Vivian Banks is a fictional character portrayed by Janet Hubert in the TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
In the first episode they appeared in, titled The Fresh Prince Project (season 1), they were 34 years old.
They appear in 74 episodes out of a total of 148 aired and have accumulated 12043 positive votes.
The character of Vivian Banks is mainly associated with Philip Banks, Ashley Banks and Carlton Banks.
Vivian Banks is also portrayed by Daphne Reid.
Episodes74
The Fresh Prince Project
episode S1.E1 september 1990A streetwise teenager is sent by his mother to live with wealthy relatives in an upper-class California neighborhood, where he must adjust to a new lifestyle.Bang the Drum, Ashley
episode S1.E2 september 1990After Ashley reveals to him that she does not enjoy playing the violin he takes her to and trades her violin in for a drum set. Then reveals that he has already hired Ashley a teacher. Jazz.Clubba Hubba
episode S1.E3 september 1990Will tries to impress a girl's father so he can date her. Mr. Banks, Carlton, and Geoffrey try to teach him how to be a gentleman in a My Fair Lady way.Not with My Pig, You Don't
episode S1.E4 october 1990Philip's parents come to visit for the weekend when he wins a prestigious award. After finding the rehearsed lines of the Banks' to be boring and deciding to kill the story, Will talks to the interviewer telling her embarrassing stories about Philip's past "barnyard life" he heard from Philip's parents.Homeboy, Sweet Homeboy
episode S1.E5 october 1990Will gets a visit from an old pal named Ice Tray, who, to Vivian's and Philip's dismay, warms up to Hilary.Mistaken Identity
episode S1.E6 october 1990While Philip and Vivian go on a trip to Palm Springs in Mr. Furth's helicopter, Will and Carlton drive Furth's car there as well. They get pulled over for "stealing" the car. Hilary babysits Ashley as Geoffrey has the weekend off.Def Poet's Society
episode S1.E7 october 1990Will enters into an after school program, following the girls into a Poetry class he makes up a poem on the spot to impress the girls. After creating a poet, Christina asks to bring the made up poet to Poetry Night. After Jazz doesn't come through with an impostor, Will uses Geoffrey as the fake poet.Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect: Part 1
episode S1.E8 october 1990The family heads to the mall to pick up costumes for Hilary's Halloween Party, while Will and Carlton place a bet to see who can find a date for the party. Philip gets held up at a gadget store. Vivian sing in a Record-A-Song booth. Hilary forgets to take a hat off Ashley and walks out of the store with it, they get accused of theft.Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect: Part 2
episode S1.E9 october 1990Will and Carlton both try to win Melinda over by making up stories about themselves. She ultimately chooses Carlton over Will, though she hides a secret.Kiss My Butler
episode S1.E10 november 1990It is Geoffrey's birthday and Will decides to set him up on a blind date as a gift. Will winds up thinking she is perfect and breaks up the two dancing at a nightclub. Later when Geoffrey comes home, he gives Will Helen's phone number stating she would be more fit for Will.Courting Disaster
episode S1.E11 november 1990Will's talents help him become a basketball star at school, but cause Carlton to begin feeling insignificant and inferior to him.Talking Turkey
episode S1.E12 november 1990Will's taskmaster mother visits for the holidays and puts the kids to work preparing a thanksgiving dinner, but preparations soon go awry.Knowledge Is Power
episode S1.E13 november 1990Hilary rats Will out for several things including getting in at 3 in the morning the previous day in order to get the family car instead of Will. Will plans revenge, while going to find out where Hilary is shopping he learns that she dropped out of college three months ago. Will uses this in order to get Hilary to slave for him while he is punished. Hilary tries to get Carlton to go against Will, but he also uses it against her.Day Damn One
episode S1.E14 december 1990Ashley and her friends ask Will to tell a scary story at their slumber party before they go to sleep. Will tells the tale of his first day at Bel-Air Academy.Deck the Halls
