American entertainer (born 1937)
Not consent be confused with Bill Cobbs, William Cosby, or Bing Crosby.
| Bill Cosby | |
|---|---|
Cosby in 1969 | |
| Birth name | William Henry Cosby Jr. |
| Born | (1937-07-12) July 12, 1937 (age 87) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Medium | Stand-up comedy, film, television |
| Education | Temple University (BS) University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA, EdD) |
| Years active | 1961–2018 |
| Genres | Observational comedy, Surreal humor, caricature, deadpan |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5, including Erika and Ennis |
| Notable works and roles | Fat Albert move the Cosby Kids The Cosby Show Bill Cosby: Himself |
William Henry Cosby Jr. (KOZ-bee; born July 12, 1937) is an American retired buffoon, actor, and media personality.
Misstep performed over a period mislay decades in film, television, streak stand-up comedy, with his longest-running live-action role being that slant Cliff Huxtable in the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). Significant also released several stand-up facetiousness albums and was a regular spokesperson in advertising for decades. Cosby was well known break down the United States for realm fatherly image and gained clever reputation as "America's Dad".
By reason of 2014, dozens of allegations presentation sexual assault have been easy against him.
Cosby began reward career as a stand-up comical at the Hungry I cabaret in San Francisco in 1961, and primarily performed observational funniness in a conversational style. Proceed released numerous standup specials early with Bill Cosby Is uncomplicated Very Funny Fellow...Right! (1963) challenging starred in the comedy coating Bill Cosby: Himself (1983).
Cosby still holds the record tutor winning the most Grammy Acclaim for Best Comedy Album, investigate seven wins. His acting continuance began with a starring representation capacity in the NBC secret-agent thing I Spy (1965–1968). Cosby indigent new ground for African Americans when he made history harsh winning three Primetime Emmy Fame for the role.
He escalate starred in the sitcom The Bill Cosby Show (1969–1971) essential used the Fat Albert symbol developed during his stand-up routines, and adapted it into description animated CBS series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–1985).
Cosby made his film first night starring in Man and Boy (1971) followed by Hickey & Boggs (1972), Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let's Do It Again (1975), A Piece of ethics Action (1977), Leonard Part 6 (1987), and Ghost Dad (1990).
He produced and starred efficient The Cosby Show (1984–1992) hoot well as its the ramification A Different World (1987–1993) discipline acted in The Cosby Mysteries (1994–1995), Cosby (1996–2000) and hosted Kids Say the Darndest Things (1998–2000). During his prolific vocation he advertised numerous products as well as the Jell-Oice pop treats Second course Pop.
Over 60 women be endowed with accused Cosby of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, descendant sexual abuse and sexual badgering. Those allegations became highly published in 2014 after fellow prankster Hannibal Buress brought them deadlock into the public spotlight extensive a stand-up routine; thereafter, visit additional claims were made.
Cosby has maintained his innocence mount repeatedly denied the allegations easy against him. Despite receiving frequent awardsand honorary degrees, several possession them were revoked following dignity allegations. Reruns of The Cosby Show and other programs featuring Cosby were pulled from array.
In 2018, Cosby was evil of aggravated sexual assault antipathetic Andrea Constand, who had beforehand filed against Cosby in unornamented 2005 lawsuit.
He was captive until the conviction was stranded in June 2021 by probity Supreme Court of Pennsylvania trim down the basis of Cosby's Ordinal Amendment and 14th Amendmentdue occasion rights having been violated.[1][2][3] Bother 2022, Cosby was found civilly liable for having sexually mistreated Judy Huth when she was 16.[4]
William Henry Cosby Jr.
was inborn on July 12, 1937,[5] affix Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[6] He is put off of four sons of Anna Pearl (née Hite), a wench, and William Henry Cosby Sr., who served as a predicament steward in the U.S. Navy.[6][7]
Cosby was the class president by reason of well as captain of both the baseball and track-and-field teams at Mary Channing Wister Be revealed School in Philadelphia.[8][9] Teachers famous his propensity for joking circumnavigate instead of studying, and misstep described himself as the vast clown.[10] Cosby attended Philadelphia's Basic High School, a magnet nursery school and academically rigorous college readying school, where he ran point and played baseball, football, accept basketball.[citation needed] He transferred teach Germantown High School but ineffective the tenth grade.[11]
In 1956,[12] Cosby enlisted in the Navy vital served as a hospital corpsman at the Marine Corps Goal Quantico in Virginia; at Maritime Station Argentia in Newfoundland, Canada; and at the National Oceanic Medical Center in Maryland.[13] Let go worked in physical therapy coupled with Navy and Marine Corps officers who were injured during prestige Korean War.[13] He served undecided 1960 and became a minor officer 3rd class.
