Lisa Bonet is an American actress best known for playing Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show and its spinoff A Different World. Born in San Francisco on November 16, 1967, she became one of the defining television faces of the 1980s before building a quieter, more selective film career.
Her personal life has drawn nearly as much attention as her performances. Marriages to Lenny Kravitz and Jason Momoa, a legal name change, and three children have kept her in the public eye for more than three decades.
Her story includes an early rise to fame, two high-profile marriages, and a career that has always moved at her own pace.
Who is Lisa Bonet?
Lisa Michelle Bonet was born to Arlene Joyce Litman, a Jewish-American schoolteacher and music teacher, and Allen Bonet, an African-American opera singer from Texas. Wikipedia and Biography.com document her career and personal history in detail.
Quick snapshot
- Full name / Also known as: Lisa Michelle Bonet; legally changed her name to Lilakoi Moon in 1995.
- Date of birth / Age: November 16, 1967; 58 years old as of 2026.
- Profession: Actress.
- Known for: Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show and A Different World.
Key insights
- Bonet began appearing in commercials at age 11 and landed The Cosby Show by age 16.
- Her portrayal of Denise Huxtable helped pioneer a bohemian style and free-spirited presence on mainstream network television.
- The 1995 name change to Lilakoi Moon signaled a deliberate shift away from Hollywood conventions.
- Her relationships with Lenny Kravitz and Jason Momoa have sustained public interest beyond her acting roles.
- Bonet has kept a carefully paced career, with a limited number of major film roles since her TV breakthrough.
Fast facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lisa Michelle Bonet |
| Legal name (since 1995) | Lilakoi Moon |
| Date of birth | November 16, 1967 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Profession | Actress |
| Known for | Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show and A Different World |
| Parents | Arlene Joyce Litman (mother), Allen Bonet (father) |
| Spouses | Lenny Kravitz (1987–1993), Jason Momoa (2017–2024) |
| Children | Zoë Kravitz, Lola Momoa, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa |
| Career start | Commercials at age 11; The Cosby Show at age 16 |
How Old is Lisa Bonet?
Lisa Bonet was born on November 16, 1967, making her 58 years old as of 2026. IMDb’s biography page lists her birthplace as San Francisco, California, and confirms the date of birth.
When Was Lisa Bonet Born?
Bonet was born in San Francisco, California, to Arlene Joyce Litman and Allen Bonet. Her mother worked as a schoolteacher and music teacher, and her father was an opera singer from Texas.
What Was Lisa Bonet Like When She Was Young?
Bonet began appearing in commercials at age 11, and by age 16 she had been cast as Denise Huxtable, the second Huxtable child on The Cosby Show. Sources also note that she had child acting and TV guest work before the show. The African American Registry mentions her early talent and the mystery that surrounded her public image.
By age 16, Bonet had already moved from child commercials to a leading role on a major network sitcom.
Who is Lisa Bonet Married To?
Bonet married singer Lenny Kravitz in 1987. Several sources say the marriage ended in 1993, though some list later dates; the widely reported and more consistent timeline places the divorce at 1993. Their daughter, Zoë Kravitz, was born in 1988.
She later married actor Jason Momoa in 2017. The couple had two children before announcing a separation in 2022; biographical timelines record the divorce as finalized in 2024. People.com has tracked the relationship milestones over the years.
Who Are Lisa Bonet’s Children?
Lisa Bonet has three children:
- Zoë Kravitz (born 1988), from her marriage to Lenny Kravitz.
- Lola Momoa (born 2007), from her marriage to Jason Momoa.
- Nakoa-Wolf Momoa (born 2008), from her marriage to Jason Momoa.
Who Are Lisa Bonet’s Parents?
Her mother, Arlene Joyce Litman, was a Jewish-American schoolteacher and music teacher. Her father, Allen Bonet, was an African-American opera singer from Texas.
What Movies and TV Shows is Lisa Bonet Known For?
What Is Lisa Bonet’s Most Famous Role?
Bonet’s most famous role is Denise Huxtable, the second Huxtable child on The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992. She also played the character as Denise Huxtable-Kendall in A Different World. The role made her widely known, and she remains closely identified with it.
What Other Films and Shows Has Lisa Bonet Appeared In?
Her credits include Angel Heart (1987), Enemy of the State (1998), High Fidelity (2000), and Biker Boyz (2003). She also took guest roles in The Red Road (2014) and Ray Donovan (2016). Rotten Tomatoes maintains a full list of her acting credits, and Encyclopedia.com offers a broad overview of her career path.
