Lisa Bonet
Updated: 12/10/2025, 5:43:34 PM Wikipedia source
Lisa Michelle Bonet (; November 16, 1967) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Denise Huxtable on the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992), for which she earned widespread acclaim and a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1986; she reprised the role of Denise in the first season of the spinoff series A Different World. She also appeared in the psychological horror film Angel Heart (1987), which earned her a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress. Bonet has starred in the action thriller film Enemy of the State (1998), the comedy-drama film High Fidelity (2000), the action drama film Biker Boyz (2003) and the thriller film Road to Paloma (2013). She has sporadically worked in TV acting, appearing in roles such as Maya Daniels in Life on Mars (2008–2009) and Marisol on Ray Donovan (2016).
Infobox
Born
Lisa Michelle Bonet (1967-11-16) November 16, 1967 (age 58)California, U.S.
Occupation
Actress
Years active
1983–present
Known for
Denise Huxtable in The Cosby Show
Spouses
mw- Lenny Kravitz (m. 1987; div. 1993) Jason Momoa (m. 2017; div. 2024)
Children
3, including Zoë Kravitz
Relatives
Kadhja Bonet (half-sister)
Tables
Lisa Bonet film credits · Filmography › Film
1987
1987
Years
1987
Title
Angel Heart
Role
Epiphany Proudfoot
1993
1993
Years
1993
Title
Bank Robber
Role
Priscilla
1994
1994
Years
1994
Title
Final Combination
Role
Catherine Briggs
1998
1998
Years
1998
Title
Enemy of the State
Role
Rachel Banks
2000
2000
Years
2000
Title
High Fidelity
Role
Marie De Salle
2003
2003
Years
2003
Title
Biker Boyz
Role
"Queenie"
2005
2005
Years
2005
Title
Whitepaddy
Role
Mae Evans
2013
2013
Years
2013
Title
Road to Paloma
Role
Magdalena
| Years | Title | Role |
| 1987 | Angel Heart | Epiphany Proudfoot |
| 1993 | Bank Robber | Priscilla |
| 1994 | Final Combination | Catherine Briggs |
| 1998 | Enemy of the State | Rachel Banks |
| 2000 | High Fidelity | Marie De Salle |
| 2003 | Biker Boyz | "Queenie" |
| 2005 | Whitepaddy | Mae Evans |
| 2013 | Road to Paloma | Magdalena |
Lisa Bonet television credits · Filmography › Television
1983
1984–1991
Role(s)
The Cosby Show
Notes
Denise Huxtable
1985
1986
1987–1989
Role(s)
A Different World
Notes
Denise Huxtable
1992
Why Bother Voting?
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Elections special with Bonet as host
1994
New Eden
Role(s)
Lily
Notes
Television movie
2002
2008–2009
Role(s)
Life on Mars
Notes
Maya Daniels
2013–2014
Role(s)
Drunk History
Notes
Mary Ellen Pleasant / Rosa Parks
2014–2015
Role(s)
The Red Road
Notes
Sky Van Der Veen
2016
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1983 | St. Elsewhere | Carla | Episode: "Entrapment" |
| 1984–1991 | The Cosby Show | Denise Huxtable | Main cast |
| 1985 | Tales from the Darkside | Justine | Episode: "The Satanic Piano" |
| ABC Afterschool Special | Carrie | 1 episode | |
| 1986 | Sesame Street | Herself | Recurring Guest |
| 1987–1989 | A Different World | Denise Huxtable | Main cast (Season 1); Guest (Season 3) |
| 1990 | The Earth Day Special | Denise Huxtable | |
| 1992 | Why Bother Voting? | Herself | Elections special with Bonet as host |
| 1994 | New Eden | Lily | Television movie |
| 2002 | Lathe of Heaven | Heather Lelache | Television movie |
| 2008–2009 | Life on Mars | Maya Daniels | 5 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Drunk History | Mary Ellen Pleasant / Rosa Parks | 2 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | The Red Road | Sky Van Der Veen | 7 episodes |
| 2014 | New Girl | Brenda Brown | Episode: "Teachers" |
| 2016 | Girls | Tandice Moncrief | Episodes: "Homeward Bound", "Love Stories" |
| Ray Donovan | Marisol | Recurring – Season 4 |
Lisa Bonet music video credits · Filmography › Music videos
1990
1990
Year
1990
Song
"It Never Rains (In Southern California)"
Artist
Tony! Toni! Toné!
