Overview

Tempestt Bledsoe, born on August 1, 1973, is an American actress best known for her role as Vanessa Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” She began her career early, working as a model at age four and appearing in commercials before landing her iconic role at age 11. She was a series regular on “The Cosby Show” from 1984 to 1992. Beyond “The Cosby Show,” Bledsoe has maintained a steady acting career, appearing in various television shows and films. She hosted her own daytime talk show, “The Tempestt Bledsoe Show,” in the mid-1990s and has taken on recurring roles in shows like “The Practice,” “Strong Medicine,” and “South of Nowhere.” More recently, she has been involved in projects such as the Oxygen Channel’s “Husband for Hire,” Steven Bochco’s “Raising the Bar,” and Disney Channel’s animated series “The Replacements.” She also hosted “Clean House” on the Style Network. Bledsoe earned a finance degree from New York University. Since 1993, she has been in a relationship with actor Darryl M. Bell.

What Is Tempestt Bledsoe’s Net Worth?

Tempestt Bledsoe, a prominent American television actress, has accumulated a net worth of $4 million. This figure represents a combined net worth with her partner of over three decades, actor Darryl M. Bell. The couple, who first connected in 1992, shared the screen on the “Cosby” spinoff, “A Different World,” and later in the Fox network reality show, “Househusbands of Hollywood.” Bledsoe’s most recognized role remains that of Vanessa Huxtable on the highly successful NBC sitcom, “The Cosby Show,” where she appeared in 157 out of the show’s 201 episodes.

Tempestt Bledsoe’s Early Career and “The Cosby Show” Stardom

Born on August 1, 1973, in Chicago, Illinois, Tempestt Bledsoe showed an early interest in the world of acting. Before landing her role in “The Cosby Show,” Bledsoe modeled at the age of four and appeared in commercials for well-known brands such as Kellogg’s and Safeway. At the age of nine, she auditioned for “The Cosby Show,” a new television project from comedian Bill Cosby, which turned out to be a significant milestone in her career. In 1984, at the age of 11, Bledsoe secured the part of Vanessa Huxtable, the fourth child of the family led by Cliff and Clair Huxtable.

“The Cosby Show” aired on NBC on Thursday nights and was the top-rated show on television for five years in a row. It is one of only two shows in Nielsen ratings history to have achieved this. The show remained in the top 20 rated shows for its entire eight-season run. The show helped create a larger variety of shows that featured a predominantly black cast possible, like “In Living Color” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” It also inspired the spin-off show “A Different World.” Bledsoe made a one-time appearance on that show.

While working on “The Cosby Show,” Bledsoe took on other acting roles and made television appearances. In 1985, she played herself in “NBC Special Treat,” “Andy Williams and the NBC Kids Search for Santa,” and “One to Grow On.” In 1986, she played Grace Wheeler in the 15th season of ABC’s “Afterschool Special” program and appeared as herself on “Hollywood Squares.” She would appear on “Hollywood Squares” again in 1988. In 1988, she played a role in the television film “Dance ’til Dawn” and appeared in an episode of “Monsters.” In the 1989 television film “Dream Date,” she played Dannie Fairview, and in the 1990 “Earth Day Special,” she played Vanessa Huxtable. In 1989, she was named a national spokesperson for the DARE organization.

Post-“Cosby Show” Career and Television Appearances

After “The Cosby Show” ended in 1992, Tempestt Bledsoe continued her acting career, although she took a break for a few years to finish college. She appeared as a guest on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” in 1995. In the same year, she launched “The Tempestt Bledsoe Show,” a talk show that aired from 1995 to 1996. Columbia TriStar Television and Dick Clark produced the show. In 1997, she made an appearance on “Jenny.” She then had a recurring role as Roberta Baylor in several episodes of “The Practice.” The same year, she appeared in the film “Johnny B Good.” She finished the 1990s by appearing in an episode of “The Parkers” and in the television film “Santa in Pete” in 1999.

Throughout the 2000s, Bledsoe continued to appear in guest roles on television series and films. She starred in “The Expendables,” “Fire & Ice,” “The Cosby Show: A Look Back,” and “BachelorMan.” She also served as a judge on three episodes of “Pet Star” in 2003. She has also been in “Rock Me Baby,” “Strong Medicine,” “South of Nowhere,” and the television movie “Husband for Hire.” In 2008, she landed a recurring voice role on “The Replacements,” where she contributed to 21 episodes.

In 2010, she appeared in the film “N-Secure” and voiced a character in the 2012 animated film “ParaNorman.” She hosted the reality show “Clean House” from 2010 to 2011. She has also appeared in “Vietnam in HD,” “Guys with Kids,” “Instant Mom,” and “Family Reunion.” Tempestt Bledsoe’s appearances extend beyond acting roles, as she participated in several reality television shows. Her time on VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club” resulted in a weight loss of approximately 20 pounds. She also appeared on NBC’s “Fear Factor.” In 2009, she and her family starred in the Fox Reality Channel show “Househusbands of Hollywood.” Billy Ashley, a former professional baseball player, Grant Reynolds, a former United States Marine Corps sniper, and Charlie Mattera, an actor and screenwriter, were among the cast members.

Tempestt Bledsoe’s Personal Life and Education

Despite her busy acting career, Bledsoe graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Bledsoe began dating actor Darryl M. Bell in 1993. Bell co-starred in the NBC television comedy “A Different World,” where they first met. The couple has appeared together in public many times throughout their relationship. They starred in the Fox Reality Channel series “Househusbands of Hollywood,” which premiered in August 2009. Bledsoe has remained close friends with Pam Potillo, her former “The Cosby Show” co-star. She is also interested in health and fitness and is a vegetarian. Tempestt Bledsoe’s career choices and personal life have significantly contributed to her current net worth, positioning her as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

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