A Different World: Cory Tyler as Terrence Johann Taylor

A different character on A Different World

Cory Tyler joined the cast of the NBC sitcom A Different World in 1990 as Terrence Johann Taylor and remained with the show until it ended in season 6 in 1993. As Terrence, Tyler brought a youthful exuberance and a fresh approach to a cast that was aging, maturing, and graduating.

Jaleesa Vincent (Dawnn Lewis), Whitley Gilbert ( Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne) had graduated and were in the workforce. Darryl Bell (Ron Johnson) remained in school an extra year to take American history, while Freddie Brooks (Cree Summer) and Kim Reese ( Charnelle Brown ) were juniors who were finding their purpose.

Dwayne, Jaleesa, and Ron had been on the sitcom since season one and Freddie and Kim came on board in season two. There were a few new faces in season 3 but the focus remained on the main cast. Terrance seemed to fit right in after he settled down a bit but this took a while. He initially annoyed Whitley so much she referred to him as amoeba breath and asked where the bug spray was because he was bugging her.

Terrance Johann Taylor

Terrence was the son of Colonel Bradford Taylor (Glen Turman) who was the head of the Hillman College math department. Terrance had been living in Germany with his mother and moved back to the States with his dad to further his education. Colonel Taylor was dismissive of his son and often overlooked his potential but Dwayne as his math teacher saw “ T” as a diamond in the rough.

Terrence was running through the dorms in his first episode chasing female upperclassmen which earned him the nickname “Pee Wee” hormone. In the episode If I die beforeI wake Tisha Campbell guest starred as Josie Webb who had been diagnosed with AIDS. When Terrance went to the campus restaurant called The Pit where Josie worked he wore a bandana around his face.

The Pit owner Vernon Gaines ( Lou Myers) told the teen that he looked like the Lone Ranger and was more of a threat to Josie’s Acquired immune Dificency Syndtome than she was to him. Mr. Gaines said Terrance should take his intelligence deficiency syndrome and leave.

During the first episode of season 5 Terrance befriended freshman Lena James (Jada Pinket Smith) and tried to assist her in finding lodging at Hillman. The character matured along the way and seemed to be holding his own and even took up the cause of domestic violence in the season 5 episode Love Taps when Gina was being beaten by a boyfriend.

Terrance Evolves

As students were later discussing Josie’s situation Terrance said to his history class that he was thankful for all the girls in the room who had held out on him which brought laughter from the audience. Tyler had great dance moves that were often showcased on A Different World. He was thin and agile and in several scenes when he fell to the ground he could flip over backward and stand right back up. During a modern dance class, he was jokingly told to be more Alvin Ailey and less M.C. Hammer.

Im season 5 Colonel Taylor and Jaleesa were married which caused adjustments for the teen. Terrance was later on hand when his step mom went into labor. Terrance was the reason Dwayne decided to teach at Hillman and not take a lucrative job with a Japanese firm.

Dwayne had helped young Taylor remain in school when he wanted to drop out. Terrance also became popular with fans because of his shirt which stated The blacker the college the deeper the knowledge. Tyler’s character also decided to become a member of the Muslim faith but realized it was not for him. Terrance embodied the students in the real world who were often undecided about their future path.

Cory Tyler facts

Cory Tyler was born on May 25, 1973 into a showbiz family as he is the son of famous African American ventriloquist/comic Willie Tyler (of Willie Tyler and Lester) . In addition to A Different World, the actor had roles in Moonwalker and Beverly Hills, 90210. In 2008 he married Kuwana Halsey and they divorced in 2016. There is talk of a reboot of A Different World but ardent fans don’t believe beloved characters like Terrance as Tyler portrayed him can ever be replaced.