2024 NAACP Image Awards: Kyla Pratt's Enduring Charm: 7 Memorable Roles from Child Star to Adult Actress
Kyla Pratt is a household name to many who have kept up with her best-known roles. The 37-year-old actress started in the entertainment business in the early ‘90s and hasn’t left our screens since, starring in plenty of sitcoms, movies, and animated classics. Most notably, Pratt’s lasting legacy is thanks to her iconic role in Disney Channel’s “The Proud Family” and its modern reboot “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” which earned her a 2024 NAACP Image Award nomination for “Outstanding Character Voice–Over Performance” on television.
Going from a child star to a successful grown actress is a feat not many achieve, but Pratt wears it as a badge of honor. Check out seven of her most memorable roles that prove why she’s a Hollywood icon.
Doctor Dolittle
Pratt found breakout success by starring as Eddie Murphy’s daughter in the iconic “Dr. Dolittle” franchise, which centered on the titular doctor’s ability to communicate with animals. After starring in the first two films, the actress took over as the main character of the third, fourth, and fifth installments.
Love & Basketball
Pratt’s next big movie role came from starring as a young Monica in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s classic romance “Love & Basketball.” The film’s stacked cast included Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Regina Hall, and Alfre Woodard.
One on One
Another breakthrough moment for Pratt? Her very own sitcom, “One on One,” in which she starred as teenager Breanna Barnes adjusting to living in Baltimore with her single father, Flex Washington (played by Flex Alexander).
The Proud Family
Disney Channel’s “The Proud Family” turned Pratt into one of the most recognizable voices in the animation world. The actress played Penny Proud in the original series and later reprised her role in the reboot, with a third season on the way. She also voiced her character in the franchise’s 2005 TV movie.
Fat Albert
When the animated “Fat Albert” series became a live-action movie in the early 2000s, Pratt starred opposite Kenan Thompson’s titular character as Doris — a high school track star who learns the meaning of friendship from the TV icon after losing her grandfather.
Insecure
Pratt played a special role in the fourth season of HBO’s “Insecure,” which sent nostalgic fans into a frenzy after seeing her share a scene with creator and series star Issa Rae. Her funny character, Dina, scammed Issa after a chance meeting at a sip and paint, making it one of the most memorable moments from the beloved show.
Call Me Kat
Years after her early 2000s reign, Pratt returned to her sitcom roots in Fox’s “Call Me Kat,” which followed the title character (played by Mayim Bialik) as she spent all her savings on opening a cat café. The actress starred in all three seasons before it went off the air.
Watch the NAACP Image Awards live on March 16th on BE at 8/9pm.
