Many people know Phylicia Rashad from The Cosby Show and her long career on stage and screen. But her son, William Lancelot Bowles III, stays away from the spotlight. He does not give interviews, and he is rarely photographed in public. Because of this, reliable facts about his life are simple and few. Still, we can build a clear picture using trustworthy information about his family background, birth year, and his quiet lifestyle today.
Personal Information
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | William Lancelot Bowles III |
| Nickname | Billy (used in childhood) |
| Known for | Being the son of actress Phylicia Rashad |
| Mother | Phylicia Rashad (actor, director) |
| Father | William Lancelot Bowles Jr. (dentist) |
| Year of birth | 1973 |
| Half-sister | Condola Phylea Rashad (actor) |
| Parents’ marriage | Married 1972, divorced 1975 |
| Reported career | Works in computer graphics |
| Public profile | Very private, rarely seen on social media or at events |
Early Life and Family
William was born in 1973 in the years when his mother was working hard to grow her theatre career. His father, William Lancelot Bowles Jr., is a dentist. His parents married in 1972 and divorced in 1975, when William was a toddler.
After the divorce, Phylicia continued to pursue acting. In interviews, she has talked about bringing her child to rehearsals and keeping him close while she worked. She even took him to rehearsals for The Wiz, and he would give small notes like “you need more energy here” when he was just seven years old. This shows he grew up around creative people and theatre spaces, even if he later chose a different path for himself.
A Blended Family
In 1985, Phylicia married former NFL star and sportscaster Ahmad Rashad. The next year they welcomed Condola Phylea Rashad, who is now a successful actor with multiple Tony Award nominations. William and Condola are half-siblings. Their mother has often said she is proud of both children and allowed them to find their own way.
This blended family also included Ahmad’s children from his previous relationships, so William grew up with a wide circle of siblings and step-siblings. Still, unlike Condola, he chose to keep a very quiet personal life.
Education and Work (What is publicly known)
Public information does not give detailed facts about William’s schools or degrees. That is normal for a private person. However, it has been mentioned that William works in computer graphics. This suggests a creative and technical path that fits someone who spent childhood around theatres and sets, yet prefers to build things behind the scenes.
There are no verified public reports of his exact job title, employer, or portfolio. He is not active on public social media, and his mother has said she avoids sharing his photos. This is a strong sign that William values privacy and wants his work life to be separate from his mother’s fame.
Relationship with His Mother
Phylicia Rashad is famous for playing a caring and wise mother on TV, and many fans see her that way in real life. In public comments, she has said her focus as a parent was to help her children ask, “Who are you really?” and to let them build their own path. This approach likely helped William choose a life outside the spotlight without pressure to follow show business.
Her career also gave him a unique childhood. He watched rehearsals, saw how performances were built, and learned that discipline and work ethic matter. Even if he did not become an actor, those lessons fit well with technical and creative work like computer graphics.
Why So Little Is Known
When a person is not a public figure, journalists and reference sites keep details limited to respect privacy. This is even more true when the person avoids social media. For William, the confirmed facts are:
- Birth year (1973)
- Parents (Phylicia Rashad and William Lancelot Bowles Jr.)
- Half-sister (Condola Rashad)
- Private lifestyle and reported work in computer graphics
Anything beyond these facts, like personal relationships, exact workplaces, or daily life, is not confirmed and should not be guessed.
His Place in a Famous Family
Even though William is private, his family is well known in American arts:
- Phylicia Rashad is a Tony-winning actor and director, known worldwide for The Cosby Show and many stage roles.
- Condola Rashad is a respected stage and screen actor with four Tony nominations and roles on TV, including Billions.
- The larger family includes Debbie Allen, Phylicia’s sister, a major figure in dance, TV, and theatre.
Because of this, fans are often curious about William. But his choice shows that not every person in a famous family must live publicly. Some support the arts in quiet ways or build careers in different fields.
What We Can Learn from His Story
William’s story can teach a simple lesson: privacy is a valid choice. In a world where many share everything online, he shows that it is possible to live a full life without public attention. He may enjoy creative, technical work, spend time with family, and live a peaceful day-to-day life, just not on camera.
For writers and readers, the key is to stick to confirmed facts and respect boundaries. With William, the best approach is to share only what is published in trustworthy places and avoid rumors.
Final Note
William Lancelot Bowles III chooses privacy. What we know is short and clear: his parents, his birth year, his half-sister, and a likely career in computer graphics. Anything more is not confirmed. Respecting his quiet life is the best way to tell his story correctly.
FAQs
- Who is William Lancelot Bowles III?
He is the son of actress Phylicia Rashad and her first husband, William Lancelot Bowles Jr. - When was he born?
He was born in 1973. - Who are his parents?
His parents are Phylicia Rashad and William Lancelot Bowles Jr. (a dentist). - Does he have siblings?
Yes. He has a half-sister, Condola Phylea Rashad, who is an actor. - Is he in the entertainment industry?
Public reports say he works in computer graphics, not as an actor. - Why is there so little information about him?
He keeps a very private life. His mother also does not share his photos on social media. - When did his parents marry and divorce?
They married in 1972 and divorced in 1975. - How is he related to Ahmad Rashad?
Ahmad Rashad is his former stepfather (Phylicia married Ahmad in 1985 and later divorced). - Is William active on social media?
No, he keeps a low profile online. - Where does he live now?
It has been reported that he once lived on the West Coast, but no updated location is given publicly.