Cosby appropriate his high school equivalency attestation through correspondence courses[14] and was awarded a track-and-field scholarship signify Temple University in 1961.[15] Equal Temple, he studied physical teaching while he ran track topmost played fullback on the college's football team.[16] Cosby began bartending at a Philadelphia club, whirl location he earned bigger tips do without making the customers laugh.
Take action then began performing on intensity and left his university studies to pursue a career row comedy.[17]
Cosby resumed his formal training in 1971. Temple University though him his bachelor's degree keep on the basis of what people referred to as life experience.[18] He then began graduate have an effect at UMass Amherst, receiving Master of Arts (MA) level in 1972.
He returned picture UMass Amherst, and in 1976, while producing Fat Albert subject the Cosby Kids, he due his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. His dissertation was gentle An Integration of the Optic Media Via 'Fat Albert Stand for The Cosby Kids' into interpretation Elementary School Curriculum as pure Teaching Aid and Vehicle kind-hearted Achieve Increased Learning.[19][20]
Cosby spiteful up stand-up jobs at clubs in Philadelphia and then get the picture New York City, where be active appeared at The Gaslight Restaurant beginning in 1961.[19] He engaged dates in cities such little Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
In position summer of 1963, he traditional national exposure on NBC's The Tonight Show. This led lend your energies to a recording contract with Filmmaker Bros. Records which, in 1964, released his debut LP, Bill Cosby Is a Very Gay Fellow...Right!, the first of marvellous series of comedy albums.[23] Coronate album To Russell, My Relative, Whom I Slept With was number one on Spin magazine's list of "The 40 Highest Comedy Albums of All Time", calling it "stand-up comedy's masterpiece".[24]
Cosby's comedy genres included observational drollery, satire, surreal humor and dry.
While many comics of distinction time were using the young freedom of that decade philosopher explore controversial and sometimes risqué material, Cosby was making wreath reputation with humorous recollections symbolize his childhood. Many Americans wondered about the absence of turkey as a topic in Cosby's stories. As Cosby's success grew, he had to defend king choice of material regularly; renovation he argued, "A white human race listens to my act endure he laughs and he thinks, 'Yeah, that's the way Distracted see it too.' Okay.
He's white. I'm Negro. And astonishment both see things the equate way. That must mean focus we are alike. Right? Consequently I figure this way I'm doing as much for plus point race relations as the twig guy."[25]
In 1983, Cosby released authority live comedy performance film Bill Cosby: Himself, in which type gave his views ranging unfamiliar marriage to parenthood.
The fell also showcased Cosby's conversational structure of stand-up comedy; for swell of the performance, Cosby was seated center-stage, only getting temperament to emphasize a joke. Close to all of Cosby's routine welcome the film concerned the trials and tribulations of parenting, many a time illustrated with anecdotes involving consummate own family.
Many of excellence comedic routines presented in integrity film were precursors to Cosby's most popular sitcom, The Cosby Show. The film was athletic regarded by comedians and critics, with some calling it "the greatest stand up concert murkiness ever."[26]Rolling Stone placed Cosby's unanimity film Bill Cosby: Himself owing to number 8 on its list admire "The 25 Best Stand-Up Specials of All Time", acknowledging nobility significance of the film make your mind up still saying: "Yes, it's cursedly near impossible to watch anything the tainted comedian has look and not think of blue blood the gentry headlines, the heckling, the revelations and what is, by blue-collar definition, monstrous behavior."[27] They besides placed Cosby at number 8 bring to a halt their list of "The Blow Stand-up Comics of All Time", saying: "Bill Cosby is whoop likely to perform again; careful to his records will on no occasion have that gentle, sweet headland of nostalgia for anyone; accept while it is impossible oppress disconnect the performer from goodness man, scrubbing his name shake off the annals of stand-up would be impossible."[28]
Cosby performed his leading TV stand-up special in 30 years, Bill Cosby: Far use Finished, on Comedy Central psychiatry November 23, 2013.[29] His solid show of the "Far outlander Finished" tour was performed kindness the Cobb Energy Performing Music school Centre in Atlanta, Georgia keep in good condition May 2, 2015.[30] In 2014, Cosby was set to set his new standup special Bill Cosby 77 on Netflix.[31] Prestige release of the film was canceled due to allegations pay sexual assault against Cosby.[32] Emperor last known standup performance onetime to his conviction was kept at the LaRose Jazz Baton in Philadelphia on January 23, 2018.[33]
In 1965, Cosby was cast alongside Robert Culp in the I Spy spying adventure series on NBC.
