When discussing one of the most popular episodes of the show’s run, “Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse,” that aired in season four of the show, Reid recalled a very teachable moment that she witnessed between Will Smith and James Avery. “We had the permission to give our cultural perspective on how black families raised children and it was something new to television and well done I think.” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” selfie of cast for 2017: (L-R) Will Smith, Tatyana Ali, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Joseph Marcell Photo: and Reid were well-respected members of the cast and were valued by the writers of the show, too. She belonged in our reunion as much as I did, and I was happy that whatever transpired before I was hired, of which I had no knowledge, had been dealt with, and life moved on.” When we all reunited last fall, I was grateful to finally meet Janet.
I had to earn my spot, and was thrilled when it came to be. I was delighted to have a job on such a wonderful show. All actors are ‘replaceable’ according to the choices of the creators and producers of the project. “I did not feel anything about ‘ replacing‘ the original Aunt Viv. Reid said she viewed her taking over the role of Aunt Vivian midway through the show’s run as nothing more than business. But when you move on with them and when you really secure a friendship while you’re working, then they’re very valuable friendships.” You only have a few of those relationships in show business because it’s difficult to connect with people when they move on. “But he and his wife and my husband and I used to travel together. And since we lost James, it was a blow to all of us,” she said.
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“We just had such a wonderful, warm relationship with everybody on that show that they really are family to us now. The cast recently had a reunion special on HBOMax and Reid explained how much it felt like she was working with family on that particular show. I just adore the man and I guess our chemistry worked because I got the job.” (L-R): Daphne Maxwell Reid, Will Smith and Janet Hubert Photo: those three years on the show, Reid truly connected with her co-star, the late James Avery. And had the blessed, blessedness to meet James Avery and strike a chemical cord with him.
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I had to audition against 200…300 other women that they found all over the country. “Three years later, they called and said, ‘We are casting the Aunt Vivian part for ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ and I got there as fast as I could. She luckily reacted differently the second time the role was available. I guess I missed that opportunity,’ ” Reid said. And I said, ‘I’m really not interested in doing a sitcom with a rapper who’s not an actor.’ And it turned out to be “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and when I saw it on the air that fall, I said, ‘Oh, this is a cute show. “I remember back in 1989 when we first decided to leave California, I was asked to audition for a little television sitcom with a rapper. Photo by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect.Īlthough Reid joined the cast of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” in its third season, this was not the first time that she had been sought out to play the role of Aunt Vivian.
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Daphne Maxwell Reid arrives for the NBC 75th Anniversary celebration taking place live in Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center in New York City on May 5, 2002. In 1993, “ The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” was a very successful show and already into its third season when it recasted the role of Aunt Vivian, formerly played by Janet Hubert.ĭaphne Maxwell Reid won the part and ended up portraying the loving yet hysterical Aunt Vivian for the remainder of the show’s run, alongside Will Smith and James Avery.