<Tr> <Th> Nationality </Th> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <P> Denise Huxtable Kendall is a fictional character who appears on the American sitcom The Cosby Show (1984--1991), portrayed by actress Lisa Bonet . Denise also stars in the first season of its spin - off sitcom, A Different World (1987). The second - born child of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, Denise is known for her eccentric clothing and free - spirited, rebellious nature, earning her a reputation as the Huxtable family's wild child . Alternating between being a regular and recurring character, Denise appears on the sitcom on - and - off throughout its eight - year run, from its pilot "Theo's Economic Lesson" to the seventh season episode "Cliff and Jake", for a total of 98 episodes, after which Bonet departed for the remainder of the series . </P> <P> Created by comedian Bill Cosby, Denise was originally conceived as the Huxtable's eldest child until older sister Sondra was introduced in the show's second episode to show that her parents had already successfully raised a college - educated daughter . Struggling academically, Denise drops out of college shortly after enrolling at the historically black Hillman College and briefly returns home to explore various career opportunities before traveling to Africa . While there, she meets and marries Lt. Martin Kendall, becoming stepmother to his daughter Olivia . Bonet was quickly cast as Denise because the producers felt that she naturally embodied some of the character's unique characteristics . Based on Cosby's daughter Erinn, the show's creator incorporated real - life experiences from his relationship with his own daughter into Denise's storyline about self - discovery and independence . </P> <P> Bonet had a difficult professional relationship with Cosby while working on The Cosby Show, particularly in regards to her decisions to appear in the controversial film Angel Heart (1987) and subsequently pose nude for various magazines . Although Cosby denies having been opposed to Bonet's career trajectory, he developed A Different World amidst their dispute as a means of providing the actress with a more mature platform to express herself . However, Bonet was soon fired from the spin - off shortly after its first season and temporarily rejoined the cast of The Cosby Show when she became pregnant because Cosby was uncomfortable with the prospect of the sitcom's main character becoming a pregnant teenager . After leaving The Cosby Show for one year to give birth to her child, Bonet returned as a series regular at the beginning of its sixth season until Cosby ultimately fired her due to "creative differences" during season seven . </P>

Who does denise marry on the cosby show