
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
January 13, 1956 (age 70)
Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Also Known As
Janet Hubert-Whitten
Janet Hubert
Biography
Janet Louise Hubert was born in Chicago, IL. She is best known for playing the sassy, witty, outgoing, protective mom on the hit TV sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990).
Janet Hubert spent most of her childhood growing up in Momence, IL. That changed when she won a scholarship to Julliard School in New York City. After Juilliard, Janet studied all forms of dance and studied with some of the best teachers including Alvin Ailey and David Howard. She debuted on Broadway in "The First". She went on to do shows such as "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Dancin'", and was a member of the original Broadway cast of "CATS", where she created the role of Tantomile, and was the understudy for Betty Buckley, singing the title role, in New York City. However, her most memorable role came in 1990 when she made her TV debut in "Fresh Prince". She has since guest-starred on numerous shows, including Gilmore Girls (2000), Friends (1994), The Bernie Mac Show (2001) and Tales from the Crypt (1989). She has also appeared on the Tyler Perry hit House of Payne (2006). Janet has been battling osteoporosis and has recently became an ambassador for the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Janet will forever be known as a versatile actress, dancer and singer. She was, to many, a woman who stood her ground, much like that of her character on "Fresh Prince"--the strong-willed yet elegant, original, one and only Vivian Banks.
Known For

TV
Friends
Ms. McKenna
1994

TV
New Amsterdam
Dr. Palpa
2018

TV
Gilmore Girls
Gisele Gerard
2000

TV
Sherri
Self - Guest
2022

TV
Coach
Karen Williams
1989

TV
21 Jump Street
Councilwoman Travers
1987

TV
The Pretender
Madam Director
1996

TV
Tales from the Crypt
Psyche
1989

TV
Hunter
Vanessa Riley
1984

TV
Bel-Air
Iris
2022

TV
The Bernie Mac Show
Leora
2001

TV
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Vivian Banks
1990

TV
The Jamie Foxx Show
Edwina Dubois
1996

TV
Love Life
Donna Watkins
2020

TV
Dave's World
Elise
1993

TV
Reasonable Doubts
Mary Sims
1991

TV
Sweet Magnolias
Bev
2020

TV
POSE
Latrice
2018

TV
The Last O.G.
Miss May Miller
2018

TV
My Dad the Bounty Hunter
Empress Gurira (voice)
2023
Filmography
2025TVDemascusas Dr. Bonnetville2024FilmSnatched2023FilmThe Perfect Findas Monica2023TVMy Dad the Bounty Hunteras Empress Gurira (voice)2022FilmRemember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Storyas Aunt Duke2022TVSherrias Self - Guest2022FilmFever2022TVBel-Airas Iris2022FilmSingle Black Femaleas Denise Harris2020FilmThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunionas Self2020TVLove Lifeas Donna Watkins2020TVSweet Magnoliasas Bev2019FilmChristmas Bellesas Whitley2019TVKing Esteras Mignon Pappion2018TVNew Amsterdamas Dr. Palpa2018TVPOSEas Latrice2018TVThe Last O.G.as Miss May Miller2016FilmNot Another Black Movieas Aunt Gloria2016FilmNo Letting Goas Dr. Stacey Slater2013FilmMomas Judy2004FilmChristmas at Water's Edgeas Mrs. Turner2001TVThe Bernie Mac Showas Leora2001Film30 Years to Lifeas Joy's Mom2001TVThe Job2000TVGilmore Girlsas Gisele Gerard1997TVLawlessas Esther Hayes1996TVThe Pretenderas Madam Director1996TVThe Jamie Foxx Showas Edwina Dubois1996TVGoode Behavioras Dr. Pamela Fordham1996TVThe Faculty1995FilmWhite Man's Burdenas Dinner Guest1994FilmNew Edenas Ashtarte1994TVFriendsas Ms. McKenna1993TVDave's Worldas Elise1991TVReasonable Doubtsas Mary Sims1990TVThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airas Vivian Banks1989TVTales from the Cryptas Psyche1989TVCoachas Karen Williams1989TVA Man Called Hawk1987TV21 Jump Streetas Councilwoman Travers1986FilmAgent on Iceas Lola1984TVHunteras Vanessa Riley