Biography of bill cosby acting

In Novemberhe responded to a question about the allegations and said: "I don't talk about it. Reality is a situation and I can't speak. In the wake of the allegations, numerous organizations have severed ties with Cosby, and honors and titles that were previously awarded to him have been revoked. Reruns of The Cosby Show and other shows featuring Cosby have also been pulled from syndication by many organizations.

Twenty-five colleges and universities have rescinded honorary degrees. Bush in July There's no precedent for revoking a medal. We don't have that mechanism. And, as you know, I tend to make it a policy not to comment on the specifics of cases where there might still be, if not criminal, then civil, issues involved. And I think this country, any civilized country, should have no tolerance for rape.

With the exception of Andrea Constand's allegations, most of the sexual assault allegations against Cosby have fallen outside of the statutes of limitations for criminal prosecution. In Julysome of the court records from Andrea Constand 's civil suit against Cosby were unsealed and released to the public. The full transcript of his deposition was also released to the media by a court reporting service.

In his testimony, Cosby admitted to casual sex with a series of young women involving the recreational use of the sedative methaqualone Quaalude ; he further acknowledged that his dispensation of the prescription drug was illegal. On April 26,following a jury trial, Cosby was found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand.

An initial trial on the charges had ended in a mistrial when the jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict. On June 23,the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear a further level of appeal of Cosby's sexual assault conviction based on questions about testimony from a witness being "more prejudicial than probative". The court would hear his appeal on arguments of whether it was proper for the judge to allow five prosecution witnesses to testify in the case about prior, unrelated instances of sexual assault, and to permit the jury to learn of a deposition in which Cosby admitted to giving Quaaludes to other women in the past to facilitate sexual encounters.

The court also agreed to review whether Cosby's rights were violated by being prosecuted in the Constand matter, after a former prosecutor had informed Cosby that he would not be prosecuted for the assault, resulting in Cosby's agreeing to testify without claiming his self-incrimination privilege in his accuser's civil lawsuit. On June 30,the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Cosby's conviction, citing violations of his due process rights.

Cosby was released from prison on the same day that his conviction was overturned. Cosby's attorney filed a response in late Januaryurging the Supreme Court to decline review. On March 7,the court declined to review the decision of the Pennsylvania court. Cosby's legal issues continued following his release from prison. InJudy Huth had filed a civil suit against Cosby in California, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her inwhen she was 16 years old.

The trial began inand the jury ruled in Huth's favor. Before the allegations, younger, well-established comics like Jerry Seinfeld had credited Cosby as an innovator both as a practitioner of stand-up comedy, as well as a person who paved the way for comics to break into sitcom television. Seinfeld said of Cosby: "He opened a door for all of us, for all of the networks to even consider that this was a way to create a character, was to take someone who can hold an audience just by being up there and telling their story.

He created that. He created the whole idea of taking a quote-unquote 'comic' and developing a TV show just from a persona that you see on stage. Joan Tarshis, who had accused Cosby of raping her, within a Salon. Simpsonsaying: "When you hear O. Simpson's name, you don't think 'Oh, great football player'. That doesn't come to mind first.

I'm thinking it's not going to be 'Oh, great comedian'. It's going to be 'Oh, serial rapist'. InEbony magazine released an issue with the allegations against Cosby as the cover story, discussing the "biography of bill cosby acting" of The Cosby Show and if it is possible to separate Bill Cosby from Cliff Huxtable. The cover depicted a photograph of the Huxtables with a cracked frame, symbolizing the show's damaged and complicated legacy.

In latethe Christmas song " Baby, It's Cold Outside " was pulled from several radio stations amid controversy that its lyrics allegedly promote sexual predation. Susan Loesser, daughter of composer Frank Loesserblamed Bill Cosby for backlash against its lyric "say, what's in this drink? Loesser said, "Bill Cosby is ruining it for everybody Ever since Cosby was accused of drugging women, I hear the date rape thing all the time I biography of bill cosby acting it would be good if people looked at the song in the context of the time.

It was written in It was a different time. Like Cosby, he had been accused of many counts of rape yet maintained his innocence but was shot and killed by a victim looking for revenge. InW. Kamau Bell released the Showtime documentary We Need to Talk About Cosbywhich explores Cosby's life and career up to his sexual assault cases, through conversations with comedians, journalists, and survivors.

