When you hear the name Phylicia Rashad, you probably think of the amazing actress who played Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show. But did you know she has a son who chooses to stay away from cameras and red carpets? His name is William Lancelot Bowles III, and his story shows us that not everyone born into a famous family wants to be in the spotlight.
Personal Info
| Full Name | William Lancelot Bowles III |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1973 |
| Age | 51 years (as of 2025) |
| Parents | Phylicia Rashad (mother), William Lancelot Bowles Jr. (father) |
| Siblings | Condola Rashad (half-sister) |
| Known For | Being the son of actress Phylicia Rashad |
| Career | Production coordinator (reportedly) |
| Nationality | American |
Early Life and Family Background
William Lancelot Bowles III came into the world in 1973, when his mother was just 24 years old. His parents, Phylicia Rashad and William Lancelot Bowles Jr., had married a year earlier in 1972. His father worked as a dentist and lived a quiet, private life outside the entertainment world.
Growing up, William had a unique childhood. His parents separated when he was only two years old, divorcing in 1975. After the split, his mother continued her acting career while making sure she spent quality time with her young son. Phylicia has shared in interviews that she always tried to be there for William, even doing simple things like cooking breakfast for him every morning.
A Family Full of Talent
William’s family tree is filled with creative and successful people. His grandmother, Vivian Ayers, was a talented poet who received a Pulitzer Prize nomination in 1952 for her poem “Hawk.” His aunt, Debbie Allen, is a well-known actress, director, and producer who works on the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy.
When William was 12 years old, something special happened in his family. His mother married former NFL football player Ahmad Rashad in December 1985. The proposal itself was quite memorable – Ahmad asked Phylicia to marry him during a live television broadcast of a Thanksgiving Day football game! Young William attended the wedding with his grandmother, though his mother later shared that he actually wanted to be the one to walk her down the aisle.
Growing Up with a Famous Mother
Being the child of a famous actress came with its challenges and unique experiences. While Phylicia was working on The Cosby Show, one of the most popular television programs of the 1980s, she made sure her son felt loved and important. She would bring him to rehearsals and involved him in her creative world when she could.
Despite her busy filming schedule, Phylicia believed strongly in spending time with her children. She once said in an interview, “You have to spend time with your children. You have to be there. I try to cook for him every day.” These daily breakfasts together became special moments between mother and son.
Life with a New Sibling
When William was 13 years old, he became a big brother. His half-sister, Condola Rashad, was born in December 1986 in New York City. Unlike William, Condola would grow up to follow in their mother’s footsteps, becoming an actress herself.
Condola has earned several Tony Award nominations for her work on Broadway and has spoken publicly about how their mother inspired her career. She once said about their grandmother, “My grandmother is the root to this whole tree. We are all extensions of different parts of her.”
Choosing His Own Path
At age 16, William made an important decision. He moved to New York to live with his father. This move gave him a different perspective on life and allowed him to build a stronger relationship with William Lancelot Bowles Jr., who had always maintained a private life away from the entertainment industry.
Unlike his mother and sister, William decided not to become an actor or performer. According to a report from 2001, he worked as a production coordinator and chose to live in Los Angeles. While this career still connected him to the entertainment world in some way, it kept him behind the scenes rather than in front of cameras.
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A Life of Privacy
What makes William’s story interesting is his strong commitment to privacy. In today’s world, where many children of celebrities share everything on social media and seek attention, William has taken a completely different approach. He does not appear on his family members’ social media accounts, and he rarely speaks to the press or makes public appearances.
His family respects and supports this choice. Phylicia Rashad has not discussed her son much in public interviews over the years, though sources say they remain close. This privacy is quite rare, especially for someone with such strong connections to Hollywood.
The Value of Staying Out of the Spotlight
William’s decision to live privately teaches us something important. Just because you are born into a famous family does not mean you must become famous yourself. You can choose your own path, follow your own dreams, and decide how much of your life you want to share with the world.
In an age where personal information is everywhere and privacy seems hard to find, William shows that it is still possible to maintain boundaries. He demonstrates that you can be connected to celebrity status while still living a normal, private life.
His Mother’s Continued Success
While William has stayed out of the public eye, his mother’s career has continued to shine. Phylicia Rashad has won numerous awards, including two Tony Awards. She became the first African-American actress to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in A Raisin in the Sun in 2004.
She has appeared in many films, including the Creed movie series, where she plays the mother of Michael B. Jordan’s character. She has also worked as a director and served as the dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts, showing her commitment to helping the next generation of artists.
Where Is He Now?
As of today, very little is known about William’s current life. He reportedly still lives in Los Angeles and continues to work in the entertainment industry in some capacity, though exact details about his current career are not available. What we do know is that he has successfully maintained the private life he desired.
Some reports suggest he may have worked in computer graphics at some point, a field that combines creativity with technology. However, these details have not been confirmed, which is exactly how William seems to prefer things.
The Importance of Respecting Privacy
William Lancelot Bowles III’s story reminds us that privacy is a personal choice that deserves respect. While fans may be curious about the lives of their favorite celebrities and their families, not everyone wants to share their personal story with the world.
In William’s case, he has found a way to honor his family’s legacy while still being his own person. He carries the name of his father and grandfather, he is the son of one of television’s most beloved actresses, and he is the brother of a talented Broadway performer. Yet, he has carved out his own identity separate from all of that fame.
A Different Kind of Success
Success does not always mean being famous or having your name in headlines. Sometimes success means living life on your own terms, making choices that feel right for you, and maintaining the relationships that matter most. William appears to have achieved this kind of success.
His mother has shown that fame and family can go together if you make the effort. She balanced a demanding career with being a present mother, and her children have both grown into adults who make their own choices. William’s choice to stay private and Condola’s choice to pursue acting both reflect the freedom their mother gave them to be themselves.
Final Thoughts
William Lancelot Bowles III may not be a household name like his mother, Phylicia Rashad, but his story is still worth knowing. He represents a growing number of celebrity children who choose privacy over fame, normal life over spotlight, and personal happiness over public attention.
His life shows us that being related to famous people does not define who you are or who you must become. You can respect and love your family while still choosing a completely different path for yourself. In a world that often celebrates fame above everything else, William’s quiet life is a refreshing reminder that there are many ways to live a meaningful and successful life.
Whether he is working behind the scenes in Hollywood or pursuing other interests, William Lancelot Bowles III has made it clear that his private life is valuable to him. And in respecting that choice, we can appreciate the lesson he teaches us all: true success is living life according to your own values, not someone else’s expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who are William Lancelot Bowles III’s parents?
William’s parents are Phylicia Rashad, the famous actress known for The Cosby Show, and William Lancelot Bowles Jr., who worked as a dentist. They were married from 1972 to 1975.
2. Does William Lancelot Bowles III work in entertainment like his mother?
While William reportedly works as a production coordinator in the entertainment industry, he stays behind the scenes rather than performing. He has chosen a private career path away from acting.
3. Does William have any siblings?
Yes, William has a half-sister named Condola Rashad, who was born in 1986. Condola is an actress who has earned several Tony Award nominations for her Broadway performances.
4. Why is William Lancelot Bowles III so private?
William has made a personal choice to stay out of the public spotlight. He values his privacy and prefers not to share his personal life on social media or in public interviews, which his family respects.
5. How old is William Lancelot Bowles III?
William was born in 1973, which makes him 51 years old as of 2025. The exact date and month of his birth have not been shared publicly.
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