Claire Huxtable
named best TV mom

updated 3:06 p.m. ET May 4, 2004

NEW YORK - Rudy and Theo would be proud: Claire Huxtable, matriarch of “The Cosby Show” clan, was named best TV mom in a new poll released just in time for Mother’s Day.

Played by Phylicia Rashad, Claire Huxtable was the witty, tough mother of five who also worked as a lawyer. Rashad played alongside Bill Cosby’s Cliff Huxtable for 8 years, until the NBC sitcom ended in 1992.

The 55-year-old actress, who’s starring in the Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun” with Sean Combs, also was named “TV mom closest to your own mom in spirit.”

Mrs. Cunningham of “Happy Days,” played by Marion Ross, was second, followed by Marge Simpson of “The Simpsons,” who’s voiced by Julie Kavner.

Results were based on 720 adults who have a living mother or mother-in-law. The margin of error was plus or minus four points.

Opinion Research Corporation conducted the "Sweet on Mom" survey — financed by the makers of Splenda artificial sweetener -—from April 8-11.

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