Keshia Knight Pulliam Secretly Marries Former NFL Player Ed Hartwell

Keshia Knight Pulliam is starting the New Year as a married woman. Just weeks after announcing her engagement, the former child star, best known for her role as Rudy Huxtable on the '80s sitcom "The Cosby Show," married former football player Ed Hartwell.

The 36-year-old actress revealed the exciting announcement via her Instagram on Friday posting a photo of her and her new hubby sharing a kiss on their big day, with the caption, "The most AMAZING day of our life!!!" Pulliam added the hashtag, "#IAmOfficiallyMrsHartwell."

The actress and Spelman College grad spilled details about the surprise nuptials on her "Kandidly Keshia" podcast, explaining that her family and friends had no idea they were attending a wedding.

"It was my dream," she gushed. "We did it literally in our living room in our home. We come from large family. I'm one of four, Ed is one of six. We invited people. They had no clue they were coming to a wedding. They thought they were coming to a New Year's party."

The ceremony was officiated by ordained minister Raymond Coleman, and as for her wedding decor, Pulliam said, "I love flowers. For me that was my biggest thing. I just want to be surrounded by flowers. That's something I do in our household regularly. We always have fresh flowers in the house. There's something about it. That's so inviting, so warm, so welcoming. It's kind of like a show of love."

Hartwell, who joined his wife on the podcast, called his special day a "dream come true," adding, "I'm happy every day. I thank God every day. No matter what I go through, I thank him every day that I get to wake up next to such a beautiful angel that he sent into my life."

"It's not until you find 'the one' do you feel the difference than any other relationship," Pulliam shared. "I encourage people to live their lives and to enjoy every moment and to not be so caught up capturing the perfect picture that you're not enjoying the biggest gift and that's the present."

On New Year's Day, Pulliam shared a shot of her diamond engagement ring, leaving many believing she was announcing her engagement instead of her wedding, the Daily Mail noted. This is the first marriage for Pulliam. Hartwell was previously married to "Real Housewives Of Atlanta" alum Lisa Wu from 2006 until 2011, and they have an 8-year-old son together.

Tags

The Cosby Show, Bill Cosby