BILL COSBY

Dr. William H. Cosby, Jr., is truly a Renaissance man. In his illustrious career, he has enjoyed success in many diverse fields, including stand-up comedy, publishing, feature films, recording, education, and, of course, television.

Born in Philadelphia on July 12, 1937 , the young Bill Cosby began developing his knack for comedy at an early age. He based his first routines on his school pals, including "Fat Albert," "Weird Harold," and "Dumb Donald," and tested them on his most appreciative audience: his mother. In the tenth grade, Cosby dropped out of high school to join the Navy, finishing his studies by correspondence course while still in the service. After his discharge, he entered Philadelphia 's Temple University , planning to become a physical education teacher. He supported himself as a bartender and quickly gained a reputation as a talented comic among club patrons. Encouraged by his success, Cosby left school and headed to New York to perform in Greenwich Village nightclubs. By 1963, he won a guest spot on The Tonight Show and shot to almost overnight success. His comedy was unique for its time; although it was the height of the civil rights movement, Cosby preferred to lampoon childhood and everyday situations, rather than focus on racial issues. By 1965, Cosby made the jump from stand-up comedy to television when he snagged one of the leading roles in I Spy opposite Robert Culp. His portrayal of the unflappable Alexander Scott gained him national attention and won him three Emmy Awards.

After I Spy, Cosby's place in entertainment history was firmly assured. He recorded several comedy albums, including the best-selling Why Is There Air?, Revenge, and Wonderfulness. He appeared in a variety of feature films, including Man and Boy, Mother, Jugs, and Speed with Raquel Welch, A Peice of the Action, and California Suite. His television career spiraled in 1969 with The Bill Cosby Show, the first of many series bearing his name. Along the way, Cosby managed to complete his undergraduate studies at Temple and earn a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts .

Cosby was highly active in television throughout the 1970s, with a stint on The Electric Company, the animated Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The New Bill Cosby Show, and Cos. In 1977, he earned his doctorate in education. His 1982 comedy performance movie and album, Bill Cosby: Himself was a phenomenal success, garnering numerous awards and breaking a host of sales records. But it was 1984's The Cosby Show which would remain his most successful and beloved achievement. In its eight years on the air, The Cosby Show was a critical and ratings giant. The show single-handedly revived the flagging sitcom genre and propelled NBC from last place to first in the network ratings. Cosby also developed and composed the theme music for the successful Cosby Show spin-off A Different World, which ran from 1987 to 1993.

After The Cosby Show, Cosby showed no signs of slowing down. He hosted the short-lived revival of TV's You Bet Your Life, played gumshoe Guy Hanks in The Cosby Mysteries (the character's name was a tribute to his wife, the former Camille Hanks), and launched yet another self-titled sitcom, Cosby, in 1996. Cosby ran four seasons, to widespread critical and popular acclaim.

In 1998, Cosby was an honoree at the Kennedy Center Awards. The following year, he was presented with a People's Choice Award for Favorite All-Time Television Star. In 1999, Cosby developed Little Bill for Nickelodeon. The animated series, focusing on an inquisitive pre-schooler and his family, proved immensely popular among children and adults alike. Little Bill received a 2001 Image Award, in addition to being nominated for a Daytime Emmy.

Cosby is the author of the best-selling books Fatherhood, Time Flies, and Childhood. A trustee of Temple University , he is also a devoted family man and is highly active in numerous charity organizations.

Perhaps the best description of Bill Cosby's life and work was provided by Mel Gussow in the New York Times: "He is Everyman and also his own man... A witty American humorist in complete touch with the source of his material: himself." 

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