Bill Cosby - Details

Biography

Executive producer BILL COSBY tells the story that he did not realize the value of a formal education until after the first four days of boot camp in the U.S. Navy. Upon completion of his service, he enrolled at Temple University, where his dedication to education and his beginnings as a foremost American humorist took root.

Today, Cosby continues to mix entertainment and education in fun and imaginative ways. His critically acclaimed animated television series Little Bill (based on the best-selling children's series) shares important life-lessons with young children. The series airs on Nickelodeon and CBS, starting this fall. Cosby continues his success in the publishing world with Congratulations! Now What? a best seller on life after college. In 1998, Cosby received the Kennedy Center Honors for his lifelong contributions to American culture.

His early appearances on the nightclub circuit catapulted him into his starring role with Robert Culp on "I Spy," an instant smash hit that broke the racial barrier of television and earned Cosby three Emmy Awards. The l984-92 run of "The Cosby Show" resurrected the moribund sitcom genre, propelled NBC to first place and earned nearly unanimous critical praise for its positive portrayal of a strong, close-knit, parent-dominated family that happened to be African-American. More recently, Cosby was seen in the CBS series "Cosby" (1996-2000) and "Kids Say the Darndest Things" (1997-2000).

Cosby's feature films include his debut in "Man and Boy," "Hickey and Boggs" with Robert Culp, "Uptown Saturday Night" with Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte and its sequel "Let's Do It Again," "Mother, Jugs and Speed" with Raquel Welch, "A Piece of the Action," again with Poitier, "California Suite," and "Jack," with Robin Williams.

In l986, he broke Radio City Music Hall's 53-year attendance record for his concert appearance. His best-selling book Fatherhood became one of the fastest-selling hardcovers of all time. He followed this with Time Flies, which had the largest single first printing in history, 1.75 million copies. Love and Marriage and Childhood continued the thematic tradition. Cosby has had 21 albums on the national pop charts, which have earned him eight Gold Record, five Platinum Records and five Grammy® Awards.

Events

  • 12th July 1937 - Birth