Bill Cosby Biography

Bill Cosby, as he’s more illustriously known, was born William Henry Cosby Jr. on July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A well-respected comedian and entertainer, Bill Cosby began a long-lasting career after trying stand-up comedy while attending Temple University on an athletic scholarship.

His wit, combined with the endearing facial expressions only he can muster, has made him a legend in comedy. Bill Cosby’s career accomplishments range from comedy albums and stand-up performances to acting, writing, and producing. He got his start in television with a role on the 1960s action series I Spy, and remained a predominant force in television for decades following. He created, produced, and hosted the animated show Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, which aired on CBS in 1972 and lasted twelve years.

Bill Cosby lent his voice talents to many of the characters in the series and also worked with Herbie Hancock to create the music for the series.  Having the golden touch, Bill Cosby’s next success came with the prime time television sitcom The Cosby Show, a series that he simultaneously produced and starred in as Heathcliff Huxtable. Co-starring in the show were Phylicia Rashad as his wife, and Keisha Knight Pulliam, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe, and Lisa Bonet as his children. Raven (Symone) of That's So Raven also entered the cast in 1989.

The Cosby Show was arguably the most viewed television series in the 1980s and enjoyed a run of eight seasons on NBC until it succumbed to the unbeatable competition of the animated series, The Simpsons, in 1992. Though Bill Cosby has not recreated the success of The Cosby Show on television, he has created and produced other shows since including the animated children’s series Little Bill. Bill Cosby has also made his mark on entertainment history with his award-winning albums and shows. In the late 90s, Cosby was the host of Kids Say the Darndest Things, a show that once featured singing sensation JoJo.

Bill Cosby has many professional achievements he is recognized for, but he is also known for his personal accomplishments. He joined the Navy before finishing high school and subsequently earned his diploma via correspondence. After attending Temple University on an athletic scholarship and supporting himself by bartending, he launched his professional career. He earned a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1976. In addition, Cosby has built a strong family life. He married Camille Olivia Hanks in 1964 and together they had five children. Tragically, Bill Cosby and his wife Camille lost their only son, Ennis, at twenty-seven years of age when he was senselessly shot and killed while he had stopped to fix a flat tire.

Bill Cosby later started a scholarship fund in Ennis’s name at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania.  After decades of performances, recordings, and raising public awareness of urban issues, Bill Cosby retains his respect in the entertainment community and continues to hold live performances on occasion. Loved and admired for his humorous portrayals of family life and his ability to bring public issues to the forefront, Bill Cosby will undoubtedly go down in entertainment history as one of the greatest comedians of all time.

Let us know of updates to the Bill Cosby biography at editor@yuddy.com