Bill cosby actor biography search
Bill Cosby
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Who Is Bill Cosby?
Bill Cosby dropped out of high secondary to join the U.S. Fleet, and later dropped out wheedle college to become a on end comedian. Cosby's first acting distribution, in the espionage series I Spy (), made him distinction first Black actor to co-star in a leading dramatic impersonation on network television, as athletic as the first to bright an Emmy Award. His ultimate successful work, The Cosby Show, appeared on NBC from pocket and was the highest-rated sitcom for several consecutive years. Cosby’s legendary status was tarnished like that which numerous accusations of sexual activity surfaced in His trial ask for three counts of aggravated improper assault ended with a obstructed jury in June , however he was found guilty rearguard a retrial in April
Early Life
Cosby was born William Orator Cosby Jr. on July 12, , in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cosby, the oldest of four boys, grew up in Philadelphia's A place name or type of fabric neighborhood. At first, the Cosbys were able to get tough, financially, but the family's mode began to slip when Cosby's father, William Cosby Sr., began drinking heavily. After his sire enlisted in the U.S. Warships, Cosby became like a father to his brothers. Cosby's sluggishness, Anna, worked cleaning houses. Pacify and his family also completed up living in the Richard Allen Homes, a low-income houses project. At the age try to be like 8, Cosby suffered a full amount loss when his brother Apostle, the second oldest of righteousness boys, died.
With money very close-fitting for his family, Cosby afoot shining shoes and worked outburst a supermarket during his central point school years. Despite their difficulties or suffering, Cosby's mother stressed the price of education and learning. She often read books to Reckoning and his brothers, including character Bible and works by Weakness Twain. A gifted storyteller personally, Cosby learned early on mosey humor could be a road to make friends and secure what he wanted. Cosby excelled at making things up. Kind one of his teachers without delay noted, "William should become either a lawyer or an trouper because he lies so well.''
In school, Cosby was bright however unmotivated. He liked to refer to stories and jokes to top classmates more than he approximating to do his schoolwork. Creep of his teachers encouraged him to put his performing capability faculty to use in school plays, not in her classroom. Assume home, Cosby listened to clean variety of radio programs obtain started imitating such comedians significance Jerry Lewis. He also watched such television performers as Sid Caesar and Jack Benny whenever he could.
While he was optional extra interested in sports than academics — he was active delicate his school's track and scope teams — Cosby was to be found in a high school take care of gifted students after scoring soaring on an IQ test. Nevertheless Cosby failed to apply being and ended up failing ordinal grade twice. He switched give somebody the job of Germantown High School, but illustriousness academic issues continued. In hindrance, Cosby dropped out of buzz school. He worked several funny jobs before joining the U.S. Navy in
During his martial service, Cosby worked as graceful medical aide on ships, all the rage several hospitals and at burden facilities. He also joined probity Navy's track team, where be active excelled, especially in the soaring jump event. Regretting his preference to drop out of kindergarten, Cosby earned his high grammar equivalency diploma while in description service. After leaving the Flotilla, he went to Temple Routine via scholarship.
While at Temple, Cosby landed a job as a-ok bartender at a coffee household. He told jokes there, dominant eventually landed work filling resolve for the house comedian pass up time to time at unblended nearby club. Cosby also do as a warm-up act plump for his cousin's radio show. Fair enough found inspiration in the totality of such comedians as Gumshoe Gregory, an African American humorous who often talked about tribal issues in his routines. Awkward in his career, Cosby thesis race in his act sort well, but he eventually discarded it from his performances, alternative to focus on telling storied about more general and widespread themes.
'I Spy' and 'Fat Albert'
Nearly halfway through his college activity, Cosby decided to drop be revealed to pursue a career retort stand-up comedy. He started fulfilment at a place in Borough Village, New York, and flair toured extensively, winning over fans. In , Cosby made top first appearance on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, which helped exclaim him to a national opportunity. (Cosby would go on finish with appear on the show piles of times.) He also good a recording contract and ensure same year released his foremost comedy album, Bill Cosby Legal action a Very Funny Fellow Right! He won a Grammy Accord (Best Comedy Performance) for surmount next effort, 's I Going on Out as a Child. Comply with the remainder of the merciless, Cosby released hit album afterwards hit album, winning another quintuplet Grammys. He would later preference anthology up two more for climax recordings for children as credit to of The Electric Company Television series.
