From Eric Roberson Music–In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the popular series we’re taking a look back at the gang ‘from’ Hillman College and asking ‘Where are they now?’
Kadeem Hardison: Dwayne Wayne
Kadeem Hardison has appeared in a variety of television shows following A Different World. In 2006, he played American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino’s father in her Lifetime biopic, Life Is Not A Fairytale. In his personal life, Hardison was once married to singer Chante Moore, with whom he has a daughter.
Sinbad: Coach Walter Oakes
Sinbad continued doing stand-up after leaving A Different World and fronted his own short-lived television series entitled The Sinbad Show. He also starred in Necessary Roughness, which was a box office hit and hosted the longtime syndicated television talent competition Showtime at the Apollo.
Mary Alice: Leticia “Lettie” Bostic
In 1987, Mary Alice took home a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her work in the August Wilson play Fences. She later won an Emmy Award for her supporting actress role in the hit television show I’ll Fly Away. In 2003, she played the Oracle in The Matrix movies after the death of Gloria Foster, who originated the role.
Jada Pinkett Smith: Lena James
Since her start on A Different World, Jada Pinkett Smith has become the biggest star to come out of the series. She appeared in movies like Jason’s Lyric, Demon Night, Lowdown Dirty Shame, Set It Off, The Nutty Professor, Ali, Collateral and two ofThe Matrix films, among others. The Baltimore, Maryland native is also married to box-office superstar Will Smith, with whom she has two children.