Remember Rudy's Friend Kenny from 'Cosby Show'? Sources Claim He Was Diagnosed with Cancer at 23

Any fan of “The Cosby Show” will remember Kenny, Rudy Huxtable’s first “boyfriend” who warmed his way into our hearts with his antics, but that little boy is now a grown man that has overcome several battles with cancer.

After his first appearance in 1986, Deon Richmond went on to nail his role as Kenny (aka Bud) in 32 episodes before the sitcom’s finale in 1992.

Despite being a secondary character, Richmond transformed Kenny into a memorable part of the show, and today, the storyline of Rudy (played by Keshia Knight Pulliam) is incomplete without her best “bud.”

Before “Cosby,” Richmond appeared in a 1985 music video for Kool & the Gang’s song, “Cherish” and when “Cosby” came to an end in 1992, he had no trouble putting his talent to work in other productions.

Richmond featured in another music video in 1992, after which he landed the role of Darren Dixon in the 90s sitcom “Getting By.” The actor co-starred with Merlin Santana whom he earlier worked with on “The Cosby Show.”

By 1997, Richmond began playing the role of Jordan Bennett, the boyfriend of Tamera Campbell on the hit series “Sister, Sister.”

Richmond also worked for a while as a professional broadcaster in the 90s, hosting talk shows on some Dallas radio stations and he also voiced several big commercials.

He beat the disease after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, but one year later it was back.

The former child actor would later feature in films like 1999’s “Trippin’,” “Scream 3” in 2000, and “Not Another Teen Movie” in 2001.

That same year, Richmond was reportedly diagnosed with colon cancer at the young age of 23. He beat the disease after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, but one year later it was back.

The actor reportedly beat colon cancer a second time, only to be diagnosed with male breast cancer in March 2003, according to Black Doctor.

Again, Richmond underwent surgery and became cancer-free, but the disease and procedure left him with major health complications that made it difficult to work at the same pace he did before. Because of his experience, Richmond became a relentless advocate for early detection.

Despite his health challenges, the NYC-born actor has appeared post-2003 in several TV series and films like “Hatchet,” “Teachers,” “It's a Mall World,” and “Psych.”

Not much is known about his relationships, but Richmond has twin daughters, Lilac and Leone, born in 2009.