His album "The Best of Bill Cosby" showcases his most memorable comedic performances.
Cosby's album "Disco Bill" showcases his versatility as an artist, blending comedy with music.
Cosby is a recipient of the Marian Anderson Award, celebrating his impact on the arts.
Biography
Early Life
William Henry Cosby Jr. was born on July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of four sons born to Anna Pearl, a maid, and William Henry Cosby Sr., who served in the U.S. Navy. Cosby was known for his humor from a young age, often described as the class clown during his school years. He attended Central High School, where he excelled in sports, particularly track and field, before transferring to Germantown High School. After enlisting in the Navy in 1956, he served as a hospital corpsman until 1960, during which time he earned his high school equivalency diploma and later attended Temple University on a track scholarship.
Career
Cosby's career began in stand-up comedy, where he gained national exposure on NBC's The Tonight Show in 1964. This led to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, resulting in his debut album, "Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right!" His comedy style, characterized by observational humor and storytelling, resonated with audiences, and his album "To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With" was hailed as a masterpiece. Cosby became a household name with his role as Cliff Huxtable in the iconic sitcom "The Cosby Show," which aired from 1984 to 1992, solidifying his status as a trailblazer for African Americans in entertainment.
Personal Life
Bill Cosby married Camille Hanks on January 25, 1964, and they have five children, two of whom have sadly passed away. Cosby has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, particularly in the arts, and has hosted the Los Angeles Playboy Jazz Festival for over three decades. He is also known for his extensive collection of African-American art, which has been displayed in notable exhibitions. Despite his significant contributions to comedy and television, Cosby's legacy has been marred by numerous allegations of sexual assault, leading to a conviction in 2018 that has overshadowed his earlier achievements.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Icon2011
- 1.Animal Stories6:03
- 2.My Boy Scout Troop2:15
- 3.Fat Albert Got a Hernia3:57
- 4.The Invention of Basketball4:22
- 5.My Brother Russell3:32
- 6.Football2:32
- 7.My Wife and Kids4:12
- 8.My Father3:23
- 9."Froofie" the Dog5:30
- 10.Slow Class8:25
- 11.Wallie, Wallie3:41
State of Emergency2009
- 1.State of Emergency
- 2.Why?
- 3.Runnin’
- 4.Fear No Man
- 5.Take Time
- 6.Where Did I Go Wrong?
- 7.But First
- 8.Perfect World
- 9.Dad's Behind the Glass
- 10.The Safe of Your Heart
- 11.Where’s the Parade
- 12.Get on Your Job
- 13.Look Into the Eyes
- 14.I Wish
The Original Jam Sessions: 19692004
- 1.Hikky-Burr (Kincaid Kinfolk)5:58
- 2.Groovy Gravy8:15
- 3.Oh Happy Day4:21
- 4.Jimmy Cookin' on Top (interlude)1:43
- 5.Toe Jam7:50
- 6.Jive Den3:14
- 7.Eubie Walkin'7:01
- 8.Monty, Is That You?6:44
- 9.The Drawing Room (interlude)0:59
- 10.Hikky-Burr3:47
- 11.Hikky-Burr (Mix Master Mike remix)3:01
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Bill Cosby2001
- 1.Hikky-Burr, Part 12:29
- 2.My Brother Russell3:30
- 3.Dogs3:35
- 4.Wallie, Wallie3:41
- 5.The Lower Tract2:22
- 6.The Invention of Basketball4:21
- 7.Slow Class8:23
- 8.My Wife and Kids4:10
- 9.Fat Albert's Car8:16
- 10.Animal Stories6:02
- 11.The Story of the Chicken2:56
- 12.Bill Visits Ray Charles4:55
At His Best1992
- 1.Froofie the Dog5:29
- 2.Football2:31
- 3.My Brother, Russell3:07
- 4.(In Las Vegas) Be Good to Your Wives4:06
- 5.Fat Albert Got a Hernia3:56
- 6.Why Beat Your Wife4:35
- 7.Ennis’ Toilet1:42
- 8.Grover Henson Feels Forgotten3:41
- 9.Bill’s Marriage2:09
- 10.Track and Field High Jump5:37
My Appreciation1991
- 1.Camille4:41
- 2.Trinkle Tinkle3:49
- 3.Wholy Holy I7:47
- 4.Come Sunday7:06
- 5.Have a Little Talk With Jesus (vocal)0:52