Cosby has spent more than 50 years standing with the excluded; made it possible for some to be included; standing with the disenfranchised; and standing with those women and men who were denied respectful work because of race and gender within the expanses of the entertainment industries, continues to be the target of numerous media that have, for too many years, distorted and omitted truths Cosby vehemently denies all allegations waged against him.

Let's talk about Bill Cosby. He wants our nation to be what it proclaims itself to be: a democracy. Cosby married Camille Hanks on January 25, Together, they had five children, Erika b. Their only son, Ennis, was murdered on January 16,while changing a flat tire on the side of Interstate in Los Angeles. Known as a jazz drummer, he can also be seen playing bass guitar with Jerry Lewis and Sammy Davis Jr.

Cosby and his wife have collected more than three hundred works of African-American art since The works went on display in "Conversations", an exhibit at the National Museum of African Art in Cosby is a supporter of his alma mater, Temple University, particularly its men's basketball team, the Temple Owlswhose games Cosby frequently attended prior to his arrest.

InCosby's attorneys reported that he is now legally blind. Following his release from prison inCosby was reported to be attempting to make a post-prison comeback. Plans for the comeback included a comedy tour that would go from the United States to Canada to London, with Cosby's team having contacted a number of promoters and comedy clubs about performance opportunities.

It was also reported that Cosby was working on a five-part docuseries that covers his legacy and his experience in prison, and that he was planning on releasing a book. Cosby received an award at the celebration of the 50th-anniversary commemoration of Brown v. Board of Education ruling—a ruling of the U. Supreme Court that outlawed racial segregation in public schools.

Later, in Mayhe made public remarks critical of African Americans who put higher priorities on sports, fashion, and "acting hard" than on education, self-respect, and self-improvement. He pleaded for African American families to educate their children on the many different aspects of American culture.

Biography of bill cosby acting: › Health & Medicine

As reported in The Washington TimesCosby "told reporters during a special session of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 's 34th annual legislative conference [that] parenting needs to come to the forefront. If you need help and you don't know how to parent, we want to be able to reach out and touch you. Board of Education decision.

Boardwhere he said: " He further described those who needed attention as blacks who "had forgotten the sacrifices of those in the Civil Rights Movement ". He is trying to speak honestly and freely and lovingly, and I think that's a very positive thing. In a interview, Cosby mentioned PhiladelphiaAtlantaChicago, Detroit, Oakland, Californiaand Springfield, Massachusetts among the cities where crime was biography of bill cosby acting and young African American men were being murdered and jailed in disproportionate numbers.

Cosby stood his ground against criticism and affirmed that African American parents were continuing to fail to inculcate proper standards of moral behavior. Cosby has also been critical of conservative Republican politicians in regard to their views on socioeconomic and racial issues. In aCNN interview regarding voting rightsCosby stated "this Republican Party is not the Republican Party ofof Abraham Lincolnabolitionists and slaveryis not good.

I think it's important for us to look at the underlying part of it. What is the value of it? Is it that some people are angry because my people no longer want to work for free? The judge ruled that releasing the sealed documents was justified by the "stark contrast between Bill Cosby, the public moralist and Bill Cosby, the subject of serious allegations concerning improper and perhaps criminal conduct".

Cosby received various awards and numerous honorary degrees for his work as a standup comedian and actor in both television and film including five Primetime Emmy Awardseight Grammy Awardstwo Daytime Emmy Awardsand two Golden Globe Awards. Bush inand the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in He also received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Due to the sexual assault allegations against Cosby, numerous awards and honors were rescinded, including the Kennedy Center Honor that he received in and was rescinded in[ ] [ ] as well as the Mark Twain Prize for American Humorwhich he received in and was rescinded in Cosby's acting career continued as he starred in the sitcom The Bill Cosby Showwhich ran for two seasons from to Inusing the Fat Albert character developed during his stand-up routines, Cosby created, produced, and hosted the animated comedy television series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids which ran untilcentering on a group of young friends growing up in an urban area.

Beginning in the s, Cosby produced and starred in The Cosby Showwhich was rated as the number-one show in America from through The sitcom highlighted the experiences and growth of an affluent African American family, and Cosby gained a reputation as "America's Dad" for his portrayal of Cliff Huxtable on the sitcom. Cosby produced the spin-off sitcom A Different Worldwhich aired from to His comedy film Bill Cosby: Himself was well regarded by comedians and critics, with some calling it the greatest stand-up concert movie ever.

He then created and produced the animated children's program Little Bill — Cosby released a number of albums, including live recordings of his stand-up comedy as well as studio albums of both vocal and instrumental music. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read View source View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version.

