7.3
/10
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.

Vivian Banks

by Janet Hubert

character

Episodes74

  • 7.9
    /10

    The Fresh Prince Project

    episode S1.E1 september 1990
    A 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.
  • 7.5
    /10

    Bang the Drum, Ashley

    episode S1.E2 september 1990
    After 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.
  • 7.3
    /10

    Clubba Hubba

    episode S1.E3 september 1990
    Will 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.
  • 7.7
    /10

    Not with My Pig, You Don't

    episode S1.E4 october 1990
    Philip'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.
  • 7.6
    /10

    Homeboy, Sweet Homeboy

    episode S1.E5 october 1990
    Will gets a visit from an old pal named Ice Tray, who, to Vivian's and Philip's dismay, warms up to Hilary.
  • 8.5
    /10

    Mistaken Identity

    episode S1.E6 october 1990
    While 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.
  • 7.5
    /10

    Def Poet's Society

    episode S1.E7 october 1990
    Will 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.
  • 6.3
    /10
    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.
  • 6.6
    /10
    Will 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.
  • 7.3
    /10

    Kiss My Butler

    episode S1.E10 november 1990
    It 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.
  • 7.7
    /10

    Courting Disaster

    episode S1.E11 november 1990
    Will's talents help him become a basketball star at school, but cause Carlton to begin feeling insignificant and inferior to him.
  • 7.3
    /10

    Talking Turkey

    episode S1.E12 november 1990
    Will's taskmaster mother visits for the holidays and puts the kids to work preparing a thanksgiving dinner, but preparations soon go awry.
  • 8
    /10

    Knowledge Is Power

    episode S1.E13 november 1990
    Hilary 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.
  • 7.1
    /10

    Day Damn One

    episode S1.E14 december 1990
    Ashley 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.
  • 7.4
    /10

    Deck the Halls

    episode S1.E15 december 1990
    Will 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.
  • 7.5
    /10

    The Lucky Charm

    episode S1.E16 january 1991
    One 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.
  • 7.4
    /10

    The Ethnic Tip

    episode S1.E17 january 1991
    Will proposes a black history class be instituted at Bel-Air Academy, and gets a surprise when Aunt Viv arrives to teach it.
  • 7.4
    /10

    The Young and the Restless

    episode S1.E18 january 1991
    Philip'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.
  • 7.8
    /10

    It Had to Be You

    episode S1.E19 february 1991
    Jazz 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.
  • 7.3
    /10

    Nice Lady

    episode S1.E20 february 1991
    Geoffrey'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.
  • 7.3
    /10

    Love at First Fight

    episode S1.E21 february 1991
    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.
  • 8.1
    /10

    Banks Shot

    episode S1.E22 february 1991
    Vivian 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.
  • 8.1
    /10

    72 Hours

    episode S1.E23 march 1991
    Will 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".
  • 7.4
    /10

    Just Infatuation

    episode S1.E24 april 1991
    Ashley'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.
  • 7.2
    /10

    Working It Out

    episode S1.E25 may 1991
    Hilary 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.
  • 7.5
    /10

    Did the Earth Move for You?

    episode S2.E1 september 1991
    Phil and Vivian feel that Will and his new girlfriend are moving too fast.
  • 7.5
    /10

    The Mother of All Battles

    episode S2.E2 september 1991
    Will 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.
  • 7.8
    /10

    Will Gets a Job

    episode S2.E3 september 1991
    Will gets a job to help pay for his prom.
  • 7.5
    /10

    PSAT Pstory

    episode S2.E4 september 1991
    Will and Carlton take the PSATs with surprising results, while Geoffrey is up for his annual raise.
  • 7.2
    /10

    Granny Gets Busy

    episode S2.E5 october 1991
    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.
  • 7.6
    /10

    Guess Who's Coming to Marry?

    episode S2.E6 october 1991
    Much to their surprise, the family learns that Vivian's sister is engaged to a white man.
  • 7.3
    /10

    The Big Four-Oh

    episode S2.E7 october 1991
    Vivian has a mid-life crisis after her 40th birthday party and decides to become a dancer.
  • 7.6
    /10

    She Ain't Heavy

    episode S2.E8 november 1991
    Will 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.
  • 7.7
    /10

    Cased Up

    episode S2.E9 november 1991
    Will drives without car insurance, and faces the consequences.
  • 7.1
    /10

    Hi-Ho Silver

    episode S2.E10 november 1991
    Will and Carlton think that the famous actress Sonya Lamor has stolen Vivian's silverware.
  • 7.8
    /10

    The Butler Did It

    episode S2.E11 november 1991
    Philip 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.
  • 7.2
    /10

    Something for Nothing

    episode S2.E12 december 1991
    Will 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.
  • 7.5
    /10

    Christmas Show

    episode S2.E13 december 1991
    Will 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.
  • 7.3
    /10

    Hilary Gets a Life

    episode S2.E14 january 1992
    Philip and Vivian force Hilary to get a job after going over the family's credit card bills.
  • 7.6
    /10

    My Brother's Keeper

    episode S2.E15 january 1992
    Will 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.
  • 7.4
    /10

    Geoffrey Cleans Up

    episode S2.E16 january 1992
    Geoffrey 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.
  • 7.4
    /10

    Community Action

    episode S2.E17 february 1992
    Jazz 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.
  • 7.4
    /10

    Ill Will

    episode S2.E18 february 1992
    Will 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.
  • 7.5
    /10

