Chicago native Tempestt Bledsoe rose to fame as the Huxtable family's middle child, sensitive and smart Vanessa. In addition to The Cosby Show, Bledsoe has been featured in several TV movies, including Dance til Dawn, Santa and Pete and Home by Midnight, plus the title role in the Afterschool Special Amazing Grace.

She starred in her own teen fitness video and hosted the short-lived daytime talkfest The Tempestt Bledsoe Show.

Bledsoe graduated from New York University with a degree in finance. She is still involved in acting, performing in several off-Broadway productions and in the TV movies The Expendables and 2002's Fire and Ice. She has had a recurring role on The Practice, as well as guest starring on The Parkers and The Jenny McCarthy Show.