Daphne Maxwell Reid

Daphne Maxwell Reid thrives as a creative entrepreneur and artist, continuing to dazzle anyone who knows her with her bold spirit, grace, and work ethic. The first African American woman to make the cover of Glamour magazine and one of television history’s most beloved sitcom moms, Reid now balances her acting gigs with her work as a photographic artist, clothing designer, and education activist, demonstrating that it’s never too late to pursue new passions and find new opportunities.

When she attended Northwestern University a half-century ago, Daphne Maxwell became the prestigious school’s first African-American homecoming queen; but that was just the first of many barriers that Maxwell broke in her career, arriving into the industry at just the right moment as a new perspective on race was emerging in the wake of the civil rights movement. “Being among the first of a few black women to work in popular television reminds me that one doesn’t choose to be a pioneer,” she says today.

Reid’s creative journey began as a child in Manhattan. Her father had studied photography, and passed on his love of the medium to young Reid, who had her first Brownie camera before the age of ten. Her father’s passion for the photographic image is something that she would carry with her throughout her life. But first, she worked as a model, parlaying her success in that field into an acting career that found her on dozens of television series in the 1980s. With guest starring roles in shows like “WKRP in Cincinnati” (where she first worked on television with her husband, Tim Reid, to whom she has been married since 1982), “Hill Street Blues,” and “Simon and Simon,” she first took a lead role on the acclaimed series “Frank’s Place,” opposite Tim. But it was in the role of Vivian Banks in the last three seasons of “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” with Will Smith that endeared Reid to a new generation of fans.

Now residing with her husband in Virginia, Reid has turned in recent years to her lifelong passion for fashion and photography. As a young actress and model, Reid often made her own outfits and wardrobe. At a certain point, friends would say that they wished they could wear Reid’s outfits, so she started making pieces for her friends. Of particular pride are her designs for Chinese-inspired jackets that are bold, colorful, and versatile, and easily adaptable to different body sizes and types. Her line (Daphne Style) wowed audiences at New York’s fashion week in 2017, and is featured on her website daphnemaxwellreid.com.

Perhaps even more notable is Reid’s photographic work (featured in the “Fresh Prints” portion of her website); in particular, Reid’s specialty is taking pictures of interesting doors all around the world. In the form of postcards, printed collections, and gallery exhibitions, Reid’s vibrant, compelling prints catalog some of her journeys through Europe, Africa, and Cuba. Ultimately, Reid’s life is a testament to the power of learning – whether it was learning passion from her father, or attending university, or teaching herself new careers. She extends that experience to others by working with Virginia State University, one of the nation’s leading HBCUs (historically black college/universities). A member of the board of VSU for eight years, Reid has hosted informational videos documenting campus life and faculty achievements, and made public appearances on behalf of the institution.

Throughout her many activities and endeavors, Reid continues to be supported by her husband, himself a television pioneer as an actor, writer, director, and producer. That partnership and her lifelong passion for hard work and achievement is summed up by what Reid hopes her work conveys to her audience.