Question
Season 1 promo shot of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"

Who first played Aunt Viv on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"?

Last updated: September 10, 2025

Will Smith's "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" turned a Philadelphia street kid navigating Beverly Hills into one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 1990s. The Banks family household was anchored by the elegant but fierce Aunt Viv, who could deliver cutting one-liners while maintaining her upper-class dignity. But when the show returned for season four, there was something a little different about the family matriarch. Which actress originated the role of Aunt Viv on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"?

Correct Answer: Janet Hubert

(Source)

Janet Hubert brought Vivian Banks to life for the show's first three seasons, delivering the perfect mix of sophistication and sass that made Aunt Viv unforgettable. Hubert was a Broadway veteran and originated the role of Tantomile in the original "Cats" musical. When season four rolled around, the network offered her a contract that reduced her role, her pay, and prohibited her from taking other jobs. Hubert passed on the deal, hoping to negotiate better terms. Instead, she was replaced with Daphne Maxwell Reid. This sparked a decades-long feud between Hubert and Will Smith, with both sides throwing public jabs at each other for years. Smith finally apologized during the 2020 HBO Max reunion special, and the two seem to have finally put the feud to rest.

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