Alfonso Ribeiro was born on September 21, 1971, in the vibrant city of New York, with his family's roots tracing back to the beautiful islands of Trinidad & Tobago. Despite some rumors suggesting a connection to the Dominican Republic, Ribeiro has explicitly stated in an interview that this is not the case, and his family's heritage remains deeply rooted in Trinidad & Tobago.
Ribeiro's impressive career began with his debut on the PBS show "Oye Ollie," which served as a launching pad for his subsequent starring role in the Broadway musical "The Tap Dance Kid." His remarkable talent caught the attention of the legendary Michael Jackson, who cast him in one of the singer's iconic Pepsi commercials of the decade. As a young prodigy, Ribeiro explored his passion for music, releasing a series of singles, including "Dance Baby," "Not Too Young (To Fall In Love)," "Sneak Away With Me," and "Time Bomb."
At the tender age of 10, Ribeiro landed the role of Ricky Schroder's best friend on the beloved long-running series Silver Spoons, which aired from 1982. After the series concluded, Ribeiro attended California State University at Los Angeles, where he later pursued his passion for acting, taking on the iconic role of Carlton Banks on the popular series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990.
In his free time, Ribeiro is an avid race car driver and resides in Los Angeles, where he participates in celebrity car races, showcasing his skills behind the wheel.