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Bill Cosby : Biography, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Address, Filmography (Cosby Show)

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Bill Cosby

Docteur Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable in Cosby Show

Photos Bill Cosby Birth name: William Henry Cosby Jr.
Birth date: 1937/07/12 (86 years old)
Birth place : Philadelphie (USA)
Height: 1.85 m

French Traduire

Biography for Bill Cosby

William H. Cosby Jr. was born on July 12th, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and for over thirty years 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 took up an athletics scholarship at Temple, supporting himself during his studies by tending bar, where his easy going style and witty joking with the clientele 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 later appeared in "The Bill Cosby Show" (1969), playing a teacher, although originally the show only lasted for two years. He then created a Hanna-Barbera cartoon based on many of his high school buddies including Weird Harold, Dumb Donald, Mushmouth and others; the show was, of course, "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 sixties and seventies, 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 which sold very well, his most notable comedy song being "Little Old Man". He featured in the series "Pinwheel" (1979) during the late seventies and then appeared in the mediocre The Devil and Max Devlin (1981). In 1984 Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids reached the end of its run, and "The Cosby Show" (1984) commenced. The show was originally intended to follow a blue-collar family, but finally ended up portraying a white-collar family. It 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. Despite this great success he arguably created his own downfall. The Cosby Show led what was considered by many at that time to be the best night of television; the line-up included Night Court, Hill Street Blues, and Family Ties, which followed The Cosby Show. Cosby was dissatisfied with the way minorities were portrayed on television; he produced the TV series "A Different World" (1987), and insisted that this program should follow the Cosby Show, rather than Family Ties. Different World was set in an African- American college, and concentrated on young people and education. Impact was felt on the show immediately; at its peak The Cosby Show logged an estimated 70 million viewers, whereas after the scheduling reshuffle the show lost roughly 1/5 of its massive audience. However, Cosby was still riding high in the early nineties until massive competition from The Simpsons. The Cosby Show finally ended in 1992, conceding to The Simpsons, with the final production considered to be one of the highest rated shows of the season and featured a pleading Bill 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 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), 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.

Coming from a disadvantaged suburb of Philadelphia, Bill Cosby leaves the family home to enter the U.S. Navy. Student at Temple University, he spends all his free time in the cabarets and begins to make a name for himself as a comic. As early as 1963, he participated in the famous Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. The success he harvested allows him to be engaged for a recurring role in the series 'Les Espions'. TV star, he obtained his own program, The Bill Cosby Show. In the 1970s, Bill Cosby obtained a doctorate in education at the University of Massachusetts. The success of the series 'The spies' then makes it known to the world. The sitcom 'Cosby Show' begins in the 80s. The relationship between Doctor Heathcliff Huxable and his children is the center of the show and an inexhaustible source of Gags. Her expressions and her very offbeat way of explaining things in life to her children are very funny. The series brings together millions of viewers every week and has an undeniable sociological impact. Since the series stopped, in the late 90s, Bill Cosby's commitment in favor of the education of young people has been constant. He worked in particular, for the African American Organizations, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) or the United Negro College Fund.

Bill Cosby is an actor, producer, and American television host born July 12, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is known for his role in the television series "The Cosby Show", which was broadcast from 1984 to 1992 and which won numerous prizes. Before becoming an actor, Bill Cosby was a high-level athlete as a half-distance runner and he obtained a diploma in physical education from Temple University.

Photos

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Filmography

Title Role
Cosby (1996) TV Series Hilton Lucas
Jack (1996) Lawrence Woodruff
The Cosby Mysteries (1994) TV Series Guy Hanks
I Spy Returns (1994) (TV) Alexander Scott
The Cosby Mysteries (1994) (TV) Guy Hanks
The Meteor Man (1993) Marvin
Sinbad and Friends: All the Way Live... Almost! (1991) (TV) (voice) God
Ghost Dad (1990) Elliot Hopper
Leonard Part 6 (1987) Leonard Parker
The Cosby Show (1984) TV Series Dr. Heathcliff 'Cliff' Huxtable
The Devil and Max Devlin (1981) Barney Satin
California Suite (1978) Visitors from Chicago - Dr. Willis Panama
Top Secret (1978) (TV) Aaron Strickland
The Fat Albert Christmas Special (1977) (TV) (voice) Fat Albert/Mushmouth/Bill/Mudfoot Brown
A Piece of the Action (1977) Dave Anderson
Cos (1976) TV Series Host
Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976) Mother
Let's Do It Again (1975) Billy Foster
Journey Back to Oz (1974) The Wizard of Oz (TV version)
Uptown Saturday Night (1974) Wardell Franklin
Hickey & Boggs (1972) Al Hickey
The New Bill Cosby Show (1972) TV Series Host
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972) TV Series (voice) Host/Fat Albert/Bill/Mushmouth/Mudfoot/Brown Hornet
Man and Boy (1972) Caleb Revers
To All My Friends on Shore (1972) (TV) Blue
The Electric Company (1971) TV Series Various Characters (1971-1972)
Dick Van Dyke Meets Bill Cosby (1970) (TV) Host
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) (uncredited) Patron at nightclub
The Bill Cosby Show (1969) TV Series Chet Kincaid
I Spy (1965) TV Series Alexander 'Scotty' Scott

Trivia

National Enquirer offers $100,000 reward for the capture of the killer of Bill's son, Ennis. [January 1997]

In 1976, he earned a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His dissertation was titled "An Integration of the Visual Media Via "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" into the Elementary School Curriculum as a Teaching Aid and Vehicle to Achieve Increased Learning."