episode S1.E15 december 1990Will realizes that Ashley has never experienced a real Christmas before and goes out of his way to let her have one. He decorates the inside of the mansion and also the outside fully, upsetting some of the neighbors.The Lucky Charm
episode S1.E16 january 1991One of Philip's clients is very superstitious and befriends Will because of a couple of coincidences. He thinks Will is his good luck charm and lets Will make some major decisions.The Ethnic Tip
episode S1.E17 january 1991Will proposes a black history class be instituted at Bel-Air Academy, and gets a surprise when Aunt Viv arrives to teach it.The Young and the Restless
episode S1.E18 january 1991Philip's mother joins the family for the weekend after recovering from a cold, Philip wants her to relax for the weekend but she wants to be more active.It Had to Be You
episode S1.E19 february 1991Jazz asks Will the favor of taking his sister out on a date after she moves into town, Will turns it down until Jazz introduces the two. Will takes her on a date and learns that she has her whole life planned out for the two already.Nice Lady
episode S1.E20 february 1991Geoffrey's old employer Lord Fowler and his daughter come to the Banks' house for the weekend. Will wants to use the car to go to a Ziggy Marley concert in Nevada, Philip and Viv won't let him so he makes a proposition to be on his best behavior for the week. Lady Penelope winds up not being what Will thought she was.Love at First Fight
episode S1.E21 february 1991One of Vivian's students, Kayla Samuels comes over for dinner and Will tries to impress her but fails. It upsets Will that he fails so the next day they have an argument but wind up liking each other. Will starts taking time away from her studies and Aunt Viv tells him to cut back on seeing her so she can have a good future ahead of her. Vivian winds up lecturing Kayla and revealing things about her struggle to be successful.Banks Shot
episode S1.E22 february 1991Vivian goes away to Berkeley for the weekend, leaving Hilary in charge of the house while Philip is at the office. Will steals the car keys to go to the pool hall he winds up losing his money and the car to a hustler. Philip goes down to the pool hall to claim the money back, playing the hustler.72 Hours
episode S1.E23 march 1991Will makes a bet that Carlton wouldn't last a weekend in Jazz' neighborhood, Compton. Carlton starts to fulfill the bet, by not only fitting in, but getting along with the guys in "The Hood". Will has to find a way to stop him from going to MacArthur Park at night, to "Hang with the crew".Just Infatuation
episode S1.E24 april 1991Ashley's birthday is nearing and when the family asks her what she would like for her birthday shows a picture of a boy, Little T. Hilary knows T's agent so she has him come to Ashley's birthday party to perform a song for her. They hit it off and set up a date for the next day. Will and Carlton disagree with the date, so they decide to follow them on their date.Working It Out
episode S1.E25 may 1991Hilary lands a new job as an assistant to an actress, Marissa Redman. Ms. Redman turns out to be completely bossy. Will surprises Hilary with Jazz in the office and Marissa takes a liking to Will, wanting to bring him to a restaurant opening, she puts Hilary's job on the line if she can't set the date up. Will will only do it if Hilary goes on a date with Jazz.Did the Earth Move for You?
episode S2.E1 september 1991Phil and Vivian feel that Will and his new girlfriend are moving too fast.The Mother of All Battles
episode S2.E2 september 1991Will and Carlton try to help solve Ashley's bully problems at school until Philip and Vivian find out and try to solve the problem their own way.Will Gets a Job
episode S2.E3 september 1991Will gets a job to help pay for his prom.PSAT Pstory
episode S2.E4 september 1991Will and Carlton take the PSATs with surprising results, while Geoffrey is up for his annual raise.Granny Gets Busy
episode S2.E5 october 1991Philip gets upset when he sees his mother spending time with a new man. The kids bet each other that they can't do something the other sex would normally do.Guess Who's Coming to Marry?
