Karyn Parsons
Parsons in 2021
Born
Karen L. Parsons

(1966-10-08) October 8, 1966
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • author
  • comedian
Years active1987–2002
2019–present
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1987; div. 1990)​
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2003)​
    Children2

    Karyn Parsons Rockwell (born October 8, 1966) is an American actress, author and comedian. She is best known for her role as Hilary Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1990 to 1996. Parsons also starred in the 1995 film Major Payne opposite Damon Wayans, and in The Job (2001–2002) as Toni.

    Early life

    Parsons was born on October 8, 1966, in Los Angeles, California.[1] In an interview for Essence in 2008, she described her parentage as biracial.[2] Her mother, Louise (Hankerson) Parsons, was an African-American from Charleston, South Carolina, and her father, Kenneth B. Parsons, was of English and Welsh descent, from Butte, Montana. She attended Santa Monica High School.[3]

    Career

    Parsons starred as Hilary Banks on the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996. She co-created, co-produced, co-wrote, and co-starred on the Fox sitcom Lush Life in 1996, which was later canceled after four episodes. In 2001, she starred in the critically acclaimed but short-lived television series The Job with Denis Leary. Besides television, Parsons has starred in several films, particularly in comedies such as Late Nights (1992), Major Payne (1995), and The Ladies Man (2000). Parsons is the founder of the Sweet Blackberry Foundation,[4] which produces animated films and books about unsung black heroes. The first video in the series was about Henry Box Brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom.[5]

    Parsons has also published three books for children: a middle-grade novel, How High the Moon (2019), which was loosely inspired by stories of her mother's childhood in the Jim Crow South;[6] and two Sweet Blackberry picture-book biographies about black historical figures, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie: Flying Free (2020) about pioneering aviator Bessie Coleman, and Saving the Day (2021) about inventor Garrett Morgan.

    Personal life

    Parsons married director Alexandre Rockwell in 2003.[7] Together they have a daughter, Lana, and a son, Nico.[8]

    Filmography

    Film

    Year Title Role Notes
    1989 Death Spa Brooke Her film debut
    1992 Class Act Ellen
    1995 Major Payne Emily Walburn
    1998 Mixing Nia Nia
    2000 The Ladies Man Julie Simmons
    2002 13 Moons Lily
    2019 On Monday of Last Week Tracy Short film
    2020 Sweet Thing Eve

    Television

    Year Title Role Notes
    1987 The Bronx Zoo Amelia 2 episodes
    1988 Hunter Elizabeth Childs Episode: "Renegade"
    1988 CBS Summer Playhouse Lynette Episode: "Roughhouse"
    1990–96 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Hilary Banks Main role; 146 episodes
    1992 Blossom Hilary Banks Episode: "Wake Up Little Suzy"
    1992 Out All Night Hilary Banks Episode: "The Great Pretender"
    1995 The John Larroquette Show Annie Episode: "Several Unusual Love Stories"
    1996 Gulliver's Travels Lady-in-waiting Episode: "February 4, 1996"
    1996 Lush Life Margot Hines Lead role
    1999 Melrose Place Jackie Zambrano 2 episodes
    1999 Linc's Elaine Episode: "Dog Day Afternoon"
    2001–02 The Job Toni Main role
    2002 Static Shock Tracy Flackman Voice, episode: "Static Shaq"

    Bibliography

    • How High the Moon (2019)
    • Flying Free (2020)

    References

    1. ↑ "Karyn Parsons". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
    2. ↑ "KARYN PARSONS:it's HARD BEING BIRACIAL IN AMERICA/RAISING BIRACIAL KIDS". Black Celeb Kids. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
    3. ↑ "Karyn Parsons Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on June 19, 2006.
    4. ↑ "Sweet Blackberry Foundation". Retrieved 2022-03-10.
    5. ↑ Maltais, Michelle (December 22, 2005). "Delivered from slavery". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
    6. ↑ Rogo, Paula (August 18, 2018). "You'll Want To Add 'Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Star Karyn Parsons' Debut Novel To Your Bookshelf". Essence. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
    7. ↑ Spencer, Ashley (2 October 2019). "What Happened to 'Fresh Prince' Star Karyn Parsons?". Vice. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
    8. ↑ Hunt, Stephen (February 3, 2008). "Fresh Prince's Hilary Produces a Little Black History". Calgary Herald. Postmedia Network. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
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