Raven Symone’s Parents: Remembering Her Late Father from That’s So Raven

Raven Symone, the renowned actress known for her role in Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven, recently shared the devastating news regarding the passing of her father, Christopher B. Pearman, just months after the loss of her younger brother, Blaize Pearman.

The talented actress posted a nostalgic childhood photo honoring her late father, expressing sincere gratitude for the support he provided in shaping her career path.

Born on December 10, 1985, to Lydia Gaulden and Christopher Pearman, Raven’s family has always been instrumental in her pursuit of acting. In a June 2010 interview with NPR, Christopher Pearman recounted that Raven showed interest in acting as early as two years old.

He reflected, “I saw the seriousness in her eyes and then gave her the understanding [of] what it would take, and she agreed to what it would take.”

Pearman promptly took Raven to a talent agency in Atlanta, which signed her that very day.

Raven Symone rose to fame as a child star on The Cosby Show before landing the lead role in That’s So Raven, all while managing to evade much of the negative attention often faced by young celebrities. During a 2014 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Symone credited her parents for instilling in her the value of privacy, which helped her stay out of tabloid scandals.

Raven Symone’s Family Legacy

Gaulden and Pearman are the proud parents of Raven Symone and her younger brother, Blaize Pearman, who was born six years later. In a May 2023 interview on the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast, Raven disclosed that her brother didn’t pursue a career in the industry like she did but served as a production assistant behind the scenes.

Christopher Pearman enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the media sector. After attending Georgia State University, he made his mark in public relations, advertising, and Atlanta’s nightclub scene. Pearman later transitioned to directing and producing, even helming several episodes of That’s So Raven.

In addition to his career, Pearman wrote the motivational book Dream So Big: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Child Believe and Achieve and served as a motivational speaker.

In the early days of her career, Pearman managed Raven, later stepping aside to allow her to take full control of her professional journey.

“She got to a point, you know, she said, ‘Daddy, I can run my own company. I can run my own thing,’”Pearman shared during his NPR interview.

On October 1, 2024, Raven Symone heartbreakingly announced her father’s passing through an Instagram post that featured a touching childhood photograph of them together.

She wrote, “My life has been long and abundant. And the path I’m on started with a dream. Hope he is watching with a smile on his face… 🕊️#christopherbpearman.”

While the That’s So Raven star did not provide specific details about her father’s death, she confirmed the sad news in response to a follower’s inquiry.

The post received overwhelming love and support from fans and fellow celebrities. Actor Kenan Thompson expressed his condolences, stating, “Condolences to you and your family!!! Sending love!!!!”Kimberly J. Brown, another Disney Channel alum who recently faced a similar loss, shared her sympathies:

“I’m so sorry I just lost my dad too. Sending you love and prayers.”

Christopher Pearman’s passing follows closely after the death of Raven’s brother, Blaize, who succumbed to colon cancer in December 2023 after a two-year battle. Raven confirmed her brother’s death on Instagram shortly after her birthday, candidly reflecting on her mixed emotions:

“It was a little bittersweet for me to be honest because last month I lost my brother, Blaize. He was battling colon cancer for about two years, and he is in a better place now.”

During the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast, when inquired about her parents’ relationship status, Raven replied, “We don’t talk about personal business.”She acknowledged the complexity of her relationship with her parents while emphasizing their crucial role in her upbringing.

Raven Symone also highlighted how her parents educated her on financial management. Despite her significant earnings as a child star, Raven has lived modestly, thanks to her parents instilling the importance of saving for the future.

“My parents didn’t really come from money,”she pointed out, “so I learned how to save.”

As of 2024, Raven remains actively engaged in the entertainment industry, co-hosting The View and reprising her iconic role in the That’s So Raven spinoff, Raven Symone’s Home.

Source