Keshia Knight Pulliam

Keshia Knight Pulliam was born on April 9, 1979, in Newark, New Jersey. She began her career at nine months old, appearing in a national print advertisement for Johnson & Johnson baby products. At age three, she featured on ‘Sesame Street.’ Her breakthrough role came in 1984 as Rudy Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show,’ a character she played until the series concluded in 1992. In 1986, at age six, she received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, becoming the youngest person to be nominated in this category. She continued her acting work in television commercials and various TV shows during this period. After ‘The Cosby Show’ ended in 1992, Pulliam focused on her education, graduating from Spelman College in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

Upon returning to acting, she took on the role of Miranda Lucas-Payne in Tyler Perry’s ‘House of Payne,’ which ran from 2007 to 2012, and later returned for its revival from 2020 to the present. This role earned her multiple NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Her film credits include ‘The Last Dragon’ (1985), ‘Polly’ (1989), ‘Madea Goes to Jail’ (2009), and ‘Beauty Shop’ (2005). Knight Pulliam has also expanded her career into directing, including episodes of ‘House of Payne,’ and has served as a producer on TV movies such as ‘Wife Stalker’ and ‘A New Orleans Noel.’

Beyond her acting and production roles, Pulliam has engaged in various media appearances as a celebrity contestant on shows like ‘Fear Factor,’ ‘The Weakest Link,’ ‘The Celebrity Apprentice,’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother.’ These experiences have contributed to her public profile and demonstrated her versatility within the entertainment industry. She is also the founder of Kamp Kizzy, a non-profit organization for young girls, reflecting her commitment to community involvement.