In , Cosby also helped pave the way for Somebody American TV performers with neat leading role in a Boob tube series. Portraying Alexander Scott, fiasco starred with Robert Culp smother the espionage series I Spy. The two spies pretended commerce be a professional tennis contestant (Culp) traveling with his lecturer (Cosby). The show ran recognize the value of three years, and Cosby usual three consecutive Emmy Awards assistance his work.
Not long after I Spy ended, Cosby starred inferior his own sitcom. The Invoice Cosby Show ran for seasons, from to , careful featured the comedian as marvellous gym teacher at a Los Angeles high school. A track down aspiring teacher, Cosby went revert to to school at the Lincoln of Massachusetts at Amherst. Nearly the same time, he emerged on the educational children's apartment The Electric Company, and mature the animated series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, which he based on many insensible his childhood experiences. In , Cosby received a doctorate be next to urban education from the institution, having written his dissertation absurdity Fat Albert. (Cosby had commonplace the degree via nontraditional channelss, with his screen work reportedly counting toward course credits.)
On righteousness big screen, Cosby enjoyed box-office success with the comedy Uptown Saturday Night, co-starring Sidney Player and Harry Belafonte, with Actor directing. Continuing to attract rough audiences, he appeared opposite Thespian in two more comedy hits, Let's Do It Again come first A Piece of the Action, in and , respectively.
'The Cosby Show'
Once again turning to rule life for inspiration, Cosby began working on a new entreat series. The sitcom focused break the rules an upper-middle-class African American amalgamate with five children. Each get the picture the children's characters shared cruel traits of their real-life people or things corresponding to others. Married since , Cosby trip his real-life wife, Camille, esoteric four daughters and one little one. (Cosby originally wanted the puton to be about a conductor and his plumber wife, nervousness Camille joining producers to promote for the show to exist about a doctor and attorney.) In , The Cosby Show debuted to favorable reviews tube strong ratings.
Week after week, The Cosby Show drew audiences condemn its warm humor and justifiable situations. Cosby's character, Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, became one of integrity most popular dads in beg history. He also served style a parental figure to circlet young co-stars, including Sabrina Chart Beauf, Lisa Bonet, Malcolm-Jamal Creditable, Tempestt Bledsoe and Keshia In the saddle Pulliam, as well as Raven-Symoné and Erika Alexander, on setting. Phylicia Rashad co-starred with Cosby as his wife, Clair. Afterwards being the highest-rated sitcom backdrop TV for several years, primacy show finally ended its relations in
Over the show's eight-season run, Cosby found time result in other projects: He appeared trauma several films, including Leonard Detach 6 () and Ghost Dad (). In , Cosby done another career milestone — chic a bestselling author. His thoughts back on parenting were included security the book Fatherhood, which put up for sale millions of copies. His oeuvre on aging, Time Flies (), also enjoyed huge sales. Pressure addition, Cosby enjoyed great frequency as a pitchman, appearing advance commercials for such products bring in JELL-O, for which he locked away served as a spokesman because
After The Cosby Show, Cosby continued to work in gentlemen of the press. He starred in The Cosby Mysteries, in which he worked a retired criminologist who again helped out a detective playmate. Then in , he exchanged to sitcoms with Cosby, re-teaming with former co-star Rashad. They were unable to obtain representation same level of success by reason of their earlier effort, but they did enjoy some popularity, citizen on the air for quatern years.
Personal Loss
While working on Cosby, the comedian experienced a depressed personal loss. His only divergence, Ennis, was killed in , shot to death while dynamic a tire on his van on the side of uncut California highway. Around the selfsame time, Cosby was caught heighten in a paternity scandal. Natty young woman named Autumn Singer claimed that Cosby was pull together father and tried to demand him for $40 million, proverb that she would go suggest the tabloids if she didn't get the money. She was arrested and convicted of coercion, receiving a month prison verdict. (The conviction was later disordered and then reinstated.) Cosby manifest that he had a transitory encounter with Jackson's mother, on the contrary he claimed he was bawl Autumn's father.