After The Cosby Show, Bonet maintained a deliberately limited screen presence, taking a handful of film roles and occasional TV guest spots over the following decades.
What is Lisa Bonet’s Net Worth?
Published estimates for Lisa Bonet’s net worth vary widely. The sources reviewed for this article do not provide a reliable or consistent figure, and Bonet has not publicly disclosed her financial details. Some outlets have suggested estimates in the range of $10–14 million, but these remain speculative and should not be treated as confirmed.
Celebrity net worth numbers are estimates, not official records. In Bonet’s case, different publications use different assumptions, which is why reported figures can vary significantly.
What Are the Key Milestones in Lisa Bonet’s Life?
- 1967: Born in San Francisco, California.
- 1984: Cast as Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show.
- 1987: Married Lenny Kravitz; starred in Angel Heart.
- 1988: Daughter Zoë Kravitz born.
- 1993: Divorce from Lenny Kravitz finalized.
- 2005: Began her relationship with Jason Momoa.
- 2007–2008: Daughter Lola Momoa and son Nakoa-Wolf Momoa born.
- 2017: Married Jason Momoa.
- 2022: Announced separation from Jason Momoa.
- 2024: Divorce from Jason Momoa finalized.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Legal name change to Lilakoi Moon in 1995 | Exact net worth figures |
| Date and place of birth | Current acting projects |
| Marriage to Lenny Kravitz (1987–1993) | Whether she plans to return to acting |
| Marriage to and separation from Jason Momoa | Any details about a new relationship |
| Names and birth years of her three children | The full personal reasons behind her name change |
Why Does Lisa Bonet’s Career Still Matter?
Bonet’s role as Denise Huxtable broke ground for portraying a free-spirited Black teenager on network television. She helped bring a bohemian, individualistic style to a mainstream sitcom, and the character became a cultural reference point for the 1980s.
She also navigated public controversies during that era, including scrutiny over her on-screen pregnancy and her attire choices. Her interracial marriage to Lenny Kravitz and later partnership with Jason Momoa reinforced her reputation for defying traditional Hollywood norms.
Her measured approach to fame, with long gaps between projects, set her apart from many of her contemporaries. Readers interested in other actors who have managed similarly long careers can explore the profile of Kevin Bacon – Biography, Movies, Net Worth and 2025 Update.
Which Sources Provide Reliable Information About Lisa Bonet?
Biographical information about Lisa Bonet is documented across encyclopedia references, entertainment databases, and celebrity news outlets. Wikipedia provides a structured profile covering her birth, name change, and television career. IMDb handles filmography verification, while People.com has reported on relationship and family milestones.
Lisa Bonet is an American actress best known for playing Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show and its spinoff A Different World.
Wikipedia
Bonet began appearing in commercials at age 11, and by age 16 she landed the role of Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show.
IMDb biography notes
What Should You Remember About Lisa Bonet?
Lisa Bonet’s career is defined by one iconic television role and a deliberately restrained filmography. Her personal life, including her marriages to Lenny Kravitz and Jason Momoa and her three children, has kept her in the spotlight across generations. While some details—such as her current projects and net worth—remain matters of public speculation, her place in television history is well established. For another look at an actor who built a lasting career across film and television, see Forest Whitaker – Biography, Movies, Net Worth, Eye Condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lisa Bonet
What is Lisa Bonet’s original name?
Lisa Michelle Bonet. She legally changed her name to Lilakoi Moon in 1995.
Why did Lisa Bonet change her name?
For personal and spiritual reasons. Bonet has not explained the decision in detail publicly.
Is Lisa Bonet still acting?
She has stepped back from acting but has not officially retired. Biographical sources describe her as selective rather than fully retired.
How old is Lisa Bonet’s daughter Zoë Kravitz?
Zoë Kravitz was born in 1988, making her 37 years old in 2025 and 38 in 2026.
How many children does Lisa Bonet have?
Three: Zoë Kravitz, Lola Momoa, and Nakoa-Wolf Momoa.
Does Lisa Bonet have a daughter with Jason Momoa?
Yes. Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa have a daughter, Lola Momoa, born in 2007.
Leon Carter is Celebrity & Royals Correspondent at CultureObserver.uk, covering celebrity news, royal coverage and red-carpet reporting.