Keshia Knight Pulliam: A Star's Journey From "The Cosby Show" To Today

How Much Is Keshia Knight Pulliam Worth in 2023?

Let’s talk about Keshia Knight Pulliam, the iconic actress who stole our hearts as Rudy Huxtable on "The Cosby Show." Fast forward to today, and Keshia has built an impressive career with a net worth of around $2 million. Her journey began when she was just a little kid, and she's been lighting up screens ever since. Keshia’s role as Rudy made her a household name, and she continued to shine in shows like "Tyler Perry's House of Payne." In fact, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy at the tender age of 6—making her the youngest actor ever to receive that honor. Plus, she ranked #27 on VH1's 2014 list of "100 Greatest Kid Stars." Talk about leaving a mark!

Where It All Began: Keshia's Early Life

Keshia Knight Pulliam was born on April 9, 1979, in Newark, New Jersey, to her parents Denise and James Sr., who managed to keep things running smoothly even with three boys—James, Mshon, and Juwan—in the mix. Believe it or not, her acting career began when she was just a baby. At only 5 months old, her parents brought her to a local talent agency, and by the time she was 9 months, she scored a national print ad for Johnson & Johnson. That’s some quick thinking! Keshia attended Rutgers Preparatory School and later moved to Virginia after "The Cosby Show" wrapped up. She completed her high school education at the Potomac School and Foxcroft School, graduating in 1997. Keshia then went on to earn a B.A. in sociology from Spelman College in 2001, where she was part of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Talk about balance—school and stardom!

A Career That Sparkles: Keshia's Acting Journey

After her Johnson & Johnson ad, Keshia quickly became a go-to face for commercials. But her big break came when she was just 3 years old, starring on "Sesame Street." Then, in 1984, she landed the life-changing role of Rudy Huxtable on the NBC sitcom "The Cosby Show." Over 177 episodes, Keshia captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. She also reprised her role as Rudy in spin-offs like "Back to Next Saturday" and "A Different World." Her big screen debut happened in 1985 with "The Last Dragon," and she kept the momentum going with roles in TV movies like "The Little Match Girl" and "Polly." Keshia’s versatility didn’t stop there; she took on reality TV challenges, winning "The Weakest Link" in 2001 and "Fear Factor" in 2002. Her role in "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" was a standout, earning her multiple NAACP Image Awards. And let’s not forget her appearances in films like "Cuttin Da Mustard" and "Madea Goes to Jail." Keshia has truly done it all!

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Behind the Scenes: Keshia's Salary on "House of Payne"

When it comes to the money side of things, Keshia’s "House of Payne" salary tells an interesting story. In 2012, her former talent agency, Greene & Associates, filed a lawsuit claiming they were owed commissions. According to the lawsuit, Keshia initially earned $7,500 per episode in the early seasons. However, by the later seasons, her salary skyrocketed to $20,000 per episode. With 22 episodes per season, that’s about $440,000 pre-tax per year. The lawsuit alleged that Greene & Associates were owed $100,000 in unpaid commissions, implying she earned around $1 million before the lawsuit. It’s a reminder of the complexities in managing finances in the entertainment world.

Life Beyond the Screen: Keshia's Personal Life

Keshia’s personal life has had its share of ups and downs. In 2015, she married retired NFL player Edgerton Hartwell on New Year's Eve after a whirlwind engagement. But life took a turn when Keshia announced her pregnancy just days before Hartwell filed for divorce in July 2016. Their daughter, Ella, was born on January 23, 2017. The divorce was finalized in April 2018, with Keshia being awarded primary custody and Hartwell ordered to pay $3,000 per month in child support. However, the child support saga continued, with Keshia claiming in April 2020 that Hartwell owed her nearly $32,000 in back payments. Despite the challenges, Keshia found love again in 2019 with her co-star from "Pride & Prejudice: Atlanta," Brad James.

Keshia's Real Estate Ventures

In 2006, Keshia purchased a home in Fayetteville, Georgia, for $508,000. She eventually sold the property in March 2016 for $500,000. It’s a reminder that even stars navigate the ups and downs of the real estate market like the rest of us.

Achievements and Honors: Keshia's Awards

Keshia’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 1986, she earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on "The Cosby Show." Her role on "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" brought her multiple NAACP Image Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2009, 2010, and 2012, along with a nomination in 2011. She also won the award for "The Cosby Show" in 1988 and was nominated in 2003 for "What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway." In 1991, Keshia won a Kids' Choice Award for Favorite TV Actress for "The Cosby Show," and she earned a People's Choice Award for Favorite Young TV Performer in 1988. Her impressive resume includes four Young Artist Award nominations and a shared award for Best Young Actor/Actress Ensemble in a Television Comedy, Drama Series, or Special with her "The Cosby Show" castmates in 1989. Truly, Keshia has left an indelible mark on the entertainment world.