Vernee Watson (Viola ‘Vy’ Smith)
Now to Will’s TV mom, Viola aka Vy. Vy sent Will to her rich sister, Vivian, when he got into some trouble. Then, as we mentioned, she married Lisa’s father, Fred. Before the show, Vernee had already made a name for herself in Hollywood. After the show, she continued acting on TV. You can see her on The Big Bang Theory as the nurse, Althea. She also played Stella in General Hospital.
Vernee Watson (Viola ‘Vy’ Smith)
Daphne Reid (Vivian Banks)
So when Janet Hubert was let go, Daphne Reid was chosen as the new Vivian Banks. With Reid playing Vivian, the character changed in that fourth season until the end. Aunt Viv had less of an attitude. Anyway, this star was already popular in Hollywood from her roles in Simon & Simon and Frank’s Place. After the show, she had smaller roles. Though as recently as 2016, she starred in the movie By the Grace of Bob. How could we not mention, she married Tim Reid, Tamera’s father in Sister, Sister, back in 1962 after meeting him when they both starred in Simon & Simon.
Daphne Reid (Vivian Banks)
