Latter day "Cosby Show" with Raven-Symone. CREDIT :NBC

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

The seminal 1980s sitcom "The Cosby Show" debuted three decades ago this week, a groundbreaking sitcom that highlighted Bill Cosby's fatherly humor and brought an upper-middle class black family to tens of millions of weekly viewers every Thursday night. It was ranked No. 1 for five consecutive seasons and led to a popular spinoff "A Different World." Those were the days when a sitcom could draw 40 million viewers because options were far fewer than there are today. Cable was in its infancy and the broadcast networks still dominated the airwaves.

Many of "The Cosby Show" regulars have Atlanta ties of varying degrees. (Check out our photo gallery of how they look today.) Here are a few:

Keyshia Knight-Pulliam (Rudy Huxtable): Now 35, she continues to act. Her most notable post "Cosby' role was on TBS's Atlanta-based "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" as a reformed con artist. Over the years, she has also appeared on reality shows such as "The Weakest Link," "Fear Factor" and "Splash." She is currently dating V-103 afternoon host Big Tigger.

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 29: (L-R) Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam and Big Tigger attend UrbanDaddy Presents Grey Goose Le Melon Fruit Of Kings at W Atlanta Buckhead on July 29, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images for UrbanDaddy) ATLANTA, GA - JULY 29: (L-R) Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam and Big Tigger attend UrbanDaddy Presents Grey Goose Le Melon Fruit Of Kings at W Atlanta Buckhead on July 29, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images for UrbanDaddy)

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Bill Cosby (Dr. Cliff Huxtable): The legendary comic still does stand-up shows nationwide and stops regularly in Atlanta, most recently last year at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. I have had the honor to talk to him twice: before his Ferst Centre performance in 2011 and his Fox Theatre appearance in 2008. He is 77.

Bill Cosby at the Fox Theatre in 2008. CREDIT: Robb Cohen

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Raven-Symone (Olivia Kendall) - She was born in Atlanta and joined "The Cosby Show" at the tender age of three as the Huxtable's adorable little step grand daughter. She later became a Disney star in 'That's So Raven." She's now a full time student at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. She's 28. As you can see below, she has lost quite a bit of weight in recent years.

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Actress Raven-Symone attends the LOUIS XIII and Outfest Legacy Awards Honoree Reception on November 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Louis XIII) Raven-Symone in 2013. CREDIT: Getty Images

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Phylicia Rashad (Clair Huxtable) - She regularly works with Atlanta director Kenny Leon. They appeared together this past summer at True Colors Theatres in the play "Same Time Next Year." She also co-starred in a Lifetime remake of "Steel Magnolias" in 2012, which was directed by Leon and shot in Atlanta. She's 66.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Phylicia Rashad onstage at BET Honors 2013 at Warner Theatre on January 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET) Phylicia Rashad has performed in several plays in Atlanta and co-starred in 'Steel Magnolias" on Lifetime in 2012. CREDIT: Getty Images

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Malcolm Jamal-Warner (Theo Huxtable) - The actor shot two season of BET's sitcom "Reed Between the Lines" here, though the second season never aired. He has also starred in Joyce Littel's annual Poetry & Passion event a few times, including 2010. He has been a guest character in TNT's 'Major Crimes." He's 44.

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Malcolm-Jamal Warner attends the EMI Post-GRAMMY Party held at The Capitol Tower at Capitol Records Tower on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/Getty Images) Malcolm-Jamal Warner in 2012.

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Lisa Bonet (Denise Huxtable) - She is shooting "The Red Road" on Sundance here in metro Atlanta with her husband and star Jason Momoa. She's 46.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 18: Actress Lisa Bonet arrives at the premiere of Summit Entertainment's "Divergent" at the Regency Bruin Theatre on March 18, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lisa Bonet earlier this year. CREDIT: Getty Images

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho