"Moesha" Stars: Where Are They Now?

In the era of ‘90s Black sitcoms, one show shone brightly, capturing the hearts of audiences with its wit, charm, and relatable narrative. Moesha aired for six seasons from 1996 to 2001. Despite ending over two decades ago, the show is still fondly remembered and regarded as a classic. The beloved sitcom etched itself into pop culture and propelled the careers of many members of its cast. Since 2001, the wonderful cast who portrayed Moesha’s endearing characters have moved on to other things. From becoming an R&B icon to winning a Primetime Emmy Award, here’s what the cast of Moesha has been up to.

From 17 to 22, Brandy played the titular role of Moesha Mitchell in the popular series. Before starring in Moesha, Brandy was already a burgeoning R&B star. Her self-titled debut album, released in 1994, was a commercial success, and her popularity grew with her appearance on Moesha. After the show wrapped up in 2001, Brandy’s musical career continued to bloom, as well as her acting career.

Altogether, she has released eight studio albums to date and is now regarded as a living legend in contemporary R&B. Although she is more popularly known for her singing, Brandy has racked up acting credits over the years. She has appeared in movies and TV shows, including The Perfect Match (2016), Zoe Ever After (2016), and Star (2018 - 2019), among others. Brandy has a daughter, Sy’rai Ajman Smith, who is also a singer.

Like Brandy, William Allen Young was a part of the main cast for all six seasons of Moesha. The actor who portrayed Franklin Mitchell, Moesha’s father, is now 69 years old. Also, like Brandy, he has remained active in the entertainment industry, mostly starring in TV shows. Between 2004 and 2022, Young has had roles in three CSI installments (Crime Scene Investigation, Miami, and Vegas). He has also starred in Good Luck Charlie (2011 - 2012) and 9-1-1: Lone Star (2021 - present), among others.

Sheryl Lee Ralph played the role of Deidre Mitchell, Moesha’s stepmother in the sitcom. Before Moesha, the actress already had an impressive catalog, appearing in multiple movies and shows. After the show, Lee Ralph didn’t take her foot off the gas either and continued to grow the entries in her filmography. She has acting credits in Christmas in Compton (2012), Barbershop (2005), and Criminal Minds (2016), among others. Most notably, she has starred in Abbott Elementary since 2021. She plays the character Barbara Howard, a role for which she won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Playing Kimberly Parker, Moesha’s best friend in the show, Countess Vaughn was a leading cast member for the first three seasons. Subsequently, she left Moesha to star in the lead role of the spin-off series The Parkers (1999 - 2004). Since then, Vaughn has continued to act. She has appeared in several movies and shows, including Hollywood Divas (2014 - 2016), Dish Nation (2020), and Harlem (2023). In 2016, she also released the single “Do You Love Him?/Wifey” with an accompanying video on YouTube. Vaughn is a mother of two, a son and a daughter.

The pesky but endearing character Myles Mitchell, Moesha’s younger brother, was played by Marcus T. Paulk. Since Moesha wrapped, Paulk has appeared in many other movies and TV shows. He has acting credits in Take the Lead (2006), Red Tails (2012), and Black-ish (2015), among others. 

Rapper and actor Lamont Bentley portrayed Moesha’s friend-turned-boyfriend Hakeem Campbell. Another series regular, he appeared in all six seasons of the show and was a favorite of many viewers. Unfortunately, Bentley passed away at the age of 31 in 2005, killed in a single-car accident. Despite his sad and untimely passing, the actor’s legacy lives on through his work on Moesha. 

Yvette Wilson was a series regular in all but the final season of Moesha. Nevertheless, she left a lasting impression on audiences throughout the first five seasons. After finishing with Moesha, she starred in The Parkers as a member of the main cast for all five seasons. After The Parkers wrapped in 2004, she only starred in Ganked (2005) and Life After (2010). On June 14, 2012, Wilson sadly died due to cervical cancer. 

Although she started as a recurring character, Shar Jackson was bumped into a series regular in season two of Moesha. After the show ended, the actress continued her acting career, taking on a handful of roles over the years. She has appeared in Steppin: The Movie (2009) and Shameless (2021), among others. Additionally, Jackson, now 47 years old, is a mother of four and has been a grandmother since 2015.

Actor and rapper Fredro Starr portrayed Moesha’s love interest, Quinton Brooks, in the show. Starr’s character was introduced in the second season and continued until the end. Starr has starred in many shows and movies since Moesha ended. Since 2001, he has also released four solo studio albums altogether. The rapper has been married to Croatian model Korina Longin since 2007, and the two share four children together.

Ray J is Brandy’s real-life younger brother. However, in Moesha, he played the titular character’s cousin, Dorian Long. At least until it was revealed that he was actually her long-lost half-brother. While he is primarily a businessman, Ray J has starred in a handful of movies and shows since Moesha ended. These include A Day in the Life (2009), Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood (2014 - 2019), and Insecure (2020), among many others. Altogether, Ray J has five albums in his discography, his most recent body of work being Raydemption (2022).