Bill Cosby

American actor and comedian

Photo by: NBC Television · Public Domain · Wikimedia Commons

Born:July 12, 1937

Age:89

Zodiac Sign:Cancer

Height:1.85 m (6′1″)

Born in:Philadelphia, United States

Residence:Shelburne, United States

Languages:English

Musician Writer Film Producer Film Director Voice Actor Television Actor Television Producer American Football Player Composer Dub Actor Manufacturer Screenwriter Singer Recording Artist Comedian Actor Film Actor

Links

Wikipedia Official Website IMDb X (Twitter)

Famous For

Notable Work

The Cosby Show

Movies & TV

The Cosby ShowMalcolm XJackCalifornia SuiteGhost Dad

Books

The Black BookLittle Bill

Songs & Albums

Silver Throat: Bill Cosby SingsBill Cosby Sings Hooray for the Salvation Army Band!For Adults OnlyI Started Out as a ChildDisco Bill

Awards

Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2009)Marian Anderson Award (2009)Paul Robeson Award (2006)Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002)Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor (1988)

Bill Cosby

American actor and comedian

Biography

William Henry Cosby Jr. ( KOZ-bee; born July 12, 1937) is an American former comedian, actor, and media personality. Often deemed a trailblazer for African Americans in the entertainment industry, Cosby was well known in the United States for his stand-up comedy routines and television career before achieving global recognition for his portrayal of Cliff Huxtable in the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). Cosby began his career as a stand-up comic at the Hungry I nightclub in San Francisco in 1961, and primarily performed observational comedy in a conversational style. He released LP records of numerous standup specials starting with Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right! (1963) and starred in the comedy film Bill Cosby: Himself (1983). Cosby still holds the record for winning the most Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, with seven wins. His acting career began with a starring role in the NBC secret-agent show I Spy (1965–1968), which broke new ground for African Americans when he made history by winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first black actor to do so. Cosby made his film debut starring in Man and Boy (1971) followed by Hickey & Boggs (1972), Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let's Do It Again (1975), A Piece of the Action (1977), Leonard Part 6 (1987), and Ghost Dad (1990). He produced and starred in a series of television sitcoms such as The Bill Cosby Show (1969–1971), Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–1985) and The Cosby Show (1984–1992) as well as its spin-off A Different World (1987–1993), The Cosby Mysteries (1994–1995), and Cosby (1996–2000). He hosted Kids Say the Darndest Things (1998–2000). During his prolific career he advertised numerous products including the Jell-O ice pop treats Pudding Pop. Over 60 women have accused Cosby of various offenses, including rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, child sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Those allegations gained traction in 2014 after fellow comedian Hannibal Buress mentioned the allegations in a comedy set that went viral. Cosby has maintained his innocence. Reruns of The Cosby Show and other programs featuring Cosby were pulled from syndication. In 2018, he was convicted of aggravated sexual assault against Andrea Constand. He was imprisoned until the conviction was vacated in June 2021 by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on the grounds that Cosby's 5th Amendment and 14th Amendment due process rights had been violated. In 2022, Cosby was found liable for having sexually assaulted Judy Huth when she was 16 years of age, and in 2026 was found liable for sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in Santa Monica in 1972, and made to pay $19 million in damages.

This biography uses content from the Wikipedia article “Bill Cosby”, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Quotes

“If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.”

— Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.

“The weatherman is always right, It's his timing that's off.”

— Id.

“The only thing that you can get into without a lot of trouble is a lot of trouble.”

— id.

Quotes sourced from the Wikiquote article "Bill Cosby", available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Photos

Publicity photo of Bill Cosby from the television program I Spy.

Bill Cosby performing at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, Montana

Title: Capt. Kangaroo, Bill Cosby Creator(s): Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer Date Created/Published: [ca. 1970] Medium: 1 photograph : color transparency ; 35mm (slide format) Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-gtfy-07399 (digital file from original) Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication. For information see "Bernard Gotfryd," (https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/res.592.gotf) Access Advisory: Please use digital image: original slide is kept in cold storage for preservation. Call Number: LC-GB05- 7399 [P&P] Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA Notes: Title from slide mount and other caption information provided by the photographer. Photo agency: Newsweek. Gift; Bernard Gotfryd; 2004; (DLC/PP-2004:032). Subjects: United States--New York (State)--New York. CBS Captain Kangaroo Format: Slides--Color--1970. Part of: Bernard Gotfryd photograph collection (Library of Congress) Bookmark This Record: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2020736940/

WASHINGTON (Feb. 17, 2011) Honorary Chief Hospital Corpsman Bill Cosby delivers remarks during his pinning ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)

Bill Cosby Reminds Us That We Can All Be Scientists - Note no precise date given, most likely circa 1990. - Public service announcement by the National Science Foundation. Screenshot from video.

Bill Cosby at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and Girard College while promoting his latest book at the time, I Didn’t Ask to be Born, But I’m Glad I Was.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 15, 2010) Lanier Phillips, left, Bill Cosby and Ed LeBaron pose for a picture before receiving the Lone Sailor Award at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The Lone Sailor award is presented to sea service veterans who have excelled with distinction in their respective civilian careers while continuing to exemplify the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andrew Meyers/Released)

WASHINGTON (Feb. 17, 2011) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus, right, applauds after the reading of orders making comedian Bill Cosby an honorary chief hospital corpsman during his pinning ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason M. Graham/Released)

WASHINGTON (Feb. 17, 2011) Honorary Chief Hospital Corpsman Bill Cosby stands between Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West, left, and Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus during his pinning ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason M. Graham/Released)

Sen. Coons pitched Dr. Bill Cosby on the American Dream Accounts Act while visiting with him at the Joshua Harvest Church in Wilmington. The goal of the American Dream Accounts Act is to help at-risk kids get to college.