Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad will join the cast of Fox’s ‘Empire’ this season. Rashad will play the role of Diana DuBois, a powerhouse from one of New York’s oldest and most prominent African-American families. As the mother of ambitious city councilman Angelo Dubois (guest star Taye Diggs), she has her sights set on a higher office for her only son, and she’ll stop at nothing to groom him. Diana’s interactions with Cookie, Lucious and the rest of the Lyon clan will lay bare the stark class divides that can exist, even within the black community.
A versatile performer, Phylicia Rashad became a household name with her role as “Claire Huxtable” on “The Cosby Show,” one of the most iconic characters in television history. While television played a significant role in the rise of Rashad’s career, she has also been a force on the stage, appearing in both on and off Broadway production. A triple threat (singer, actress, dancer), Rashad has starred in productions like “Jelly’s Last Jam,” “Into The Woods,” “Dreamgirls” and “The Wiz.” As a dramatic actress, Rashad has performed on Broadway in “August: Osage County,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Gem Of The Ocean” and “Cymbeline.” In 2004, Rashad received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her outstanding performance in the Broadway revival of “A Raisin In The Sun,” becoming the first black actress to win a Tony for a dramatic leading role.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYMeQ9Lbjd4
On television,  Rashad has recently appeared on USA Network’s “Psych” and Lifetime’s movie “Steel Magnolias.” In film, Rashad has most recently starred in Ryan Coogler’s “Creed,” and Tyler Perry’s “Good Deeds” and “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf.”
“Empire” returns to Fox on Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. Check local listings for channel information.
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