(L) Former “fresh Prince of bel-Air” actress, Karyn Parsons; (R) Karyn’s husband,
We all remember “Hillary Banks” right? She was the spoiled rich kid on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air who cared more about her toenail polish color than her actually mental capacity. Thankfully actress, Karyn Parsons, is absolutely nothing like her ’90s character, Hillary, a fact that we’re pretty sure her husband, Alexandre Rockwell, and their two kids appreciate as well.
Speaking of their kids, they are doing some impressive things in the entertainment world. But first let us feel you in on their parents…
After Fresh Prince, Karyn pretty much shunned the spotlight and fame. It was like trying spot a needle in a haystack if you’d planned on spotting her on anyone’s red carpet. She began focusing on her family after marrying Rockwell in 2003 and giving birth to daughter, Lana, and son, Nico. She also launched her Sweet Blackberry Foundation, which her website states that their “mission at Sweet Blackberry is to bring little known stories of African American achievement to children everywhere.”
Her full-time job is being a mother to her kids though. Her husband, Alexandre Rockwell, is a film director and combined with Karyn’s acting expertise, it’s only natural that their babies are now aspiring to follow in their footsteps.
Above is a throwback photo of Lana, with actor Geoffrey Holder’s (of Boomerang and Annie films) widow, when she was 14 years old (see her new pics below). Lana’s now an 18-year-old actress, who –along with her brother, Nico– starred in the 2013 film their Dad directed and also co-starred in, titled Little Feet. Additionally, Lana’s starred in films, Pete Small Is Dead in 2010; and in That is Circling All Round the Sun in 2016.
Back then, Karyn’s and Alexandre’s now-14-year-old son, Nico, was able to hold his own weight next to his big sister in Little Feet as well. These days, he’s grown since then, as you can see in Karyn’s post below…
By February 2020, Lana, her Dad, and her cast-mates were earning a Berlin Festival Award for their work in the film, “Sweet Thing.”
Director, Alexandre Rockwell, with Lana, the daughter he shares with his wife, actress Karyn Parsons
Karyn shared several photos of their happiness at that time, along with the caption, “What an amazing night! Thank you @berlinale_generation !!! The @sweetthing.film screening was all we could’ve hoped for! A fantastic audience for a beautiful film! So proud of you, hubby #AlexandreRockwell! Completely floored by the talent of my babies @kidnamednico and @lanalanabobana, of @jabariwatkins9, @unofficialmljosepher / @ml_josepher, and of course, the always wonderful,#willpatton!#independentspirit #berlin🇩🇪.”
Karyn Parsons (far left) with husband, Alexandre Rockwell (in suit and tie), their daughter, Lana, and cast/crew members of “Sweet Thing” at Berlin Film Festival
Karyn Parsons still apparently prefers a more ‘normal’ lifestyle outside of the Hollywood scene that can sometimes be just as superficial and shallow as her character, “Hillary Banks.” However, Karyn has stepped out a few times in recent years, and her fans were happy to see her. In fact, in November 2021 she –along with former “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” cast-mate, Janet Hubert — celebrated with their ex-co-star, Will Smith, for his “Will The Book” memoir launch…
Janet Hubert, Will Smith, Karyn Parsons
K. Parsons: What a night! Celebrating @willsmith and the launch of #willthebook ! Moderated by @officialspikelee , Will made me cry w/some of the intimate and revealing shares from the book😭. But then he rapped! … and @djjazzyjeff showed!
So much fun w/my girl, @glowmaven ! Got to play with my tv mom, #JanetHubert!… fun all around! Thx, Will! 😘
Lastly, can y’all believe that Karyn Parsons is now 55 years old? Looking good Karyn, keep up the great work ma!’
