Alfonso Ribeiro

A highly charismatic dancer-actor, Alfonso Ribeiro launched his entertainment career with the starring role in the 1983 Broadway musical "The Tap Dance Kid," a breakdancing appearance in a Michael Jackson Pepsi commercial and a plum role as Ricky Schroder's sidekick on "Silver Spoons" (NBC, 1982-86; syndicated, 1986-87). Ribeiro's star-making turn, however, came as the delightfully dorky Carlton Banks, cousin to Will Smith's "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (NBC, 1990-96). Winning a Best Supporting Actor Image Award and sitcom immortality, Ribeiro charmed with his comedic chops, epitomized by his infamous "Carlton Dance." Although he scored another long-running gig as LL Cool J's sidekick on "In the House" (NBC, 1995-96; UPN, 1996-99), Ribeiro increasingly focused on directing and on-air presenting, lensing multiple episodes of several series, including "All of Us" (UPN, 2003-06; The CW, 2006-07), "Meet the Browns" (TBS, 2009-2011) and "Are We There Yet?" (TBS, 2010-13) as well as hosting "GSN Live" (GSN, 2008-2011) and "Catch 21" (GSN, 2008- ). Although his "Fresh Prince" success both helped and hindered his career, Alfonso Ribeiro remained an enormously likable and talented performer with the talent to transcend his sitcom typecasting.