Who is Nicolle 'Nicole Leach' Rochelle? Naked actress who protested at Cosby trial

July 2024 · 6 minute read

The Bill Cosby sexual assault retrial has drawn a lot of media attention as of late. But few could’ve foreseen the shocking incident that unfolded Monday morning.

Nicolle Rochelle, an actress who appeared on several episodes of The Cosby Show in the early 1990s and who's also believed to be a Femen activist, staged a protest against Cosby while completely topless, jumping over a barricade outside the Norristown, Pennsylvania courthouse where the trial was taking place and running towards Cosby’s direction. Also known as Nicole Leach, she was quickly detained and placed into local police custody, but not before creating a surprising and chaotic scene as Cosby’s sexual assault trial gets underway once again.

But just who is Nicolle Rochelle? What is her relationship with Bill Cosby? Here’s all you need to know about her, her role on The Cosby Show, recent protest at Cosby’s trial and filmography.

Actress Nicolle Rochelle staged a topless protest against Bill Cosby at his sexual assault retrial

Actress Nicolle Rochelle staged a topless protest against Bill Cosby at his sexual assault retrial

Who is Nicolle Rochelle?

Nicolle Rochelle is an actress who appeared on The Cosby Show for several episodes from 1990 to 1992. More recently she garnered media attention after she staged a topless protest at the retrial of Bill Cosby for sexual assault in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Also known as Nicole Leach, she was born on May 10, 1979 in Livingston, New Jersey.

Getting her start as a child actress, she first appeared on the children’s television program Shining Time Station from 1989 to 1991. She later appeared on The Cosby Show for four episodes from 1990 to 1992, playing the role of Danielle, one of the friends of Bill Cosby’s onscreen daughter Rudy.

Ok i put a filter even though it was so unneccessary! Lol pic.twitter.com/nwzK3nQxpy

— Nicolle Rochelle (@DeuxLDeuxAiles) December 2, 2015

Afterwards, Rochelle appeared in TV shows such as Clarissa Explains It All in 1993, NYPD Blue in 1996, Chappelle’s Show in 2006 and several episodes of the long-running Law & Order franchise. In addition, she’s also appeared in several Off-Broadway theater productions in New York City, including Henry V in 2003 and Fame on 42nd Street in 2004. Her last role was that of Josy in the TV miniseries La maison des Rocheville in 2010.

How old is Nicolle Rochelle?

Nicolle Rochelle is 38 years old.

She was born on May 10, 1979. 

Who is Nicolle Rochelle’s husband?

Nicolle Rochelle is currently believed to be single, according to Who’s Dated Who.

Nicolle Rochelle on The Cosby Show

Rochelle appeared on four episodes of The Cosby Show as a child from 1990 to 1992. She played the role of Danielle, a friend of Dr. Cliff Huxtable’s youngest daughter Rudy, played by Keshia Knight Pulliam.

Rochelle, left, appeared on The Cosby Show as Danielle from 1990 to 1992 for four episodes 

Rochelle, left, appeared on The Cosby Show as Danielle from 1990 to 1992 for four episodes 

Bill Cosby trial protest

Rochelle garnered international media attention after staging a topless protest against Bill Cosby at the site of his sexual assault retrial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

According to reports, Rochelle, topless and covered in phrases like ‘Cosby Rapist’ and ‘Women’s Live Matter,’ jumped across a police barricade and threw herself towards Bill Cosby as the actor and comedian was making his way towards the courthouse for his sexual assault retrial.

Rochelle was quickly apprehended and placed into police custody, later being charged with disorderly conduct. The incident reportedly left Cosby unphased as he continued on towards the courthouse. Cosby has been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting more than 40 women over a span of roughly 40 years.

Rochelle was taken into police custody and charged with disorderly conduct on April 9, 2018

Rochelle was taken into police custody and charged with disorderly conduct on April 9, 2018

Nicolle Rochelle filmography

Aside from her brief appearance on The Cosby Show in the early 1990s, Rochelle also has an extensive filmography that dates back to 1989.

She first appeared in 23 episodes for Shining Time Station, a children’s TV show, from 1989 to 1991. She also made appearances on The Baby-Sitters Club from 1990 to 1993, Clarissa Explains It All in 1993, NYPD Blue and Swift Justice in 1996 and Chappelle’s Show in 2006. She also made several appearances in the Law & Order franchise going as far back as 1996. 

What is Femen? 

Femen are a group of women who protest against sexual assault and in favor of women's rights while topless. 

The origins of the group date back to 2008 in Ukraine, when they were established by a group of young feminists as a way to agitate for women's rights in a provocative way that overtly uses sexuality. 

The group has generated much controversy as to whether they should be taken seriously or merely frivolously and as to whether their media-catching tactics are even effective. To date, they've staged a number of protests worldwide over the past decade, targeting everything they believe represents the oppression of women, including the Vatican, the World Economic Forum and the government of Tunisia. 

#FEMEN activist faced Bill Cosby as he walked into a suburban Philadelphia courthouse Monday for the start of his sexual assault retrial. Her body was covered with the names of the victims. We demand to convict #Cosby the Rapist! #BillCosby #BillCosby #metoo   #timesup  #femen pic.twitter.com/TAFDxbADVT

— FEMEN (@FEMEN_Movement) April 9, 2018

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