Karyn Parsons
Biography
Karyn Parsons is an actress born on October 8, 1966, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. Also known as Karyn Rockwell, she decided to go into acting at the age of 13. She had her first television role in the 1987 NBC drama The Bronx Zoo and achieved her big break playing Will Smith's cousin Hilary Banks on the 1990 NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. During that show's six-year run, she appeared in films such as Class Act in 1992 and Major Payne in 1995. Following The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, she starred in the short-lived 1996 sitcom Lush Life alongside Lori Petty. In 1998, she secured her first lead role in the movie Mixing Nia and later starred in 13 Moons in 2002.
Career overview
Karyn Parsons was born on October 8, 1966, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, and decided to pursue acting at the age of 13. She secured her first television role in the NBC drama The Bronx Zoo in 1987. Her major career breakthrough came when she was cast as Hilary Banks, the cousin of Will Smith, on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which ran for six years starting in 1990. During the run of the series, she appeared in the feature films Class Act in 1992 and Major Payne in 1995.
Following her time on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Parsons starred alongside Lori Petty in the short-lived sitcom Lush Life in 1996, which was canceled after airing only three episodes. In 1998, she took on her first lead role in the award-winning movie Mixing Nia. She subsequently made guest appearances in television sitcoms and starred in the film 13 Moons in 2002.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
24 titles- The Projectionist (2026) as Rosa
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion (2020) as Self
- Sweet Thing (2020) as Eve
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- On Monday of Last Week (2018) as Tracy
- Nobody Wants Your Film (2005) as Self
- 13 Moons (2002) as Lily
- The Job (2001) as Toni
- Static Shock (2000) as Tracy Flackman (voice)
- The Ladies Man (2000) as Julie Simmons
- Cartoon Sushi (1998)
- Mixing Nia (1998) as Nia
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self
- Gulliver's Travels (1996) as Lady-in-Waiting
- Lush Life (1996) as Margot Hines
- Major Payne (1995) as Emily Walburn
- The John Larroquette Show (1993) as Annie
- Melrose Place (1992) as Jackie Zambrano
- Out All Night (1992) as Hilary Banks
- Class Act (1992) as Ellen
- Blossom (1990) as Hilary Banks
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Hilary Banks
- Death Spa (1988) as Brooke
- Hunter (1984) as Elizabeth Childs
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Karyn Parsons best known for?
Karyn Parsons is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Tamron Hall (2019), 8 Mile (2002), Hellboy (2004), The Human Stain (2003).
When and where was Karyn Parsons born?
Karyn Parsons was born on October 8, 1966 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
How many credits does Karyn Parsons have?
Karyn Parsons has accumulated over 24 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1984 to 2026.
What is Karyn Parsons's background in cinema and television?
Karyn Parsons is an actress born on October 8, 1966, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. Also known as Karyn Rockwell, she decided to go into acting at the age of 13. She had her first television role in the 1987 NBC drama The Bronx Zoo and achieved her big break playing Will Smith's cousin Hilary Banks on the ...
Karyn Parsons by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Static Shock (2000) as Tracy Flackman (voice) — aged about 33
- Out All Night (1992) as Hilary Banks — aged about 25
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Hilary Banks — aged about 23
- Gulliver's Travels (1996) as Lady-in-Waiting — aged about 29
- Hunter (1984) as Elizabeth Childs — aged about 17
- The John Larroquette Show (1993) as Annie — aged about 26
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