episode S2.E6 october 1991Much to their surprise, the family learns that Vivian's sister is engaged to a white man.The Big Four-Oh
episode S2.E7 october 1991Vivian has a mid-life crisis after her 40th birthday party and decides to become a dancer.She Ain't Heavy
episode S2.E8 november 1991Will has a blind date and likes the girl, Dee Dee, a lot, but her weight is an obstacle to him when it comes to asking her for the school dance.Cased Up
episode S2.E9 november 1991Will drives without car insurance, and faces the consequences.Hi-Ho Silver
episode S2.E10 november 1991Will and Carlton think that the famous actress Sonya Lamor has stolen Vivian's silverware.The Butler Did It
episode S2.E11 november 1991Philip and Vivian take a weekend vacation and leave the kids home alone, Hilary and Carlton set up a video shoot with Bell Biv De Voe in their house, and then everyone must rush to clean up after Philip and Vivian decide to come home early.Something for Nothing
episode S2.E12 december 1991Will gets lucky at a fundraiser and wins some money. When Will doesn't follow the club's tradition, it starts rumors about the Banks family. Ashley is too young to go to the fundraiser, so she and Geoffrey set up their own poker night.Christmas Show
episode S2.E13 december 1991Will finds out that his mom is seeing a new man while on a holiday skiing trip to Utah. When the adults go out to the lodge for the Christmas party, a knock on the door brings the kids trouble.Hilary Gets a Life
episode S2.E14 january 1992Philip and Vivian force Hilary to get a job after going over the family's credit card bills.My Brother's Keeper
episode S2.E15 january 1992Will has a game coming up with Malibu Prep in which a scout will be in the crowd. He meets a player from the other team. After learning that Marcus has a child Will must choose between being greedy or realizing what the scholarship would mean to Marcus.Geoffrey Cleans Up
episode S2.E16 january 1992Geoffrey falls for the woman next door while thinking she is a butler. When he finds out she is just visiting and is worth 25 million dollars he must decide whether he wants to continue seeing her, or not.Community Action
episode S2.E17 february 1992Jazz stays at the Banks house when he has no place to go. Hilary must do community service at the clinic after going to court for parking tickets. While there she meets a doctor.Ill Will
episode S2.E18 february 1992Will has to go to the doctor for a tonsillectomy. While he's there we find out that Will is afraid of hospitals. The Banks' learn that Geoffrey is writing his memoirs on the family.Eyes on the Prize
episode S2.E19 february 1992Philip tries to work on repairing things in the house. Will goes on a game show and he must decide which of his friends will be his partner.Those Were the Days
episode S2.E20 february 1992When an old friend comes to town, Phil and Vivian have to decide between friendship and the law.Vying for Attention
episode S2.E21 march 1992Will's mom comes to visit with her new boyfriend and Will has problems with sharing his mom with another man.The Aunt Who Came to Dinner
episode S2.E22 march 1992Will and Carlton set up dates with two French women visiting L.A. Their parents are supposed to be going away for the weekend, but when Will's aunt shows up unexpectedly, everyone's plans change.Be My Baby Tonight
episode S2.E23 april 1992Will is stunned when Ashley asks him a question about the birds and the bees.Striptease for Two
episode S2.E24 may 1992Vivian trusts Wil and Carlton to take her heirloom bracelet to the jewelry shop to have it reset. Before they do that, Carlton tells Wil about a hot insider tip he got on a company's stock, and they can make thousands. They don't have the money to buy the stock, but the boys figure the appraised value of the bracelet will easily cover its cost. So, they take it to the pawn shop and sell it, then buy the stock. That night, they watch a news report where the company has announced bankruptcy. Uh oh - now not only have the two lost money on a bad tip, they don't have any money to buy back Vivian's bracelet. The two scramble for ways to raise the $500 needed to buy back the bracelet ... and decide the best option is to take jobs as male strippers. When they accept the job, they are told they will be the main entertainment at a party for a socially elite organization - unknowing that Hillary and Vivian are among the guests. Carlton is making loads of money with his sensuous routine, and the girls are begging him to take it off - then Vivian walks in and demands, "Put it on!" At home, Wil and Carlton now have no choice but to explain everything. The entire story makes Phil extremely furious, and he tells the boys in no uncertain terms to do whatever it takes to get the bracelet back, or they will be arrested on federal charges. At the pawn shop, they find themselves at odds with a customer who wants to buy the bracelet ... and Carlton is backed into a corner when, after asking what he has to do to get the bracelet back, the rotund, ugly owner makes a suggestion.How I Spent My Summer Vacation
episode S3.E1 september 1992Will returns from his summer vacation in Philly with his mom. He brings back with him a new style and it rubs off on Ashley. Phil kicks Will out.Will Gets Committed
