Daphne Etta Reid (née Maxwell; July 13, 1948) is an American actress, comedian, designer, and former model. She is known for her role as the second Vivian Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1993 to 1996.
Early life Reid was born in New York City, United States, the daughter of Rosalee and Green Maxwell. 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 Ford Models. She was the first African-American woman to be on the cover of Glamour magazine.
Career
In her early career, Reid appeared in numerous television programs including WKRP in Cincinnati (with husband Tim Reid), The A-Team, Hill Street Blues, T.J. Hooker, Hardcastle and McCormick, Cagney & Lacey, Murder, She Wrote and The Cosby Show.
From 1983-1987, Reid appeared as a recurring character, often with her husband, on the CBS detective series Simon & Simon. The two then starred together on two short-lived CBS shows: Frank's Place (1987-1988) and Snoops (1989-1990).
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.
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 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.
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 Janice, an Art Council executive director.
Personal life
In 1968, during her junior year at Northwestern, Maxwell married Robert Tubbs. They had one son, Chris, before divorcing in 1979.
She married actor Tim Reid in 1982, and became stepmother to his two children. With Reid, she owned and operated New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Virginia, until 2014.
She also served on the board of visitors at Virginia State University, for eight years. She was appointed in July 2008.
On July 31, 2010, she became an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, during their 50th national convention in New Orleans.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1984 ProtocolHelene1992Color AdjustmentHerselfDocumentary1995Once Upon a Time... When We Were ColoredMiss MaxeyAlso Second Unit Director1999AsunderMarty's WifeAlso Co-Executive Producer2002Paul Mooney: Analyzing White AmericaDocumentary(Co-Executive Producer)2003For RealExecutive Producer2010Pantheon BlackMomDirect-to-video2013Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy LionsPrincipal Brown2015Living in a Food DesertNarratorDocumentary2016By the Grace of BobNell2016Playing the DukeSallyShort film2018Out of GasMother2019HarrietMiz Lucy2022A Jazzman's BluesElderly Hattie Mae
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1979The DukeUnknown role2 episodes1979A Man Called SloaneDr. Karla Meredith"The Shangri-La Syndrome"Credited as Daphne Maxwell1980Coach of the YearMerissa LaneTV movieCredited as Daphne Maxwell1980–1982WKRP in CincinnatiJessica Langtree / Elaine Parker2 episodes1981–1986Hill Street BluesKelly Martin / News Anchor / Sheila Roberts4 episodes1983T.J. HookerEllen"The Shadow of Truth"1983Hardcastle and McCormickNewswoman / Tawnia Grey3 episodes1983–1985The A-TeamKamora Kaboko / Nurse Lewis2 episodes1983–1987Simon & SimonTemple HillSeries regular (16 episodes)1984The Duck FactorySaleswoman"Filling Buddy's Shoes"1984Matt HoustonMrs. Richards"Stolen"1984Paper DollsNancy"#1.13"1985The InsidersUnknown role"Another Fine Mess"1985Cagney & LaceyNoreen Adler"The Clinic"1985The Fall GuyUnknown role"Seavers: Dead or Alive"1986That's My Mama Now!Tracy TaylorTV movie1987The Long Journey HomeJoan HainesTV movie1987CBS Summer PlayhouseHost6 episodes1987–1988Frank's PlaceHanna GriffinSeries regular (22 episodes)1987–1988Super PasswordHerself / Celebrity ContestantRecurring role (18 episodes)1987–1989The New Hollywood SquaresHerself / PanelistRecurring role (5 episodes)1988Murder, She WroteNan Wynn"The Body Politic"1989ABC Afterschool SpecialsJudith Daniels"The Cheats"1989SnoopsMicki DennisCo Star - 13 episodes1990Match GameHerself / PanelistRecurring role (5 episodes)1992The Cosby ShowMillicent"Clair's Reunion"1992You Must Remember ThisCoach DawsonTV movie1993–1996The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirVivian BanksSeries regular (74 episodes) (Seasons 4-6)1994Will You Marry Me?HerselfTV movie1996Sister, SisterCharmagne"Double Exposure"1998In the HouseCleopatra "Cleo" Stanton"My Pest Friend's Wedding"1998-2000Linc'sEartha14 episodes2000Alley Cats StrikeCathy McLemoreTV movie2003–2006EveFrances HunterRecurring role (6 episodes)2004Crossing JordanMrs. Avery"Justice Delayed"2005Slavery and the Making of AmericaHarriet Jacobs"Seeds of Destruction"2007Polly and MarieJudge LandersTV movie2007E! True Hollywood StoryHerself / Interviewee"Will Smith"2011–2014Let's Stay TogetherJuanita Lawrence3 episodes2018–2019Jacqueline and JillyZillah StewartSeries regular (6 episodes) 2022–present Bel-Air Janice Episodes: "Can't Knock the Hustle", "Excellence Is Everywhere"
Music videos YearTitleRoleNotes1981The Whispers: "It's A Love Thing"Woman
References
External links