William Lancelot Bowles Jr. is a dentist who became known as actress Phylicia Rashad’s first husband and father of their son, William Lancelot Bowles III. Born in 1939, he chose a quiet professional life away from Hollywood’s spotlight despite his connection to one of television’s most beloved actresses.
Quick Facts About William Lancelot Bowles Jr.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Lancelot Bowles Jr. |
| Date of Birth | September 30, 1939 |
| Age | 85 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, New York |
| Profession | Dentist |
| Famous For | First husband of Phylicia Rashad |
| Children | William Lancelot Bowles III (born 1973) |
| Marital Status | Divorced (1975) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Irish and English descent) |
Who is William Lancelot Bowles Jr.?
William Lancelot Bowles Jr. lived most of his life away from cameras and red carpets. He built a successful dental practice while his ex-wife became a household name on The Cosby Show. Their paths crossed in the early 1970s when both were young and ambitious, leading to a marriage that lasted three years but created a lifelong connection through their son.
His story shows you don’t need fame to make a meaningful impact. He chose his career, raised his son, and maintained his dignity through decades of public curiosity about his famous ex-wife.
Early Life and Family Background
Bowles was born on September 30, 1939, at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. His parents brought diverse cultural backgrounds to his upbringing—his father came from Ireland while his mother, Eileen Beatrice Wilson, came from England.
Growing up in a multicultural household during the 1940s and 1950s gave him exposure to different perspectives. This was a time when America was recovering from World War II and experiencing major social changes. These formative years shaped his values and work ethic.
His father worked as a dentist, which later influenced his own career choice. The medical field ran in the family, showing that some professional paths get passed down through generations.
Education and Path to Dentistry
To become a dentist, Bowles had to complete years of rigorous training. First, he earned a bachelor’s degree, then moved on to dental school where he obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
Dental education in the 1960s required dedication and precision. Students learned anatomy, pharmacology, and hands-on techniques for treating patients. The field was advancing rapidly with new technologies and better pain management options.
He followed his father’s footsteps into dentistry, showing respect for family tradition while building his own professional reputation. This career choice would provide him stability and purpose throughout his adult life.
Career as a Dentist
Bowles spent most of his adult life working as a dentist, making a real difference in people’s lives. His work involved everything from routine cleanings to complex procedures requiring steady hands and careful attention.
Dentistry in the 1960s through 1980s saw major improvements. New anesthetics made procedures less painful. Better filling materials lasted longer. Preventive care became standard practice. Bowles kept up with these changes, adapting his skills as the field progressed.
Running a dental practice meant more than just treating teeth. He managed staff, kept detailed patient records, ordered supplies, and built relationships with families who trusted him with their oral health. This work required patience, technical skill, and genuine care for others.
His career may not have brought fame, but it brought something more valuable—the satisfaction of helping people solve problems and live healthier lives. Every day, he made someone’s pain go away or gave them back their smile.
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Meeting and Marrying Phylicia Rashad
Bowles met Phylicia Rashad in 1968, starting a relationship that would change both their lives. At the time, she was a young actress fresh out of Howard University, dreaming of Broadway success. He was an established dentist with a stable career.
They came from different worlds—he worked in medicine while she pursued the arts. But something clicked between them. They married in 1972, beginning a new chapter together.
Their marriage represented the blending of two different professional spheres. He provided stability while she chased her artistic ambitions. These early years together came before Rashad’s major fame, when she was still building her reputation in theater.
Their Son: William Lancelot Bowles III
The couple had one son, William Lancelot Bowles III, who was born the following year in 1973. Becoming a father added new meaning to Bowles’s life.
Their son grew up between two worlds—his mother’s glamorous theater life and his father’s more conventional medical practice. Phylicia would bring young William to rehearsals, and he even gave her feedback at just seven years old during The Wiz.
Despite their busy careers, both parents made time for their son. Rashad has spoken about making breakfast for him every morning and ensuring they spent quality time together. This commitment to parenting showed their shared values even as their marriage was ending.
William III has lived most of his life privately. He pursued a career in computer graphics, choosing a creative but technical path that kept him away from Hollywood’s spotlight. He now lives in Los Angeles, maintaining the same preference for privacy his father always had.
Divorce and Life After Marriage
The marriage ended in 1975, just three years after it began and two years after their son’s birth. The reasons for their split have remained private, which both parties have respected over the decades.
After the divorce, Bowles returned to his dental practice and private life. He didn’t seek media attention or try to profit from his connection to Rashad’s growing fame. This decision showed his character—he valued his independence and dignity more than any temporary spotlight.
Rashad went on to marry twice more, first to Victor Willis of the Village People, then to former NFL player Ahmad Rashad. She had a daughter, Condola Rashad, who became an accomplished actress. But Bowles remained the father of her first child, maintaining that permanent connection.
Their ability to co-parent successfully, even after divorce, speaks well of both individuals. They put their son’s needs first and maintained respect for each other despite going separate ways.
Life as a Private Citizen
After his divorce from Phylicia Rashad, Bowles largely retreated from the public eye, focusing on his dental career and personal life. He never gave interviews or made public statements about his famous ex-wife.
This choice to stay private in an age of constant media coverage is remarkable. Many people in his position would have written a tell-all book or tried to cash in on their connection to celebrity. Bowles did none of that.