In other projects. American entertainer born Camille Hanks. Early life and further education. Cosby attributing his success in the field, [ 66 ]. Main article: Bill Cosby sexual assault cases. Later allegations and investigations — Hannibal Buress remarks October Additional assault allegations. Trial, conviction, and conviction overturn. Influence on other comedians.

Impact of sexual assault allegations on Cosby's legacy. Main articles: List of awards and nominations received by Bill Cosby and List of honorary degrees awarded to Bill Cosby. Main article: Bill Cosby discography. BBC News. Retrieved January 26, The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 28, Retrieved June 30, Archived from the original on October 18, Retrieved July 11, PBS NewsHour.

Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 23, Entertainment Weekly. July 13, Retrieved September 18, Archived from the original on October 26, Archived from the original on February 8, Retrieved May 4, Spec Ops. Archived from the original on July 2, Retrieved May 14, The Washington Post. September 11, Archived from the original on July 5, Navy Times. December 4, Retrieved December 31, Archived from the original on June 10, Retrieved March 22, The Kennedy Center.

Archived from the original on February 16, Retrieved February 10, Cosby was born William Henry Cosby Jr. Cosby, the oldest of four boys, grew up in Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood. At first, the Cosbys were able to get by, financially, but the family's money began to slip when Cosby's father, William Cosby Sr. After his father enlisted in the U.

Navy, Cosby became like a parent to his brothers. Cosby's mother, Anna, worked cleaning houses. He and his family also ended up living in the Richard Allen Homes, a low-income housing project. At the age of 8, Cosby suffered a great loss when his brother James, the second oldest of the boys, died. With money very tight for his family, Cosby started shining shoes and worked at a supermarket during his middle school years.

Despite their hardships, Cosby's mother stressed the value of education and learning. She often read books to Bill and his brothers, including the Bible and works by Mark Twain. A gifted storyteller himself, Cosby learned early on that humor could be a way to make friends and get what he wanted.

Biography of bill cosby acting: Bill Cosby (born July 12, ,

Cosby excelled at making things up. As one of his teachers once noted, "William should become either a lawyer or an actor because he lies so well. In school, Cosby was bright but unmotivated. He liked to tell stories and jokes to his classmates more than he liked to do his schoolwork. One of his teachers encouraged him to put his performing talents to use in school plays, not in her classroom.

At home, Cosby listened to a variety of radio programs and started imitating such comedians as Jerry Lewis. He also watched such television performers as Sid Caesar and Jack Benny whenever he could. While he was more interested in sports than academics — he was active on his school's track and football teams — Cosby was placed in a high school for gifted students after scoring high on an IQ test.

But Cosby failed to apply himself and ended up failing tenth grade twice. He switched to Germantown High School, but the academic issues continued. In frustration, Cosby dropped out of high school. He worked several odd jobs before joining the U. Navy in During his military service, Cosby worked as a medical aide on ships, in several hospitals and at other facilities.

He also joined the Navy's track team, where he excelled, especially in the high jump event. Regretting his decision to drop out of school, Cosby earned his high school equivalency diploma while in the service.

Biography of bill cosby acting: William Henry Cosby Jr is an

After leaving the Navy, he went to Temple University via scholarship. While at Temple, Cosby landed a job as a bartender at a coffee house. He told jokes there, and eventually landed work filling in for the house comedian from time to time at a nearby club. Cosby also performed as a warm-up act for his cousin's radio show. He found inspiration in the works of such comedians as Dick Gregoryan African American comic who often talked about racial issues in his routines.

Early in his career, Cosby discussed race in his act as well, but he eventually dropped it from his biographies of bill cosby acting, choosing to focus on telling stories about more general and universal themes. Nearly halfway through his college career, Cosby decided to drop out to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. He started performing at a place in Greenwich Village, New York, and he toured extensively, winning over fans.

InCosby made his first appearance on Johnny Carson 's Tonight Showwhich helped introduce him to a biography of bill cosby acting audience. Cosby would go on to appear on the show dozens of times. He also landed a recording contract and that same year released his first comedy album, Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow For the remainder of the s, Cosby released hit album after hit album, winning another five Grammys.

He would later pick up two more for his recordings for children as part of The Electric Company TV series. The two spies pretended to be a professional tennis player Culp traveling with his coach Cosby. The show ran for three years, and Cosby received three consecutive Emmy Awards for his work. Not long after I Spy ended, Cosby starred in his own sitcom.

