Biographies: Raven-Symone, 1989, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483

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From: November 1 and December 27, 1989 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American


Article No. 1

Cosby Star Has Roots In Winn Parish

by Vernon Ray Davenport, Sr., Enterprise Correspondent

The newest, and smallest, addition to The Cosby Show has family ties in Winn
Parish.

Raven-Symone, the new TV star who portrays Denise's (Lisa Bonet) stepdaughter,
is also the granddaughter of Winnfield residents, Mrs. Louise Moss and the
late Mr. Julius Gaulden.

The adorable little actress is the daughter of the former Miss Lydia Gaulden,
a Winnfield native who now lives in New York with her husband, Christopher
Pearman.

Raven, who is 3 «, is also the great niece of Mrs. Frankie Moran, Mrs. Lela
Webb, and Mr. Glen Moss, all of Winnfield.

Mrs. Pearman, who graduated from Winnfield Senior High School in 1976, went on
the Southern University where she received a degree in computer science.

She then went to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a career with National Cash
Register (NCR). It was there that she met her husband, Christopher.

After Raven-Symone was born, she began to appear in newspaper and magazine ads
in the Atlanta area. But once she began modeling for Macy's Department Store,
the Pearmans moved to New York. Very shortly after the move, Raven was signed
by the Ford Agency, a top modeling firm. The rest is history.

Raven-Symone has appeared in a dozen commercials for such companies as Cool
Whip and Walt Disney, and one currently being seen on television is for Ritz
Crackers. She has also been featured in TV Guide and Jet Magazine.

So, how did the little actress manage to land a role on TV's number one show?
By auditioning for a Bill Cosby film, and being determined too young for the
part. Still, she impressed the casting directors so much that they introduce
her to "The Cosby Show" writers, and a part was created for her.

"Raven is a ham by nature," said her mother. "She's loving every minute of
being involved with the show."

In order for Raven-Symone to learn her lines, the Pearmans read the script to
her about five times.

"This is not a pressure situation," her mother said. "She has a knack for
remembering things. It amazes her father and me." Raven's father serves as
her manager and is on the set of "The Cosby Show" during filming.

"She doesn't have a shy bone in her body," Mrs. Pearman added.

"She's already a pro," said Bill Cosby, star and executive producer of the
series. "She has an excellent memory and doesn't blow her lines or miss a
cue. She follows directions extremely well."

At 3 «, Raven-Symone is a popular TV actress, but according to her mother,
she's just like any other little girl at home. Raven plays with her doll and
two pets just as any other child her age might.

"She just has a job and she knows how to do it," her mother said.

And what does her proud grandmother have to say?

"She's so cute," said Mrs. Moss. "She's just like the part she plays on the
show."

Mrs. Moss went on to add that her daughter stayed in touch with her. "Lydia
calls me often," she added. "I'm proud of Raven-Symone. Every Thursday night
at 7 o'clock I make it a point to watch her on television. I really look
forward to the show. I don't want to miss seeing my granddaughter," she said.

People in Winn Parish now have a special reason to watch the number one Cosby
Show.


Article No. 2

Crown Drawn To Town To Visit 'Cosby' Star

The A. Leonard Allen Building in downtown Winnfield was filled with people,
mostly little people, last Wednesday.

To New Yorker Lydia Pearman, formerly Gaulden, a Winnfield native, it must
have been like a homecoming.

But at center stage was her daughter, 4 year old Raven-Symone ("we don't use
her last name," Mrs. Pearman told reporters), the newest member of the popular
"Cosby Show." Illegible _had declared December 20 as "Raven-Symone Day" and
was hosting a reception in honor of the young actress who was visiting her
grandmother, Louise Moss, December 16 through 21.

Mayor Max Kelley opened the reception by presenting a key to the city to the
young actress who was dressed in a purple velvet cap and vest. Clutching the
key, tiny Raven-Symone then made her way to the second floor for interviews
with TV and newspaper reporters, handling that task with aplomb. It was hard
to believe this veteran is only 4.

In a quiet moment, I asked Mrs. Pearman about WSHS, understanding her to be a
1976 graduate. "Yes, the Tigers," she beams, as if recalling good times at
her alma mater. And she asks about "Mr. Machen." But as reporters move in
for photographs, she steps back to her daughter's side.

Then downstairs they went to meet Raven-Symone's many fans, young and old
alike who filed by to shake her hand and say hell or to pause for a picture
with the young star. Some youngsters shyly stood back, awed simply to be
seeing a person someone they know from TV.

The child actress got her start in modeling and had done some TV commercials
when she was interviewed for an upcoming film with Bill Cosby. She lost that
part because of her age but won Cosby's heart, Mrs. Pearman said, and the part
of Olivia was written for her on the NBC series.

Despite her new stardom, her grandmother insists she is a "normal, average
child, who loves to play and have fun." During her stay here, she attended
the birthday party for Tiffany Martin, 9 year old daughter of Shelia and
Arthur Martin.</pre></body></html>

interesting sizzle thats cool!!!

I read that a while ago but lost the site. You definitely da man when it comes to finding things J.

cool facts jsizzle!:D