows such as If Loving You Is Wrong, K.C. Undercover(alongside Kadeem Hardison), The Quad, and The Vampire Diaries.
07
Cree Summer
Beginning her role as Winifred “Freddie” Brooks during Season 2 of A Different World, Cree Summer’s character portrayal was like none other. Showing that being different while being Black is deserving of applause too, Summer’s role is one that is unmatched and undisputed as one of the best carefree character’s in Black comedy.
08
Cree Summer
While fans of Summer may not have seen her physically act in many roles since the show’s end, she has voiced many of your favorite cartoon characters including characters from Rugrats, Animaniacs, Gargoyles, As Told By Ginger, The Proud Family, Codename: Kids Next Door, and more. Summer is now married to Angelo Pullen and the pair have two daughters named Brave and Hero.
Fun fact: Did you know Cree and Kadeem were in a long-term relationship while filming A Different World? We didn’t either.
09
Darryl M Bell
10
Darryl M. Bell
He also acted in the 2000 movie Brotherand in 2013, appeared in the film The Dark Party— which was directed by his good friend Kadeem Hardison. Although Bell is not married, he has been dating fellow actress Tempest Bledsoe (The Cosby Show) since 1993.
11
Dawnn Lewis
Playing the role of Jalessa Vinson (later Vinson-Taylor), actress and singer Dawnn Lewis became the friend that every girl wanted to have in her crew. Embodying the hardworking and determined characteristics of Jalessa in her real life, Lewis has gone on to start a multi-platform production company named Morning Jewel and non-profit organization that provides financial and programmatic support to underprivileged youth by the name of A New Day. Aside from her known acting roles in A Different Worldand Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Lewis had recurring roles on One Tree Hill, The Secret Life of the American Teenagerand appeared in the 2006 film Dreamgirls.
12
Dawnn Lewis
Also lending her voice to many animations, Lewis has voiced characters on shows such as The Simpsons, Curious George, Futurama, and Doc McStuffins. Currently, the multi-talented actress can be seen in roles on TNT’s Major Crimes, the CW’s iZombie, and the recently launched Amazon pilot The Legend of Master Legend.
13
Chanele Brown
14
Charnele Brown
Now, the actress and producer is set to appear in three films — Coffee Klatch, Broken Heroes, and Love You to Death— all coming soon.
15
Sinbad
Sinbad whose real name is David Adkins got his breakout role in ‘A Different World.’ Before doing the show he was on one episode of ‘The Cosby Show’ and a couple spots on ‘The Redd Foxx Show’.
16
Sinbad
After leaving the show in 1991, Sinbad went on to have a successful career in standup comedy and film— a major moment was his 1996 HBO comedy special, ‘Sinbad: Son of a Preacher Man’. He’s still working today in small TV spots and producing.
17
Glynn Turman
Glynn Turman was acting almost thirty years before joining the cast of ‘A Different World’ as Colonel Brad Taylor. The esteemed actor —who was in ‘Cooley High’, ‘Fame’, ‘The Love Boat’ and ‘Peyton Place’— got his ex-wife, Aretha Franklin to sing the theme song for the show.
18
Glynn Turman
Turman finished out the series when the show ended in 1993 and went on to continue his robust resume of work. In the the years since ‘A Different World’ ended, Turman has worked every year. ‘Queen Sugar’, ‘House of Lies’, ‘Criminal Minds’, ‘Scrubs’, ‘The Wire’ and ‘The Bernie Mack Show’ are just a few of the many projects he’s been a part of.