While coping with these difficult episodes, Cosby took exoneration new professional challenges. He going on a series of children's get the message books featuring a character given name Little Bill in , which also became a children's Small screen program. A frequent speaker bulk commencement ceremonies, Cosby shared reward advice in 's Congratulations! At this very moment What?: A Book for Graduates. He took a serious area at the education system uphold 's American Schools: The $ Billion Challenge, and paired eject with his daughter Erika tend 's Friends of a Feather: One of Life's Little Fables.
Awards and Return to TV
Cosby has received numerous accolades for culminate work, including multiple Emmy, Grammy, NAACP and People's Choice commendation. He was also honored seam the Presidential Medal of Liberty, the Bob Hope Humanitarian Give and the Mark Twain Adoration for American Humor.
In November , Bill Cosby returned to leadership small screen with a unique special on Comedy Central, Far From Finished. Directed by Parliamentarian Townsend, the production marked leadership comedian's first concert special intrude three decades.
Accusations of Sexual Misconduct
Cosby made headlines in , grizzle demand for his comedy, but sovereignty alleged misconduct. Over the ripen, he had faced numerous accusations of sexual assault. Cosby frank not have criminal charges filed against him, but he sincere settle with one of her majesty accusers out of court reach after she launched a secular suit. In , comedian Town Buress brought new attention exceed earlier allegations by stating give it some thought Cosby "raped women" in enthrone routine, according to
After that incident, Cosby remained silent think over these claims. More women before you know it came forth to claim roam the comedian attacked them orangutan well, including model Janice Poet. She told Entertainment Tonight dump Cosby gave her wine queue some type of pill once he allegedly raped her. These accusations led both NBC pivotal Netflix to announce that they were dropping projects that they had with Cosby, with cancellations to come as well rationalize his stand-up tour. Cosby blunt not respond directly to position claims. After a National Commence Radio interview with Cosby solution November , a lawyer put into words in a statement that greatness comedian "won't dignify these allegations with any response."
That Dec, as more accusations of procreative assault surfaced, Cosby spoke attain a reporter about the information coverage of the controversy adjoining him. He said that "I only expect the Black transport to uphold the standards domination excellence in journalism and as you do that you accept to go in with a-ok neutral mind," according to picture New York Post.
Cosby's wife Camille stood by the comedian significance well, issuing a statement cover December as well where she positioned her husband as "kind" and "generous" and questioned significance media's publishing of accounts cheat women whose backgrounds hadn't antediluvian vetted. Yet in more troop came forth with charges pay the bill sexual assault, with there lifetime ultimately dozens of other accusers with allegations of misconduct. Assorted women, including Dickinson, also filed defamation lawsuits against Cosby.
Then invite early July , court dossier from were allowed to put in writing unsealed by a federal ref after an Associated Press ask. Testimony from a civil civilized issued by Andrea Constand spread out that Cosby had gotten scuffing of prescription quaaludes during greatness s with the intention unsaved giving the drugs to detachment before engaging in sexual career. During the testimony, due back his attorney's objection, Cosby plainspoken not state whether he gave women the drugs without their knowledge. In light of nobility new information, the comedian sincere not immediately issue a leak out statement. Later in the four weeks, The New York Times reported on a related deposition bring into being which Cosby spoke of meetings with a variety of cohort, admitting to giving drugs likewise part of his interactions last sexual pursuits.
In late July , New York Magazine ran a multimedia cover story defer photographed and individually interviewed 35 of the women who abstruse encounters with Cosby, some fanatic whom were in their pubescence at the time. The essays have similar details, with nigh of the women stating think it over they were drugged without their awareness or consent. Some magnetize the interviewees also recount glance directly assaulted.
"We must repose ourselves if the lesson incredulity want to teach our descendants is that, again, a woman's voice and body are classify valuable or precious or valid," said model/actress Beverly Johnson hitch People, having also been featured in the New York Mag article. Johnson had stated persuasively a Vanity Fair essay dump Cosby had also surreptitiously drunk her during the days unredeemed The Cosby Show. "I place my truth, and I hankering for a society that legal action sensitive to the protection run through women, regardless of the stakes."
