Willam Lancelot Bowles III Biography And Net Worth
William Lancelot Bowles III is an American known for being the son of Phylicia Rashad, a famous actress in Hollywood. Phylicia Rashad gained fame for her role as Clair Huxtable on the popular TV show “The Cosby Show.”
However, William keeps a low profile and stays out of the public eye, unlike his mother who is a popular figure in the entertainment industry.
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Willam Lancelot Bowles III’s Early Life
William Lancelot Bowles III, often called “Billy,” was born in the United States in 1973. His parents are William Lancelot Bowles Jr. and Phylicia Rashad.
However, his father’s name was passed down to him, making him the third William Lancelot Bowles in his family. Growing up, he was commonly known as Billy, a nickname that distinguished him from his father.
Billy’s mother, Phylicia Rashad, is a well-known actress. She is famous for her role as Clair Huxtable on the popular TV show “The Cosby Show.”
Despite her busy career, she has always been an important part of Billy’s life. Billy is not an only child; he has a half-sister named Condola Rashad.
Condola, following in their mother’s footsteps, has also become an actress. She has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry, just like their mother.
As a child, Billy had the unique experience of being part of a family involved in the arts. With his mother’s influence and his sister’s similar career path, he was surrounded by creativity and performance from a young age.
Now, in 2024, Billy is 51 years old. He has lived through many changes in the entertainment world and has seen his family members achieve success in their fields.
Although there is not much public information about his personal life and career, it is clear that Billy Bowles has a strong family heritage and connection to the arts.
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Willam Lancelot Bowles III’s Mother, Phylicia Rashad Career
Phylicia Rashad is a talented actress known for her work on stage and screen. Born in Houston, Texas, she has had a long and successful career that began in the early 1970s and continues today.
Rashad has become a beloved figure in American entertainment, best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the NBC sitcom “The Cosby Show.”
Phylicia Rashad’s career began in theater. She made her Broadway debut in 1971 in the musical “Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death,” created by Melvin Van Peebles.
Throughout the 1970s, Rashad continued to appear on Broadway in various productions. One of her notable roles during this time was as Deena Jones in the musical “Dreamgirls.”
She also played a Munchkin in the popular musical “The Wiz” for three and a half years. In 1978, Rashad released a disco album titled “Josephine Superstar,” which told the life story of the famous entertainer Josephine Baker.
The album was produced by Jacques Morali and Victor Willis, Rashad’s second husband, who was also a member of the Village People.
Rashad met Willis while they were both working on “The Wiz.” In 1983, Rashad joined the cast of the ABC soap opera “One Life to Live,” and she played a publicist named Courtney Wright.
However, her big break came in 1984 when she was cast as Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” The show, which starred Bill Cosby, was a huge success and ran until 1992.
Rashad’s portrayal of Clair, a smart and loving attorney, made her a household name and an inspiration to many. During the run of “The Cosby Show,” Rashad co-hosted the NBC telecast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1985.
She later reunited with Bill Cosby on the CBS sitcom “Cosby,” which aired from 1996 to 2000. She played Ruth Lucas, Cosby’s character’s wife. Rashad also lent her voice to the animated series “Little Bill,” voicing the character Brenda, Bill’s mother, until the show ended in 2004.
Outside of television, Rashad continued to work in theater. Her Broadway credits include performances in “August: Osage County,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Gem of the Ocean,” “Raisin in the Sun,” “Blue,” “Jelly’s Last Jam,” “Into the Woods,” and “Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death.”
She also performed in various Off-Broadway productions and regional theaters across the country. In 2004, Rashad made history as the first Black actress to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role as Lena Younger in the revival of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
She also won the Drama Desk Award for the same role. Rashad continued to receive acclaim for her theater work, earning another Tony nomination in 2005 for “Gem of the Ocean.”
Rashad made her directorial debut in 2007 with the Seattle Repertory Theatre’s production of “Gem of the Ocean.” In 2008, she starred in an all-African American production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” directed by her sister Debbie Allen.
She performed alongside James Earl Jones, Anika Noni Rose, and Terrence Howard. Rashad also appeared in television roles during this period. She played “Kill Moves”‘ wealthy mother on the sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris” in 2007 and 2008.
She reprised her role as Lena Younger in the 2008 television film adaptation of “A Raisin in the Sun,” which was well-received by audiences and critics alike.
In 2009, Rashad took on the challenging role of Violet Weston in “August: Osage County” at the Music Box Theatre. She returned to directing in 2014 with a revival of August Wilson’s “Fences” at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey.
Rashad continued to focus on Wilson’s work, directing productions of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and other plays. Rashad appeared in several films during this time, including Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls” in 2010 and “Good Deeds” in 2012.
She also starred in the remake of “Steel Magnolias” in 2012, which featured an all-African-American cast. From 2019 to 2021, Rashad played Carol Clarke in the NBC drama series “This Is Us,” earning three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
In 2020, she provided the voice of Libba Gardner, Joe Gardner’s mother, in the Pixar animated film “Soul,” which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Rashad also had a supporting role in the 2020 Christmas film “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.” In 2021, she made a cameo appearance in the musical drama “Tick, Tick…Boom!” directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Rashad had recurring roles on the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” in 2020 and the CBS series “The Good Fight” in 2022.
In 2022, Rashad returned to Broadway in the play “Skeleton Crew,” earning a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
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What Is Willam Lancelot Bowles III’s Mother, Phylicia Rashad Net Worth?
As of 2024, her net worth is estimated to be over $25 million. This impressive amount is a result of her long and distinguished career in the entertainment industry.
Phylicia Rashad gained fame for her role as Clair Huxtable on the popular TV show “The Cosby Show,” which aired from 1984 to 1992. Her talent and charisma on screen earned her critical acclaim and made her a household name.
While there is little information available about William Lancelot Bowles III, it is clear that his mother, Phylicia Rashad, has built a significant fortune through her hard work and dedication to her craft.