The Bill Cosby Show ran for two seasons, from toand featured the comedian as a gym teacher at a Los Angeles high school. A former aspiring teacher, Cosby went back to school at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Cosby co-produced the show that was based on a cynical British program called One Foot in the Grave, but Cosby lightened the humor.

It centered on Cosby as Hilton Lucas, an iconoclastic senior citizen who tries to find a new job after being "downsized," and in the meantime, gets on his wife's nerves. After four solid seasons, Kids Say the Darndest Things was canceled. The last episode aired April 28, Cosby continued to work with CBS through a development deal and other projects.

His wellspring of creativity became manifest again with a series for preschoolers, Little Bill, which made its debut on Nickelodeon in The network renewed the popular program in November Inat an age when many give serious consideration to retirement, Cosby's agenda included the publication of a new book, as well as delivering the commencement addresses at Morris Brown College and at Ohio State University.

Also that year, he signed a deal with 20th Century Fox to develop a live-action feature film centering on the popular Fat Albert character from his s cartoon series. Fat Albert was released in theaters in December In Mayafter receiving an award at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary commemoration of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the U.

Supreme Court 's decision that outlawed school segregationCosby made public remarks critical of those blacks who put higher priorities on sportsfashionand "acting hard" than on education, self-respect, and self-improvement. He has made a plea for African-American families to educate their children on the many different aspects of American culture.

In "Pound Cake," Cosby, whose doctorate degree is in education, asked that African-American parents begin teaching their children better morals at a younger age. He directed this address to the leaders in the lower and middle economic classes of the African-American community. Cosby told reporters of the The Washington Times newspaper"Parenting needs to come to the forefront.

If you need help and you don't know how to parent, we want to be able to reach out and touch. Cosby again came under sharp criticism, and again he was largely unapologetic for his stance when he made similar remarks during a speech in a July 1 Rainbow Coalition meeting commemorating the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. During that speech, he admonished blacks for not assisting or concerning themselves with the individuals who are involved with crime or have counter-productive aspirations.

He further described those who needed attention as "blacks [who] had forgotten the sacrifices of those in the Civil Rights Movement. In recent years the popular comedian has been parodied on several television cartoons such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, and The Boondocks. Bill Cosby has become extensively parodied in the animated short film series House of Cosbys, a series of five minute episodes posted on the website of the Los Angeles film festival Channel that chronicle the main character, Mitchell, and his residence filled with cloned Cosbys, each possessing their own unique personality.

Cosby has been the subject of publicized sexual assault allegations since about He was accused by 60 women of rapedrug facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, child sexual abuseand sexual misconduct, with the earliest alleged incidents taking place in the mids and the most recent in Nevertheless, Cosby was charged with three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

One of Bill Cosby's passions is jazz and the culture that comes with it. Cosby has received many honorary degrees that include a Doctor of Humane Letters from Carnegie Mellon University at its commencement ceremony, where he was also the keynote speaker [9] and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Yale University in In a British poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted among the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.

He received John F. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in After a brief period of working various odd jobs, he enlisted in the U. Navy inwhere he served as a medical aide. During his military tenure, Cosby redeemed his educational path by earning a high school equivalency diploma. Following his service, he attended Temple University on a scholarship, where his journey into comedy began at local clubs and coffee houses, ultimately setting the stage for his professional career in entertainment.

He first gained national recognition in when he appeared on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, introducing him to a larger audience. With a knack for storytelling and relatable humor, Cosby quickly became a favorite, leading to his first comedy album, "Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow His unique perspective and comedic style resonated with audiences, paving the way for a series of Grammy-winning albums throughout the decade.

InCosby made a monumental leap into television with the espionage series "I Spy", making history as the first African American to co-star in a leading dramatic role on network television. His portrayal of Alexander Scott, a professional tennis player working undercover, showcased Cosby's versatility as an actor. The show ran for three successful seasons, earning him three consecutive Emmy Awards.

This groundbreaking role not only elevated his career but also opened doors for future African American actors in Hollywood, proving that diverse narratives could succeed on mainstream television. The series depicted the lives of an upper-middle-class African American family, showcasing the complexities of parenting, relationships, and social issues.

Cosby, drawing upon his real-life experiences, portrayed Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, a loving father and successful obstetrician. The show's warmth, humor, and relatable characters made it a staple of prime-time television and garnered critical acclaim.