At one time expressed a very public interest in purchasing the National Broadcasting Company.

Sang on a number of albums in the 70s.

In addition to numerous best-selling comedy albums over the years, for which he won several Grammy awards, Cosby had a top-40 hit as a singer in 1969 with "Little Old Man."

Insisted that "The Cosby Show" be filmed in New York; he disliked working in Hollywood.

Grand marshal, Tournament of Roses parade [2003]

Many elements of "The Cosby Show" (1984) were references to his own family. Phylicia Rashad (Clair Huxtable)'s maiden name was Hanks, like his wife Camille's maiden name. Also, like he has in real life, the Huxtables had four daughters and one son.

Was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Son Ennis is buried on Cosby family estate in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.

First Black performer to win an Emmy (I Spy).

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 120-122. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

Cliff Huxtable, Cosby's character on "The Cosby Show" (1984), was ranked #1 by TV Guide in its list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].

Inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 1994.

Broke Radio City's 53-year-old attendance record for his concert appearance. (1986)

Was an Honoree at the Kennedy Center Awards, and attended the ceremony with Bill Clinton, and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Is also a best-selling author.

As a child, he listened to great comedians such as: Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Jimmy Durante and Fred Allen.

"Fat Albert," "Weird Harold," and "Dumb Donald," were based on his series of routines on his school pals, and tested them on his most appreciative audience: his mother.

Was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) for his commitment to advancing higher education and for his longtime love and promotion of jazz. [May 2004]

Was once part owner of the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association.

Has been imitated by various comedians: Eddie Murphy, Jaime Foxx, Dave Coulier, Eddie Griffin, and of course, actor Kenan Thompson.

The character Dr. Hibbert from "The Simpsons" is based on him.

Within 15 seconds after watching Kenan Thompson's "Fat Albert" audition tape, he said to director Joel Zwick, "Hire him!"

He wrote many songs in the 60s and 70s, including the Stevie Wonder hit "Uptight (Everything is Alright)."

When "The Simpsons" started competing with "The Cosby Show" in 1989, the already declining audience of "The Cosby Show" decreased even more. Because of this, both shows had a playful attitude to each other. "The Cosby Show" made small references to the "The Simpsons", including one episode where Bill wore a Bart Simpson mask, and "The Simpsons" made small references to "The Cosby Show", including the character of Dr. Hibbert, a direct reference to Cosby.

Decided to become a stand-up comedian when he was a bartender. Many of the bars customers would comment on how funny he was and tell him to try his act on stage for an audience. He is one of the most successful stand up acts in history, releasing numerous hit records of his shows and still selling out venues to this date.

When "The Cosby Show" was ruling the NBC line up in mid 1980s, he insisted that his newly produced show, "A Different World", a spin-off to "The Cosby Show", follow after his show instead of the hit "Family Ties". He wanted this done because he felt there was a lack of shows on TV that promoted African-Americans in a positive light. NBC made the move, which led to two things happening. "The Cosby Show" audience was cut by 1/5 and never fully recovered, and "Family Ties" struggled to get the high numbers it once received and was canceled by 1989.

Quotes

On s'imagine toujours et à n'importe quel âge, qu'on sera vieux dans quize ans.

Le passé est un fantôme, le futur un rêve, tout ce que nous aurons jamais est maintenant.

Une chose Ă  ne jamais oublier en sortant de chez soi - un cigare.

Etre père, c'est prétendre que le cadeau qu'on préfère c'est un cendrier en terre cuite.

Les parents se fichent de la justice... Ce qu'ils veulent c'est avoir la paix !

Les êtres humains sont les seules créatures sur terre qui autorisent leurs enfants à revenir à la maison

Avoir les yeux fermés ne veut pas toujours dire qu'on dort, ni les avoir ouverts qu'on voit.

Je ne connais pas la clé du succès mais celle de l'échec est d'essayer de plaire à tout le monde.

Family

Spouse : Camille O. Cosby (née Camille Olivia Hanks) (25 January 1964 - present) 5 children

He and Camille have five children: Erika, Erinn, Ensa, Evin, and Ennis (deceased)

The oldest of 4 children.

His wife, Camille Hanks, is a direct descendant of Nancy Hanks, Abraham Lincoln's mother.

Bill's son, Ennis Cosby (27), was shot dead while fixing a flat tire off the San Diego Freeway. [16 January 1997]

Author of the card

  • Creation date: 01/07/2003 by abdest

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