He continued treating patients, managing his practice, and living his life on his own terms. No scandals. No controversies. No desperate grabs for attention. Just a man doing his job and respecting his own boundaries.
This approach to life shows strength of character. He didn’t need external validation or fame to feel successful. His work mattered. His son mattered. The rest was noise
Net Worth and Financial Standing
As a successful dentist with decades of practice, Bowles likely earned a comfortable living. His net worth is estimated at over $1.5 million, though exact figures remain private.
Dentists in his era could build profitable practices, especially in urban areas like New York. The work provided steady income, the ability to set his own schedule, and professional respect in his community.
His financial success came from his own skills and hard work, not from any connection to entertainment or celebrity. This independence mattered to him—he built his life on his own terms and provided for his family through his profession.
Phylicia Rashad: The Woman Who Became a Star
To understand Bowles’s story, you need to know about the woman he married. Phylicia Rashad became one of television’s most iconic actresses, playing Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992.
She made history as the first Black actress to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in A Raisin in the Sun in 2004. She’s appeared in films like Creed, Good Deeds, and Soul, and recently served as dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts.
Her success came after their marriage ended. Bowles watched from a distance as his ex-wife became a household name, never trying to ride her coattails or claim credit for her achievements. This respect for her independent success shows maturity and genuine character.
The Rashad Family Connection
Through his marriage, Bowles connected to an incredibly talented family. Phylicia’s sister is Debbie Allen, the famous choreographer, actress, and director who produced Grey’s Anatomy and starred in Fame.
Their mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, was a poet and cultural activist. Their father, Andrew Arthur Allen, was a dentist—interestingly, the same profession Bowles chose.
This family valued education, arts, and cultural contribution. Growing up in the segregated South, they faced discrimination but used it as motivation to excel. They moved to Mexico for a period to escape racial segregation before returning to the United States.
Bowles became part of this legacy through his marriage and son, even if his own path took him in a different direction professionally.
Current Life and Legacy
At 85 years old in 2025, Bowles has likely retired from dental practice. He reportedly lives quietly, possibly still in the New York area where he built his career.
There are no recent photos, interviews, or public appearances. His social media presence is nonexistent. He’s maintained the same commitment to privacy he showed after his divorce nearly 50 years ago.
His legacy isn’t measured in magazine covers or red carpet appearances. It’s measured in the patients he helped, the son he raised, and the dignity he maintained throughout his life. He showed that you can be connected to fame without being consumed by it.
His son carries his name forward—William Lancelot Bowles III—maintaining the family tradition even while choosing his own private path. This pattern of independence and self-determination seems to run in the family.
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Lessons from a Life Well-Lived
Bowles’s story teaches several important lessons. First, you don’t need fame to have a meaningful life. His career helping patients brought real value to his community.
Second, privacy is a choice worth protecting. In an age where everyone shares everything online, his commitment to keeping his life private shows real strength.
Third, how you handle divorce matters. He and Rashad managed to co-parent successfully without public drama or bitter battles. They put their son first and maintained mutual respect.
Fourth, your worth isn’t defined by your connection to famous people. Bowles built his identity on his own work and values, not on being “Phylicia Rashad’s ex-husband.”
Finally, staying true to your character through changing circumstances matters more than any temporary spotlight. Bowles remained himself through his ex-wife’s rise to fame, never changing his values or compromising his principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is William Lancelot Bowles Jr. still alive?
Yes, William Lancelot Bowles Jr. is believed to be alive as of 2025. He would be 85 years old. However, due to his extremely private lifestyle, there’s limited current information about him. He has maintained his privacy for decades and doesn’t make public appearances.
Q2: How long were William Lancelot Bowles Jr. and Phylicia Rashad married?
They were married for three years, from 1972 to 1975. They had one son together during their marriage, William Lancelot Bowles III, who was born in 1973. The couple met in 1968 and divorced when their son was just two years old.
Q3: What does William Lancelot Bowles III do for a living?
William Lancelot Bowles III works in computer graphics, according to reports from 2001. He has chosen a career path that’s creative and technical but keeps him away from the entertainment spotlight. He lives in Los Angeles and maintains an extremely private lifestyle, rarely appearing in public or on social media.
Q4: Did William Lancelot Bowles Jr. remarry after divorcing Phylicia Rashad?
There is no public information about Bowles remarrying after his 1975 divorce from Phylicia Rashad. He has maintained such a private life that details about his romantic relationships after the divorce remain unknown. He focused on his dental practice and raising his son.
Q5: What is William Lancelot Bowles Jr.’s relationship with his son today?
While specific details are private, William Lancelot Bowles Jr. reportedly maintains a good relationship with his son. When William III was 16, he moved to New York to live with his father. Both father and son share a preference for privacy and staying out of the public eye, suggesting they have similar values and likely maintain their close bond.
Final Thoughts
William Lancelot Bowles Jr.’s life reminds us that not everyone connected to fame wants the spotlight. He built a respectable career, raised a son, and lived according to his own values. His story might not make headlines, but it represents something important—the quiet dignity of a life well-lived.
In a world obsessed with celebrity and social media validation, Bowles shows there’s another way. You can have meaningful relationships, professional success, and personal fulfillment without ever seeking public attention. His choice to remain private for over 50 years speaks louder than any interview could.
His connection to Phylicia Rashad will always be part of his story, but it doesn’t define him. He defined himself through his work, his character, and his commitment to living life on his own terms. That’s a legacy worth respecting.