    Eyes on the Prize

    episode S2.E19 february 1992
    Philip 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.
  • 7.2
    /10

    Those Were the Days

    episode S2.E20 february 1992
    When an old friend comes to town, Phil and Vivian have to decide between friendship and the law.
  • 7.3
    /10

    Vying for Attention

    episode S2.E21 march 1992
    Will's mom comes to visit with her new boyfriend and Will has problems with sharing his mom with another man.
  • 7.2
    /10

    The Aunt Who Came to Dinner

    episode S2.E22 march 1992
    Will 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.
  • 7.4
    /10

    Be My Baby Tonight

    episode S2.E23 april 1992
    Will is stunned when Ashley asks him a question about the birds and the bees.
  • 8.2
    /10

    Striptease for Two

    episode S2.E24 may 1992
    Vivian 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.
  • 7.4
    /10

    How I Spent My Summer Vacation

    episode S3.E1 september 1992
    Will 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.
  • 7.3
    /10

    Will Gets Committed

    episode S3.E2 september 1992
    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.
  • 7.6
    /10

    That's No Lady, That's My Cousin

    episode S3.E3 september 1992
    Philip 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.
  • 7.4
    /10

    Hilary Gets a Job

    episode S3.E4 october 1992
    Hilary gets a job as a weather girl.
  • 7.6
    /10

    Mama's Baby, Carlton's Maybe

    episode S3.E5 october 1992
    The love of Carlton's life (Voorhies) surprises him with a bundle of joy---a son.
  • 7.3
    /10

    P.S. I Love You

    episode S3.E6 october 1992
    A 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.
  • 7.2
    /10

    Here Comes the Judge

    episode S3.E7 october 1992
    Will gets arrested for numerous outstanding parking tickets.
  • 8
    /10

    Boyz in the Woods

    episode S3.E8 november 1992
    In order to spent time with them before they go off to college, Phil takes Will and Carlton camping and things go terribly wrong.
  • 7.7
    /10

    A Night at the Oprah

    episode S3.E9 november 1992
    The 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.
  • 7.5
    /10

    Asses to Ashes

    episode S3.E10 november 1992
    Philip loses the judge election, and Judge Robertson and Will have words. Judge Robertson dies after the argument. Philip gets appointed Judge.
  • 7.5
    /10
    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.
  • 7.3
    /10

    The Cold War

    episode S3.E12 december 1992
    Carlton 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.
  • 7
    /10

    Mommy Nearest

    episode S3.E13 december 1992
    Will'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.
  • 8.1
    /10

    Winner Takes Off

    episode S3.E14 january 1993
    In 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.
  • 7.7
    /10

    Robbing the Banks

    episode S3.E15 january 1993
    Philip hires an ex-convict as a handyman, and the Banks house is robbed, but who did it?
  • 6.9
    /10

    Bundle of Joy

    episode S3.E16 january 1993
    The family gets ready for the baby, and Ashley is jealous.
  • 7.1
    /10

    The Best Laid Plans

    episode S3.E17 february 1993
    Will 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?
  • 7.9
    /10

    The Alma Matter

    episode S3.E18 february 1993
    Princeton 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.
  • 8.8
    /10

    Just Say Yo

    episode S3.E19 february 1993
    Will 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.
  • 7.5
    /10

    The Baby Comes Out

    episode S3.E20 february 1993
    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?
  • 7.3
    /10

    You Bet Your Life

    episode S3.E21 march 1993
    Will 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.
  • 7.4
    /10

    Ain't No Business Like Show Business

    episode S3.E22 april 1993
    Will'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.
  • 6.3
    /10

    The Way We Were

    episode S3.E23 may 1993
    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.
  • 7.7
    /10

    Six Degrees of Graduation

    episode S3.E24 may 1993
    It'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.
  • 7.3
    /10

    I, Whoops, There It Is

    episode S6.E19 april 1996
    The 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.

Best moments10

  • 7.3
    /10
    81% of the votes

    The Big Four-Oh

    episode S2.E7 october 1991
    Vivian has a mid-life crisis after her 40th birthday party and decides to become a dancer.
  • 7.4
    /10
    57% of the votes

    The Ethnic Tip

    episode S1.E17 january 1991
    Will proposes a black history class be instituted at Bel-Air Academy, and gets a surprise when Aunt Viv arrives to teach it.
  • 7.5
    /10
    32% of the votes

    The Baby Comes Out

    episode S3.E20 february 1993
    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?
  • 6.3
    /10
    28% of the votes

    Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect: Part 1

    episode S1.E8 october 1990
    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.
  • 7.3
    /10
    17% of the votes

    Will Gets Committed

    episode S3.E2 september 1992
    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.
  • 7.3
    /10
    17% of the votes

    Love at First Fight

    episode S1.E21 february 1991
    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.
  • 7.2
    /10
    12% of the votes

    Granny Gets Busy

    episode S2.E5 october 1991
    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.
  • 7.1
    /10
    10% of the votes

    Hi-Ho Silver

    episode S2.E10 november 1991
    Will and Carlton think that the famous actress Sonya Lamor has stolen Vivian's silverware.
  • 7.5
    /10
    7% of the votes

    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from the Forum

    episode S3.E11 november 1992
    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.
  • 6.3
    /10
    5% of the votes

    The Way We Were

    episode S3.E23 may 1993
    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.

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