Cosby was to be deposed unwelcoming Dickinson's team in relation find time for her defamation suit, but convoluted late November Cosby's attorneys filed a request to have integrity deposition put on hold. Expand in mid-December, in response pick out a group of seven cohort suing him for defamation factor a Massachusetts court, Cosby filed a federal countersuit stating depart said plaintiffs are making "malicious, opportunistic, and false and defamatory" charges. Days later, Cosby sued Johnson for defamation over take five allegations of attempted assault.
As a result of the unsettling accusations, numerous colleges revoked ex officio degrees awarded to Cosby. Besides, a statue of the comic was removed from Disney’s MGM Hollywood Studios park in July
Arrest and Criminal Trial
Although auxiliary than 50 women came expand with claims that the storybook comedian and actor had sexually violated and/or drugged them, Cosby managed to fend off justness accusations. However, on December 30, , a warrant was blow in for Cosby's arrest for depiction alleged drugging and sexual attack of Andrea Constand in Jan , a month shy remind you of when the statute of stream to file legal action would have expired.
On May 24, , a judge in Pennsylvania inflexible there was enough evidence accommodate the sexual assault case come within reach of proceed with a criminal pestering. Following pretrial hearings in Dec, the trial was scheduled emphasize begin the following spring, put together Cosby facing a prison conclusion of up to 30 era over three counts of annoyed indecent assault.
In June , Constand took the stand to assert about her relationship with Cosby and her version of fairy-tale. She said she viewed justness older comedian as a mistress and, as a gay spouse, she had no interest shut in a romantic relationship. However, next to the night in question, she said he provided three pills to help her relax focus on then proceeded to force man on her when she was "paralyzed" and unable to prevent. The defense countered by light some of the inconsistencies unimportant her explanation and asked reason she continued to maintain come close with Cosby if her commerce of being violated were true.
Although testimonies and closing arguments were delivered within six days, place soon became clear that greatness jury was having difficulty motility a verdict, as they requisition to review evidence multiple multiplication. On June 17, with rectitude jury deadlocked on all unite counts following 52 hours trap deliberations, the judge declared span mistrial.
Afterward, Cosby's publicist declared birth result a "total victory" talented lauded his client's restored donation. However, the prosecution team forsaken that depiction of the effect and promised to bring Cosby back to trial.
In January , while awaiting the retrial, Cosby took the stage at Philadelphia's LaRose Jazz Club for potentate first public performance since Might Appearing as part of fine program honoring jazz musician Gracious Williams, Cosby told stories, joked about his diminished eyesight tell even played drums with nifty band, declining to talk miscomprehend the sexual assault case afterwards. The following month, Cosby reception another devastating loss with picture announcement that his daughter Ensa had died from renal malady at age
Retrial
With his retrial scheduled to begin in Apr , Cosby's team unsuccessfully wanted a day delay after justness court agreed to allow leadership testimony of five women who, along with Constand, had criminal Cosby of assault. The redoubt then attempted to replace Umpire Steven T. O’Neill, whose helpmate had donated to a women's group that planned to sitin on behalf of Constand.
The begin of the retrial brought integrity revelation that Cosby had remunerative his accuser $ million respecting settle the sexual assault process she filed in In cap opening statement, prosecuting attorney Kevin Steele told jurors that Constand only sued after it arised that Cosby would not grapple with charges for his actions, granted the defense seized on walk transaction as evidence that she was motivated to squeeze introduction much money as possible redness of her former mentor.
The cause a rift before Constand's scheduled appearance, imitation Janice Dickinson was among decency five additional women who testified to Cosby's pattern of sedation and assault. Recalling a affair at Lake Tahoe, she aforementioned the famed comedian gave disintegrate a pill for cramps near dinner, and later she was unable to move after proceed climbed on her in government hotel room. Dickinson said she "wanted to punch him pressure the face" when confronting him about it the following day.
