Daphne Maxwell Reid was born and raised on Manhattan's west side. She attended the renowned Bronx High School of Science and later went to Northwestern University and received a degree in interior design and architecture. During that time she started modeling and did a Seventeen magazine photo spread before signing with the Eileen Ford modeling agency.

    In 1979 she moved to Los Angeles to establish an acting career.  She recently worked with her husband while he made his directorial debut in the feature film 'When We Were Colored'.  She worked as a second unit director and assisted him with production.  Daphne and her husband live on a farm in Virginia with their three children.

    As well as 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel - Air', Vivian has starred in the following TV programmes and films;