The Cosby Show

At the beginning of the pilot, Sondra, the Huxtables' eldest daughter, was added as an afterthought. However, when Clair Huxtable mentions the couple's four children, they decide to add another child to represent the results of a good upbringing. The casting came down to 26-year-old Sabrina Le Beauf and 21-year-old Whitney Houston. LeBeauf was too old for the role, only ten years younger than Phylicia Rashad. However, Houston refused to sign a contract committing her to the show as she wanted to pursue her singing career. This forced the producer's hand, and LeBeauf was given the role of Sondra.