episode S3.E2 september 1992Vivian and Philip clean up their old neighborhood and everyone in the family has to pitch in. Vivian acts strange all day, and she finally tells Philip the reason - she is pregnant.That's No Lady, That's My Cousin
episode S3.E3 september 1992Philip and Vivian tell the family they are expecting a baby. Hillary is expected to move out to make room for the baby. Ashley wants to fit in at a new school so she dresses like the girls Will is interested in.Hilary Gets a Job
episode S3.E4 october 1992Hilary gets a job as a weather girl.Mama's Baby, Carlton's Maybe
episode S3.E5 october 1992The love of Carlton's life (Voorhies) surprises him with a bundle of joy---a son.P.S. I Love You
episode S3.E6 october 1992A plain girl at school starts giving Will expensive gifts; Will pretends to like her because he likes the gifts. Philip enters the political race to become a judge, running against his mentor.Here Comes the Judge
episode S3.E7 october 1992Will gets arrested for numerous outstanding parking tickets.Boyz in the Woods
episode S3.E8 november 1992In order to spent time with them before they go off to college, Phil takes Will and Carlton camping and things go terribly wrong.A Night at the Oprah
episode S3.E9 november 1992The Oprah Show personnel contact Philip Banks to appear on the show with his family. The Banks travel to Chicago and Will is ecstatic. Unfortunately, he is not invited to be part of the show.Asses to Ashes
episode S3.E10 november 1992Philip loses the judge election, and Judge Robertson and Will have words. Judge Robertson dies after the argument. Philip gets appointed Judge.A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from the Forum
episode S3.E11 november 1992When Philip backs out of taking Vivian to Lamaze class, Will reluctantly offers to be her coach. Will meets a single pregnant woman who is a sportswriter. She invites Will to attend a game with her, where she goes into labor.The Cold War
episode S3.E12 december 1992Carlton is upset when Paula breaks up with him. She then pursues Will and they begin to date. After getting the picture of an ultrasound from the doctor, Philip & Vivian ask Geoffrey to hide it so they do not find the sex of the baby.Mommy Nearest
episode S3.E13 december 1992Will's mother is in town after a broken engagement with Robert. She tells Will that after he graduates from high school, he can move back to Philadelphia. Will wants to stay in California for college.Winner Takes Off
episode S3.E14 january 1993In an attempt to get back at Geoffrey, Will and Carlton give him a fake lottery ticket and trick him into thinking he won $26,000,000. As a response, Geoffrey quits and the boys must convince him to come back.Robbing the Banks
episode S3.E15 january 1993Philip hires an ex-convict as a handyman, and the Banks house is robbed, but who did it?Bundle of Joy
episode S3.E16 january 1993The family gets ready for the baby, and Ashley is jealous.The Best Laid Plans
episode S3.E17 february 1993Will wants to take the next step in his relationship with his current girl Monique, but she has old fashioned ideas about sex before marriage. Will and Jazz set up a fake wedding. Monique, thinking they are married, is willing to consummate their marriage, saying that Will is a good and honest man. Will Will follow through on the devious plan, or will he come clean and tell the truth?The Alma Matter
episode S3.E18 february 1993Princeton University starts talking to students at Will & Carlton's school about admissions to the university. Will is accepted, but Carlton is not. At night, Carlton has a vision of his guardian angel - Tom Jones.Just Say Yo
episode S3.E19 february 1993Will is run down with work, school, and his girlfriend, and has trouble staying awake. He decides to take amphetamines to help him. Carlton asks will for vitamins and Will accidentally gives him the uppers. Carlton ends up in the hospital.The Baby Comes Out
episode S3.E20 february 1993The baby is a week overdue and the whole family comes to console her. With Vivian finally having the baby and only Ashley and the injured Geoffrey in the house, how will Vivian get to the hospital?You Bet Your Life
episode S3.E21 march 1993Will and Carlton decide to look at a possible college for Will. On the drive, they decide to stop in a casino in Las Vegas. At the casino, they get noticed by heavyweight boxing champ Riddick Bowe.Ain't No Business Like Show Business
episode S3.E22 april 1993Will's friend Keith, a comedian from Philadelphia, visits Will and the Banks family. His sense of humor tickles Will's funny bone, causing Will to think that a career in comedy might work for him, too. Meanwhile, Vivian is away and Phillip demands the attention of his children in her absence.The Way We Were
episode S3.E23 may 1993Philip and Vivian are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and the others put together a scrapbook. This is a flashback show with clips from the previous seasons as the scrapbook is put together.Six Degrees of Graduation
episode S3.E24 may 1993It's time for graduation and Will is failing in his music course. His teacher will give him a passing grade if he sings at the graduation ceremony - with 12 year olds.I, Whoops, There It Is
episode S6.E19 april 1996The episode features bloopers from the past seasons of filming the series, and Dick Clark steps in to help Will showcase the bloopers. Will interviews the actors that appear in the series.
