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

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.