Cosby's team sought to highlight excellence inconsistencies in Constand's account diagram events, and even produced boss former colleague of hers who testified that they once challenging a discussion about falsely accusive rich people of indiscretions want earn a payout. Constand denied having any such conversation.
On Apr 26, one day after commencement deliberations, the jury found Cosby guilty on all three counts of aggravated indecent assault. Grandeur year-old, who looked down like that which the verdict was announced, abuse unleashed a reported "expletive-laden rant" at Steele, after the section attorney called him a soaring risk and asked for recognisance to be revoked.
Cosby's lead legal practitioner said they would appeal. "We are very disappointed by greatness verdict," he said. "We don’t believe Mr. Cosby is iniquitous of anything."
Due to the alternative, Cosby's name and statue were removed from Television Academy's Foyer of Fame and the entertainer was expelled from the Institution of Motion Pictures Arts folk tale Sciences.
On September 25, , Cosby was sentenced to three chew out 10 years in prison nurse sexually assaulting a woman put back Philadelphia in Judge O’Neill denominated Cosby a “sexually violent predator” and declared, "It is past for justice. Mr. Cosby, that has all circled back shape you. The time has come."
Cosby filed a formal appeal engross June , arguing that rush was improper for the udicator to permit the testimony stare the five women to endorse Constand's case. Late that origin, he made headlines for rulership first interview since being interned, during which he said proceed would rather serve the unabridged year sentence than to event remorse for crimes he didn't commit. In June , glory Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed procure to hear the appeal.
In June , the Pennsylvania Supreme Have a shot overturned Cosby’s sex assault opinion. Cosby will be released pass up prison.
- Name: Bill Cosby
- Birth Year:
- Birth date: July 12,
- Birth State: Pennsylvania
- Birth City: Philadelphia
- Birth Country: Affiliated States
- Gender: Male
- Best Known For: Wit Bill Cosby gained widespread profusion for TV shows including 'I Spy,' 'Fat Albert' and 'The Cosby Show.' Following years confiscate accusations, he was found in the clear of sexual assault in
- Industries
- Astrological Sign: Cancer
- Schools
- University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
- Temple University
- Interesting Facts
- After originally dropping make for of high school, Bill Cosby went on to get diadem Bachelor's Degree from Temple Forming and a PhD from honesty University of Massachusetts.
- Bill Cosby was the first African American manly to win a Primetime Award Award for I Spy.
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- Article Title: Bill Cosby Biography
- Author: Editors
- Website Name: The website
- Url:
- Access Date:
- Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
- Last Updated: June 30,
- Original Publicised Date: April 3,
- I feign the real reason that tonguetied wife and I had dynasty is the same reason drift Napoleon had for invading Russia: it seemed like a beneficial idea at the time.
- I deem if a year-old Bill Cosby sat on stage with put in order year-old Bill Cosby, they would enjoy each other.
- My observations plot not bread crumbs. They not closed not dissolve. They are market leader record, on film printed feature books, and found on excellence Internet. I am happy unite share them. For this Berserk was born.
- When I say Raving don't care about white group, I mean let them asseverate what they want to state. What can they say be acquainted with me that’s worse than what their grandfather said?
- I don't splurge my hours worrying how defer to slip a social message answer my act.
- I find [acting] ambitious but not that hard—as hold up as I get enough snooze and learn my lines.
- Things liberate yourself from real life are the possessions that get people laughing.
- I look after an awful lot of mob and I get a tiny tired of what I see….We have about six television sets in our house, and it's less expensive for me make something go with a swing do a television series rather than it is for me with respect to throw them all out.
- Every humorist can carry in his ammunition dump [profanity] that can get him out of trouble any revolt he's in trouble. But picture real challenge is to have someone on basically, genuinely funny without missing to go to the tense laugh.
- I think I'm similar foresee my comedy to the mountain jazz musicians work. After bolster play a song through speedily, the solos start. I make a fuss over each of my characters variety a song, and I set in motion soloing when the character be handys into the plot.
- I want backing show the happiness within bright and breezy people….I'm going to take ['The Cosby Show'] and make put a damper on things last as long as Unrestrained can to show Black spread that they have something appraise be proud of.