William Henry “Bill” Cosby, Jr. entered the world in Philadelphia, PA, on July 12, 1937. His father was William Henry Cosby, his mother Anna Pearl Hite. He attended Philadelphia’s Central High School, but dropped out in the tenth grade to join the Navy. He completed high school through correspondence courses. After serving four years in the Navy, he achieved the rank of Hospital Corpsman Third Class. During his tenure, he was stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital, and he played basketball for the Quantico Marine football team and the Naval Hospital Bethesda team. Discharged in 1961, he subsequently won an athletic scholarship to Temple University.
He worked as a bartender for several years before establishing a niche for himself as a stand-up comic on the “chitlin circuit.” Bill told stories rather than jokes and this placed him a cut above other comedians. His big break came with the album, “Bill Cosby Is A Very Funny Fellow Right.” Unlike other contemporaries, he never used profanity or harsh language of any kind. His stories were timeless and universal and accepted by audiences of all colors and backgrounds.
Bill Cosby was the first African-American actor to star in a television series (I Spy, which co-starred Robert Culp in the 1960s). His performance as undercover CIA agent Alexander Scott earned him two Emmy Awards. A very versatile performer, he has produced, written and directed many of his own projects. His comedy has won more Grammies than any other artist, as he won one every year between 1965-1970 and again in 1987. In addition to gold and platinum certified comedy albums, Cosby has also written several best selling books based on his stand-up comedy routines, including “Fatherhood” (1986) and “Time Flies” (1987).
Bill Cosby has branched out into so many areas of media that it is impossible to name them all. He has also had his share of controversy and sorrow, losing his only son, Ennis, to a murderer’s bullet back in 1997.
Keep em’ laughing, Bill. You always do!
What are some of your favorite Bill Cosby performances? Please share.