Role
Director
1991
1991
Year
1991
Song
"Stand by My Woman"
Artist
Lenny Kravitz
Role
Director
1999
1999
Year
1999
Song
"Revelation Sunshine"
Artist
Cree Summer
Role
Director
2019
2019
Year
2019
Song
"Freedom (TROY NōKA Remix)"
Artist
Dorothy, Angel Haze
Role
Director
| Year | Song | Artist | Role |
| 1990 | "It Never Rains (In Southern California)" | Tony! Toni! Toné! | Director |
| 1991 | "Stand by My Woman" | Lenny Kravitz | Director |
| 1999 | "Revelation Sunshine" | Cree Summer | Director |
| 2019 | "Freedom (TROY NōKA Remix)" | Dorothy, Angel Haze | Director |
Awards and nominations received by Lisa Bonet · Awards and nominations
1985
Role(s)
Best Young Supporting Actress in a Television Comedy Series
Notes
The Cosby Show
1986
Young Artist Awards
Role(s)
Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series
Notes
The Cosby Show
Role(s)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Notes
The Cosby Show
1988
Young Artist Awards
Role(s)
Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series
Notes
The Cosby Show
Best Young Female Superstar in Motion Picture
Role(s)
Angel Heart
Notes
Won
1989
Young Artist Awards
Role(s)
Best Young Actor/Actress Ensemble in a Television Comedy, Drama Series or Special
Notes
The Cosby Show (shared with cast)
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 1985 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Supporting Actress in a Television Comedy Series | The Cosby Show | Nominated |
| 1986 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series | The Cosby Show | Nominated |
| 1988 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series | The Cosby Show | Nominated |
| Best Young Female Superstar in Motion Picture | Angel Heart | Won | ||
| 1988 | Saturn Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Angel Heart | Nominated |
| 1986 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | The Cosby Show | Nominated |
| 1989 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actor/Actress Ensemble in a Television Comedy, Drama Series or Special | The Cosby Show (shared with cast) | Nominated |
| 2001 | Black Reel Awards | Theatrical – Best Supporting Actress | High Fidelity | Nominated |
| 2006 | TV Land Award | Favorite Singing Siblings | The Cosby Show (shared with cast) | Nominated |
References
- Jethttps://books.google.com/books?id=Yq4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6
- Houston Chroniclehttp://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1987_482541/bonet-s-in-a-different-world.html
- African American Registryhttps://aaregistry.org/story/lisa-bonet-talent-and-mystery/
- Us Weeklyhttps://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/lisa-bonet/
- Porter Edit / NET-A-PORTER.COMhttps://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/porter/article-33a55e73f6c7ac7b/cover-stories/cover-stories/lisa-bonet
- HuffPost Canadahttps://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/05/16/zoe-kravitz-mixed-background_n_16641120.html
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/aug/20/zoe-kravitz-why-do-stories-happen-to-white-people-and-everyone-else-is-a-punchline
- Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Televisionhttps://books.google.com/books?id=X7ZYsnTPIhwC&pg=PA49
- Hollywood.comhttp://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/lisa-bonet-57301725/
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-02-26-ca-5858-story.html
- "Lisa Bonet Biography"https://web.archive.org/web/20090113183130/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018126/bio
- Biography in Contexthttp://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Biographies&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=MultiTab&searchType=PersonSearchForm¤tPosition=2&docId=GALE%7CK1618001484&docType=Biography&sort=Relevance&contentSegment=ZXAM-MOD1&prodId=BIC&contentSet=GALE%7CK1618001484&searchId=R2&userGroupName=unlv_main&inPS=true
- alanparker.comhttp://alanparker.com/film/angel-heart/making/
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/21/movies/appeals-board-upholds-angel-heart-x-rating.html
- Ebonyhttps://books.google.com/books?id=uswDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA150
- New York Daily Newshttps://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/10-oddest-emmy-nominations-time-article-1.1913644
- A Different Worldhttps://web.archive.org/web/20060210085528/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/differentwor/differentwor.htm
- Debbie Allen discusses why Lisa Bonet left "A Different World" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORGhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yPzsKSzcaQ
- Peoplehttps://people.com/archive/leaving-the-nest-vol-37-no-17/
- Baltimore Sunhttps://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/09/23/vote-power-to-young-people/
- "Lisa Bonet"https://web.archive.org/web/20190107091939/http://www.somethingjewish.co.uk/articles/387_lisa_bonet.htm%20
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/article/2008/08/01/lisa-bonet-join/
- Chicago Tribunehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/zap-lisabonetpregnant-story.html
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2014/scene/news/jason-momoa-lisa-bonet-celebrate-sundancetvs-red-road-1201120412/
- IndieWirehttps://www.indiewire.com/features/general/ray-donovan-lisa-bonet-marisol-1201721002/
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/tv/girls-guest-stars/
- Essencehttps://www.proquest.com/docview/223114238
- InterfaithFamilyhttps://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/interfaith_celebrities_new_projects_by_bonet_okonedo_lumet_and_paltrow/
- "Zoe Kravitz. Alternate Name: Zoe Isabella Kravitz" at All Movie Guide via The New York Timeshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110709222751/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/1465139/Zoe-Kravitz/biography
- Timehttps://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2093588_2093587_2093595,00.html
- Orlando Sentinelhttps://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1993-12-16-9312160531-story.html
- Vanity Fairhttps://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/05/a-different-world-cast-members-and-crew-oral-history
- Us Weeklyhttps://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/jason-momoa-lisa-bonet-officially-marry-in-secret-wedding/
- Peoplehttps://people.com/parents/update-a-daught/
- Peoplehttps://people.com/parents/lisa-bonet-and-jason-momoa-welcome-son-nakoa-wolf/
- CNNhttps://www.cnn.com/2022/01/12/entertainment/jason-momoa-lisa-bonet-split/index.html
- Peoplehttps://people.com/lisa-bonet-files-divorce-jason-momoa-two-years-after-announcing-breakup-8423742
- USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/01/08/lisa-bonet-jason-momoa-divorce-aquaman/72154597007/
- Peoplehttps://people.com/jason-momoa-lisa-bonet-divorce-granted-8424487
- Page Sixhttps://pagesix.com/2024/07/09/entertainment/jason-momoa-lisa-bonet-finalize-divorce/