Top 10 Stars You Forgot Were on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Today he’s arguably best known as Ray’s cop brother, Robert from “Everybody Loves Raymond”. But two years before his breakthrough role, this actor was getting on the wrong side of the law in this “Fresh Prince” episode. Garrett takes on the role of a mob hitman in the elaborate tale Will and Carlton tell Jazz when they suspect him of cheating at poker. Will tells Jazz about the time he and the Banks ended up in the Witness Protection Program after he sees the hitman at work. Despite his relatively limited screen time, Garrett plays the catalyst for the entire story.

Both Will Smith and R&B group, “Boyz II Men” were at their peak during the ‘90s. With both also hailing from Philly, it only made sense to have the band on the show. Will hopes that this connection with the group might help him convince them to perform at Nicky’s Christening, but it turns out that Nathan in particular doesn’t have the fondest memories of growing up with Will. Just as Will is ready to admit defeat, they come through after all and perform “Silent Night” at the ceremony. And that is the story of how Nicky was christened Nicholas Michael Shawn Nathan Wanya Banks!

Lark Voorhies was a household name in the ‘90s after appearing in series like “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “Days of Our Lives”. But to many, she was best known as Lisa Turtle from “Saved by the Bell”. She made an appearance in season three of “Fresh Prince” as Carlton’s ex-girlfriend Cindy, who comes back into his life with an unexpected surprise. As Carlton comes to terms with fatherhood, he and Cindy decide to elope. At the last minute, she backs out, leaving Carlton heartbroken all over again. He later confesses to Will that he knew that the baby wasn’t his all along because the relationship had never been consummated.

When supermodel Naomi Campbell appeared in season one, she was making waves in the modeling world and had been dubbed as “the reigning megamodel of them all” earlier that same year. On the show, she plays British nanny Helen, new in Bel-Air, who Will sets up on a blind date with Geoffrey as a birthday present for the butler. It seems that Will was expecting more of a “Mary Poppins” type than a top model though - and he’s of course instantly attracted to her. Although she and Geoffrey hit it off instantly, it turns out that she just can’t keep up with the Banks’ butler.

When Will starts feeling homesick, the family flies out his old buddy Ice Tray to cheer him up. Much like Will, Ice Tray clashes with the Banks, which only makes things even more tense when he and Hilary hit it off. But we bet that you didn’t realize that Will’s childhood friend was played by none other than Don Cheadle! At the time, he’d had some minor acting gigs in movies and television, but his breakout role came in the 1995 movie “Devil in a Blue Dress”. The nineties were a great time for Cheadle, who continued to skyrocket to success ever since that decade.

With Vivian and Phil’s baby due any day now, the family fantasizes about how the newest little bundle of joy might impact their lives. In Hilary’s dream sequence, she imagines her little sister, Cindy, waiting on her hand and foot. That adorable little kid is played by Naya Rivera, who later became best known for playing Santana Lopez on “Glee”. Throughout the ‘90s and 2000s, Rivera spent much of her childhood and teen years frequenting the sitcom world. Don’t get us wrong: we love baby Nicky, but little Cindy is just so darn cute, too. It’s almost a shame that aunt Viv didn’t have twins.

Another child-actor cutie who could regularly be seen in the sitcom world throughout the ‘90s was Raven-Symoné. Audiences already knew her as Olivia from “The Cosby Show,” and she later became known as Nicole from “Hangin’ with Mr, Cooper” before starring in her own “Disney Channel” show, “That’s So Raven”. But sandwiched in between, Raven found time to make a “Fresh Prince” appearance during the show’s second season. She plays Claudia, the adorable daughter of Will’s mom’s boyfriend. It’s a shame that things don’t work out between Vy and Robert though, as Will and Claudia would have made the most hilarious stepbrother and sister.

Today, Oprah is considered by many as one of the most influential people in the U.S. and a talk show host extraordinaire. Her career has taken her in a multitude of directions, including a cameo in the show’s third season. When Trevor pulls some strings to get the Banks on her show, Will is heartbroken to be informed at the last minute that he won’t be joining them. After begrudgingly taking his seat in the audience, he continuously interrupts Oprah until she takes pity on him and lets him join the family on-stage. And well, you can imagine just how well that goes...

In the early ‘90s Chris Rock was an SNL cast member and by the time he made his guest appearance in the show’s final season, he was well-established in comedy circuits. Somewhere between his stand-up comedy career and breaking into the movie biz, Rock played popular comedian Maurice, who Hilary tries to land for her talk show. To keep him happy, her brand new assistant, Will, needs to take out Maurice’s sister, Jasmine. This seems like no problem for the renowned ladies’ man, that is until he sets eyes upon her. Let’s just say that you can certainly see the family resemblance.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jaleel White, “Not with My Cousin You Don’t”
Did You Remember That the “Family Matters” Actor Played Ashley’s Love Interest, Derek?

Milo Ventimiglia, “Bourgie Sings the Blues”
Before He Was Famous, Milo Was Partying with Ashley in Bel-Air

Issac Hayes, “The Wedding Show (Psyche!)”
There’s No Better Issac Hayes Impersonator Than, Well, Issac Hayes

Hank Azaria, “Mistaken Identity”
Azaria Played 1 of the Cops That Wrongfully Keep Will & Carlton Behind Bars

B.B. King, “Bourgie Sings the Blues”
He Makes a Hilarious Cameo as Blues Musician, Pappy

Queen Latifah appeared on the show on two separate occasions, and plays two characters that could not have been more different. In season one, she portrays famous actress and Hilary’s nightmarish boss Marissa Redman, who also happens to take a liking to Will. The following season, she returned as Dee Dee, the daughter of one of Philip’s clients, with whom Will makes a connection. The thing is, he’s embarrassed to be seen with her because of her weight. We already knew this Oscar-nominated star was a versatile performer given her wide-spanning career. But in “The Fresh Prince,” she gives two brilliant polar opposite performances, and that also deserves to be recognized.