26 Facts About Denise Huxtable

Denise Huxtable Kendall is a fictional character on the American sitcom The Cosby Show, portrayed by actress Lisa Bonet.

The second-born child of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, Denise is a free spirit known for her eccentric clothing.

Denise Huxtable became The Cosby Show breakout character, and resonated with young adult fans.

Denise Huxtable did not fare as well on A Different World; critics found Bonet uninteresting and often blamed her performance for the show's unimpressive early reviews.

The second eldest of their five children, Denise Huxtable is a younger sister of Sondra and an elder sister to Theo, Vanessa and Rudy.

When Martin receives a posting to a naval base in Singapore, he and Denise move there and leave Olivia in the Huxtables' care.

However, Cosby wanted the show to feature a character who was an example of parents Cliff and Clair having already successfully raised a college-educated child, hence the writers introduced eldest sibling Sondra, a Princeton University graduate, in the second episode, while Denise was relegated to the role of the Huxtable's second eldest child instead.

Early storylines included Denise Huxtable fighting with younger sister Vanessa over the latter borrowing her sweater without permission, getting her braces removed, announcing her decision to attend college away from home, promising younger brother Theo that she is capable of sewing him a replica of an expensive designer shirt he had purchased, and tricking her parents into believing she had spent a night at a male friend's house to prove a point about their parenting style.

Several episodes revolving around Denise Huxtable explore her boyfriends and dating life.

Denise Huxtable is portrayed by American actress Lisa Bonet, whose acting experience prior to The Cosby Show had been limited to television commercials and a guest appearance on the medical drama St Elsewhere.

Cosby in particular was strongly opposed to the idea of a seemingly wholesome Denise Huxtable child experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and becoming an unwed mother.

Denise Huxtable was demoted from main to recurring character for the remainder of the season.

Denise Huxtable's character is mentioned and used sparingly throughout the episode.

Unseen, Denise Huxtable calls her family on the telephone from Singapore to announce that she is pregnant with her and Martin's first child, and everyone receives an opportunity to congratulate her except Cliff.

Denise Huxtable is credited as a main cast member from seasons one to three and six to seven, and a recurring cast member during seasons four and five.

Denise Huxtable maintains that her memories of her experience on the show have not been influenced by the allegations, insisting, "No, it's exactly as I remember it".

Denise Huxtable typically wears oversized smocks, harem pants, jumpsuits, large blazers and head wraps with vibrant patterns, as well as denim and vintage tops.

However, Racked's Nadra Nittle argued that Denise Huxtable remains rather "straight-laced" despite her artsy, unconventional wardrobe consisting of high-waisted trousers and tropical shirts.

Denise Huxtable was quickly established as an audience favorite during the show's earliest seasons, which Mental Floss writer Kara Kovalchik attributed to her "typical teenage carefree attitude and her cutting-edge fashion sense".

Denise Huxtable ultimately became the show's most popular character, with her unique fashion sense becoming a trademark of the series.

Hillary Crosley Coker of Jezebel described Bonet as "the coolest of The Cosby Show cast", while Refinery29 Kara Kia believes Bonet and Denise Huxtable were equally "admired for [their] rebellious, elusive approach to celebrity".

Some media headlines, such as USA Today "X has Cosby kid's film on spot", gave readers the impression that "all 77 million weekly watchers are outraged by the behavior of their little Denise Huxtable", according to Trustman Senger of The Washington Post.

Denise Huxtable was not very interesting, and we were asked to make her into Mary Tyler Moore or Tinkerbell, always bringing everyone together.

Denise Huxtable remains the acting role for which Bonet is best-known.

Entertainment Weekly said Denise Huxtable had third most iconic television hairstyle, and Marie Claire included Denise Huxtable at number six on their "15 Female TV Characters That Have Incredible Hair" ranking.

In 2012, clothing company Urban Outfitters created a clothing line inspired by Denise Huxtable entitled "A Different World", describing it as "a nod to the coolest older sister ever".