Bill Cosby

Name: Bill Cosby
Date of Birth: July 12, 1937
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Mini-bio: William H. Cosby Jr. was born on July 12th, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and for over thirty years, he has been one of the world's most respected and well-known entertainers and comedians.
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After tenth grade, Cosby joined the Navy and completed high school through a correspondence course. He later attended Temple University on an athletics scholarship, supporting himself during his studies by tending bar, where his easy-going style and witty joking with the clientèle prompted suggestions that he try stand-up comedy. This he did and was soon to be discovered by the legendary Carl Reiner.

In his early twenties he appeared on many well-known variety programs including "The Ed Sullivan Show" . His big break came in 1965 when he appeared as Alexander Scott in "I Spy" (1965), winning numerous Emmys for his performance. He starred in "The Bill Cosby Show" (1969) and was the creator of a Filmation cartoon based on many of his high school buddies - "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" (1972). The theme was humorous but also focused on Cosby's more educational side.

He studied for many years during his career in the 1960s and 1970s, and received a doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts. Cosby also starred in some highly successful movies such as Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let's Do It Again (1975), A Piece of the Action (1977), Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976), and California Suite (1978). During his early years he also made some comedy albums that sold very well; his most notable comedy song being "Little Old Man." He was one of the original cast members of "The Electric Company" (1971), and he was featured in the series "Pinwheel" (1979) during the late 1970s and then appeared in the mediocre The Devil and Max Devlin (1981).

"The Cosby Show" (1984) was originally rejected by ABC, accepted by a then-floundering NBC, and was an almost instant success. From 1985 to 1987 the show broke viewing records, with Cosby becoming perhaps the strongest driving force in television during the eighties. The Cosby Show finally ended in 1992, conceding to "The Simpsons" (1989), with the final production considered to be one of the highest-rated shows of the season and featured a pleading Cosby asking for peace in riot-torn Los Angeles during the height of the Rodney King riots. Cosby never seemed able to top the success of the Cosby Show; his film Leonard Part 6 (1987) was considered to be one of the worst American films in history and may have contributed in part to his downfall as a film actor, along with his performance in Ghost Dad (1990). He did attempt a minor comeback in 1996 starring in the Robin Williams film Jack (1996), which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola; and in another show, "Cosby" (1996), (starring Phylicia Rashad, who appeared as his wife in the previous Cosby Show). Since then he has produced films such as Men of Honor (2000), and shows including "Little Bill" (1999).

Sadly, his son Ennis was murdered in 1997. Throughout the years, Bill Cosby has taken a socially conscious tone, often associated with family values, coupled with a distinctly urban spin on his style. He will go down in entertainment history as one of the most successful and most respected entertainers in the world.

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Bill Cosby mini-bio: William H. Cosby Jr. was born on July 12th, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and for over thirty years, he has been one of the world's most respected and well-known entertainers and comedians.

After tenth grade, Cosby joined the Navy and completed high school through a correspondence course. He later attended Temple University on an athletics scholarship, supporting himself during his studies by tending bar, where his easy-going style and witty joking with the clientèle prompted suggestions that he try stand-up comedy. This he did and was soon to be discovered by the legendary Carl Reiner.

In his early twenties he appeared on many well-known variety programs including "The Ed Sullivan Show" . His big break came in 1965 when he appeared as Alexander Scott in "I Spy" (1965), winning numerous Emmys for his performance. He starred in "The Bill Cosby Show" (1969) and was the creator of a Filmation cartoon based on many of his high school buddies - "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" (1972). The theme was humorous but also focused on Cosby's more educational side.

He studied for many years during his career in the 1960s and 1970s, and received a doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts. Cosby also starred in some highly successful movies such as Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let's Do It Again (1975), A Piece of the Action (1977), Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976), and California Suite (1978). During his early years he also made some comedy albums that sold very well; his most notable comedy song being "Little Old Man." He was one of the original cast members of "The Electric Company" (1971), and he was featured in the series "Pinwheel" (1979) during the late 1970s and then appeared in the mediocre The Devil and Max Devlin (1981).

"The Cosby Show" (1984) was originally rejected by ABC, accepted by a then-floundering NBC, and was an almost instant success. From 1985 to 1987 the show broke viewing records, with Cosby becoming perhaps the strongest driving force in television during the eighties. The Cosby Show finally ended in 1992, conceding to "The Simpsons" (1989), with the final production considered to be one of the highest-rated shows of the season and featured a pleading Cosby asking for peace in riot-torn Los Angeles during the height of the Rodney King riots. Cosby never seemed able to top the success of the Cosby Show; his film Leonard Part 6 (1987) was considered to be one of the worst American films in history and may have contributed in part to his downfall as a film actor, along with his performance in Ghost Dad (1990). He did attempt a minor comeback in 1996 starring in the Robin Williams film Jack (1996), which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola; and in another show, "Cosby" (1996), (starring Phylicia Rashad, who appeared as his wife in the previous Cosby Show). Since then he has produced films such as Men of Honor (2000), and shows including "Little Bill" (1999).

Sadly, his son Ennis was murdered in 1997. Throughout the years, Bill Cosby has taken a socially conscious tone, often associated with family values, coupled with a distinctly urban spin on his style. He will go down in entertainment history as one of the most successful and most respected entertainers in the world.

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Last update: Aug 12 2008, 11:24 PM EDT by ed (content history | content tools) (help)

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IRONMANBLAST

The Best There ever was or will be True Style And Grace.

posted 405 days ago
butterflykisses20062

Hope you had a great Labor Day .. tc Bill

posted 670 days ago
lilmiztaz1

hi i love u so much nd my grandma watchs ur flims every single day when she has time

posted 693 days ago
butterflykisses20062

Happy Father's Day .. Bill Cosby

posted 749 days ago
butterflykisses20062

Wow Bill, you know your one hard person to contact with. When I was in 7th grade in the early 80's.. I have tried to send you a few letters to you from school .. At the time all the students were supost to write to your favorite actor or actoress ( which was part of our grade). So when I wrote you those few time .. I kept geting my letters back that said return to sender .. The address the teacher gave was when your were prob. living in Chicago, IL I think. The letter was about how I injoy watching the cosby show and ect. everyday. You have expire me then you know.. THANKS BILL. HUGS

posted 757 days ago
pigtweety

Hey Bill how are you so hiariouse, especially in The Cosby Show?

posted 801 days ago
courtjester138

Mr. Cosby is one of my favorite people in all of entertainment. I grew up listening to his stories. His show was pretty good but her really shined in his many stand up routines. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to attend one of his performances when he was in town. I hope he comes back to Louisville soon.

posted 884 days ago
dancer1325

BILL COSBY ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted 971 days ago