- The Fresh Prince Project
- Bang the Drum, Ashley
- Clubba Hubba
- Not with My Pig, You Don't
- Homeboy, Sweet Homeboy
- Mistaken Identity
- Def Poet's Society
- Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect: Part 1
- Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect: Part 2
- Kiss My Butler
- Courting Disaster
- Talking Turkey
- Knowledge Is Power
- Day Damn One
- Deck the Halls
- The Lucky Charm
- The Ethnic Tip
- The Young and the Restless
- It Had to Be You
- Nice Lady
- Love at First Fight
- Banks Shot
- 72 Hours
- Just Infatuation
- Working It Out
- Did the Earth Move for You?
- The Mother of All Battles
- Will Gets a Job
- PSAT Pstory
- Granny Gets Busy
- Guess Who's Coming to Marry?
- The Big Four-Oh
- She Ain't Heavy
- Cased Up
- Hi-Ho Silver
- The Butler Did It
- Something for Nothing
- Christmas Show
- Hilary Gets a Life
- My Brother's Keeper
- Geoffrey Cleans Up
- Community Action
- Ill Will
- Eyes on the Prize
- Those Were the Days
- Vying for Attention
- The Aunt Who Came to Dinner
- Be My Baby Tonight
- Striptease for Two
- How I Spent My Summer Vacation
- Will Gets Committed
- That's No Lady, That's My Cousin
- Hilary Gets a Job
- Mama's Baby, Carlton's Maybe
- P.S. I Love You
- Here Comes the Judge
- Boyz in the Woods
- A Night at the Oprah
- Asses to Ashes
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from the Forum
- The Cold War
- Mommy Nearest
- Winner Takes Off
- Robbing the Banks
- Bundle of Joy
- The Best Laid Plans
- The Alma Matter
- Just Say Yo
- The Baby Comes Out
- You Bet Your Life
- Ain't No Business Like Show Business
- The Way We Were
- Six Degrees of Graduation
- I, Whoops, There It Is
Best moments10
- Vivian has a mid-life crisis after her 40th birthday party and decides to become a dancer.
- Will proposes a black history class be instituted at Bel-Air Academy, and gets a surprise when Aunt Viv arrives to teach it.
- The baby is a week overdue and the whole family comes to console her. With Vivian finally having the baby and only Ashley and the injured Geoffrey in the house, how will Vivian get to the hospital?
- The family heads to the mall to pick up costumes for Hilary's Halloween Party, while Will and Carlton place a bet to see who can find a date for the party. Philip gets held up at a gadget store. Vivian sing in a Record-A-Song booth. Hilary forgets to take a hat off Ashley and walks out of the store with it, they get accused of theft.
- Vivian and Philip clean up their old neighborhood and everyone in the family has to pitch in. Vivian acts strange all day, and she finally tells Philip the reason - she is pregnant.
- One of Vivian's students, Kayla Samuels comes over for dinner and Will tries to impress her but fails. It upsets Will that he fails so the next day they have an argument but wind up liking each other. Will starts taking time away from her studies and Aunt Viv tells him to cut back on seeing her so she can have a good future ahead of her. Vivian winds up lecturing Kayla and revealing things about her struggle to be successful.
- Philip gets upset when he sees his mother spending time with a new man. The kids bet each other that they can't do something the other sex would normally do.
- Will and Carlton think that the famous actress Sonya Lamor has stolen Vivian's silverware.
- When Philip backs out of taking Vivian to Lamaze class, Will reluctantly offers to be her coach. Will meets a single pregnant woman who is a sportswriter. She invites Will to attend a game with her, where she goes into labor.
- Philip and Vivian are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and the others put together a scrapbook. This is a flashback show with clips from the previous seasons as the scrapbook is put together.
- The Big Four-Oh
- The Ethnic Tip
- The Baby Comes Out
- Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect: Part 1
- Will Gets Committed
- Love at First Fight
- Granny Gets Busy
- Hi-Ho Silver
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from the Forum
- The Way We Were