Daphne Maxwell Reid
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Biography
Poised, pretty, and personable TV lead and host who often worked with her husband actor-producer Tim Reid, most notably in the acclaimed but regrettably short-lived sitcom "Frank's Place" (CBS, 1987-88), an irreverent but classy look at some of the intricacies of the African-American experience. Elected Northwestern University's first Black Homecoming Queen, Reid entered showbiz as a model with the Eileen Ford modeling agency, appearing in numerous magazines and landing a Glamour cover. This exposure led to TV commercials and acting lessons under the tutelage of actor-teacher Robert Hooks, the co-founder of the Negro Ensemble Company. Reid made her acting debut in an off-Broadway production of "The Skin of Our Teeth" while attending the workshop. TV guest spots followed a few years later on the likes of "Cagney and Lacey," "Hill Street Blues," and "WKRP in Cincinnati."
Reid played a recurring character, often opposite her husband, on the detective series "Simon and Simon." The Reids also split hosting and presenting chores on various parades and awards shows and played a crime-solving couple on the short-lived "Snoops" (CBS, 1989-90). Reid joined the cast of the NBC sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" in the 1993-94 season replacing the departing Janet Hubert-Whitten as Will Smith's Aunt Vivian Banks. An accomplished seamstress and fashion designer, she created a series of instructional videos including "Suddenly You're Sewing--with Daphne Maxwell Reid" and sewing patterns under the Daphne Maxwell Reid Collection for The McCall Pattern Company.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1979
Moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career
1979
TV debut, appeared in the pilot of "The Duke", a short-lived detective series starring Robert Conrad
1979
Did a guest shot on another Robert Conrad vehicle, "A Man Called Sloane"
1980
Renewed her acquaintance with actor Tim Reid whom she had known casually in Chicago; they subsequently married
1987
TV-movie debut, "The Long Journey Home"
1987
With husband Reid, served as NYC hosts of the "CBS All-American Thanksgiving Day Parade"
1987
Co-hosted with husband Reid, "CBS Summer Playhouse", a showcase for unsold pilots
Family
Companions
