Tatyana Ali: From Bel Air to Harvard and Back
A look at Tatyana Ali's journey in life and entertainment.
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Trinidad - Although Tatyana Ali was born in the United States, her father is from Trinidad and is of East Indian descent and her mother is from Panama and is of African descent. (Photo: REUTERS/Andrea De Silva)
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Brooklyn - Tatyana Ali was born in Brooklyn, New York, a city with a background as diverse as her own. Although she might have become famous in Bel Air, like many other stars, she was born in Brooklyn. Photo: Chris Hondros/Getty Images)
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Long Island - Tatyana's family would leave Brooklyn and move to Bellmore, Long Island, where she would attend elementary and junior high school. (Photo: Glen Argov /Landov)
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Sesame Street - Tatyana Ali got her acting break on the wildly popular PBS children's educational show Sesame Street. She would also have roles on the Cosby Show and Eddie Murphy's Raw. (Photo: Children's Television Workshop)
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Tatyana Ali - As a young child Tatyana got a chance to flex her vocal skills on the television talent show Star Search, hosted by Ed McMahon. (Photo: CBS)
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The Buckley School - Tatyana's family would move to Los Angeles to support her budding acting and singing career. There she would attend the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. (Photo: Courtesy of The Buckley School)
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The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - In 1990 Tatyana Ali was cast as Ashley Banks on the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The show would turn Will Smith into a Hollywood star and run for six seasons. (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images)
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Tatyana Ali - Tatyana Ali would graduate from the prestigious Harvard University in 2002 with a degree in government and African-American studies. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder /Landov)
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Barack Obama Campaign - In 2008, Tatyana helped out Barack Obama's presidential campaign, appearing in two videos and making several appearances on his behalf. (Photo: Tatyana Ali/Facebook)