- 6.Have a Little Talk With Jesus (instrumental)2:30
- 7.3rd Avenue Jog6:26
- 8.All Blues (interlude)1:34
- 9.Wholy Holy II8:22
- 10.If I Had My Way (vocal)2:04
- 11.If I Had My Way (instrumental)6:19
Where You Lay Your Head1990
- 1.Ursalina6:52
- 2.Where You Lay Your Head6:12
- 3.Mouth of the Blowfish10:37
- 4.Four Queens and a King7:47
- 5.Why Is It I Can Never Find Anything in the Closet (It's Long but It's Alright)12:26
Himself1982
- 1.The Dentist6:06
- 2.Natural Child Birth8:18
- 3.Brain Damage4:20
- 4.Kill the Boy4:08
- 5.Chocolate Cake for Breakfast7:50
- 6.Same Things Happen Every Night3:25
- 7.The Grandparents7:05
Disco Bill1977
- 1.A Simple Love Affair4:38
- 2.What Ya Think 'Bout Lickin' My Chicken4:04
- 3.Rudy1:56
- 4.Boogie on Your Face3:03
- 5.Happy Birthday Momma4:01
- 6.That's How I Met Your Mother3:19
- 7.1, 2, 34:10
- 8.Section #93:12
- 9.A Nasty Birthday3:32
- 10.What's in a Slang2:19
Bill Cosby Is Not Himself These Days1976
- 1.Yes, Yes, Yes3:21
- 2.Chick on the Side3:20
- 3.Shift Down4:07
- 4.I Luv Myself Better Than I Luv Myself6:00
- 5.Do It to Me3:22
- 6.Ben3:22
- 7.You're Driving Me Crazy3:59
- 8.Garbage Truck Lady2:38
- 9.Luv Is3:13
Fat Albert1973
- 1.Fat Albert's Car8:09
- 2.Fat Albert Plays Dead2:05
- 3.Fat Albert Got a Hernia3:51
- 4.My Wife and Kids4:07
- 5.My Dad's Car5:46
- 6.My Brother, Russell2:27
- 7.Fernet Branca9:27
Bill Cosby Presents Badfoot Brown & the Bunions Bradford Funeral & Marching Band1971
- 1.Martin's Funeral15:21
- 2.Hybish Shybish20:12
More of the Best of Bill Cosby1970
Tracklist not collected yet.
It's True! It's True!1969
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Best of Bill Cosby1969
Tracklist not collected yet.
Bill Cosby Sings Hooray for the Salvation Army Band!1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
200 M.P.H1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings1967
Tracklist not collected yet.
Revenge1967
Tracklist not collected yet.
Wonderfulness1966
Tracklist not collected yet.
Why Is There Air?1965
Tracklist not collected yet.
I Started Out as a Child1964
Tracklist not collected yet.
Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow Right!1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
8:15 12:151969
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Warner Bros. Records
- Record label
- Capitol Records
Achievements
- Award
- Daytime Emmy Award
- Award
- Library of Congress Living Legend
- Award
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
- Award
- Paul Robeson Award
- Award
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture
- Award
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor
- Award
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay
- Award
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
- Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Award
- honorary degree from Spelman College
- Award
- United Nations Peace Medal
- Award
- Spingarn Medal
- Award
- Kennedy Center Honors
- Award
- Golden Globe Awards
- Award
- Theodore Roosevelt Award
- Award
- Marian Anderson Award
- Award
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
Groups
- Temple Owlscurrent
- The Electric Companycurrent
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: William Henry Cosby, Jr
William Henry Cosby Jr. is an American former comedian, actor, and media personality. Often deemed a trailblazer for African Americans in the entertainment industry, Cosby was well known in the United States for his stand-up comedy routines and television career before achieving global recognition for his portrayal of Cliff Huxtable in the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). He was also prolific in advertising for decades and was the recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees throughout his career, many of which were revoked after dozens of allegations of sexual assault were made against him, starting in 2014 and culminating in a 2018 conviction for aggravated indecent assault.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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