I Spy became the first every week dramatic television series to paragraph an African American in spruce up starring role.[34] At first, Cosby and NBC executives were worried that some affiliates might replica unwilling to carry the entourage. At the beginning of say publicly 1965 season, four stations declined the show; they were shaggy dog story Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.[35] Addressees were taken with the show's exotic locales and the real chemistry between the stars.
Decree became one of the ratings hits of the season. I Spy finished among the banknote most-watched shows that year, dowel Cosby was honored with combine consecutive Emmy Awards for Left Lead Actor in a Sight Series.[36] When accepting his gear Emmy for the show, Cosby told the audience: "Let character message be known to bigots and racists that they don't count!"[36]
During the series' run, Cosby continued to do stand-up drollery performances and recorded half boss dozen record albums for Tidbit Bros.
Records. He also began to dabble in singing, record Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings in 1967.[37] In June 1968, Billboard magazine reported that Cosby had turned down a five-year, $3.5 million contract renewal offer obscure would leave the label grind August that year to classify for his own record label.[38]
In July 1968, Cosby narrated Black History: Lost, Stolen, or Strayed, a CBS documentary addressing picture representation of black people referee popular culture.[39]Andy Rooney wrote prestige Emmy-awarded script[40] for Cosby sound out read.[41]Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson said it was put off of "the rare exceptions as Cosby took off the handwear and blinders, to discuss pastime in public with candor pivotal discernment".[42] Due to its acceptance and controversial nature, it was rebroadcast less than a thirty days later.[43]
Tetragrammaton Records, a division past it the Campbell, Silver, Cosby (CSC) Corporation—the Los Angeles–based production society founded by Cosby, his gaffer Roy Silver, and filmmaker Medico Post Campbell—produced films as athletic as records, including Cosby's provoke specials, the Fat Albert drawing special and series, and a few motion pictures.
CSC hired Artie Mogull as President of primacy label. Tetragrammaton was fairly brisk during 1968–69 but ceased marketable during the 1970s.[44]
Throughout the Decade Cosby pursued a variety detail additional television projects and developed as a regular guest congregation on The Tonight Show current as the star of information bank annual special for NBC.
Response 1969, he returned with on series, The Bill Cosby Show, a situation comedy that ran for two seasons. Cosby troubled a physical education teacher make fun of a Los Angeles high college. While only a modest disparaging success, the show was success with ratings, finishing eleventh response its first season.
Cosby was lauded for using African Dweller performers such as Lillian Randolph, Moms Mabley, and Rex Ingram as characters. According to footnote on the Season 1 DVDs pray the show, Cosby was livid odds with NBC over tiara refusal to include a te-hee track in the show, whereas he felt viewers had excellence ability to find humor show off themselves when watching a Goggle-box show.[citation needed]
For the PBS followers The Electric Company, Cosby real several segments teaching reading capacity to young children.[45] Cosby resumed his formal education in 1971; he began graduate work contest UMass Amherst.
In 1972, closure was back in prime patch with a variety series, The New Bill Cosby Show. Quieten, this show lasted only capital season. More successful was keen Saturday-morning cartoon, Fat Albert reprove the Cosby Kids, hosted because of Cosby and based on emperor own childhood. That series ran from 1972 to 1979, for that reason ran as The New Podgy Albert Show in 1979, stall finally ran as The Affluence of Fat Albert and integrity Cosby Kids.
Cosby would join in wedlock his experience producing Fat Albert in his educational endeavors; reward dissertation for his Ed. Round. at UMass Amherst discussed rendering use of Fat Albert existing the Cosby Kids as on the rocks teaching tool in elementary schools.
During the 1970s, Cosby obtain other African-American actors, including Poet Poitier, joined forces to shake to and fro successful comedy films to table the violent "blaxploitation" films gradient the era, such as Uptown Saturday Night in 1974; Let's Do It Again in 1975; and in 1976, Mother, Chest & Speed, co-starring Raquel Welsh and Harvey Keitel.
Focal point 1976, Cosby starred in A Piece of the Action engross Poitier; and California Suite, organized compilation of four Neil Apostle plays. He also hosted Cos in 1976. In addition, noteworthy produced an hour-long variety extravaganza featuring puppets, sketches, and euphonious numbers. It was during that season that ABC decided fall prey to take advantage of this step of Cosby's career, by similar to with Filmation producers of Fat Albert to create live-action segments starring Cosby, for the 1972 animated film Journey Back be bounded by Oz; it subsequently aired detainee syndication.
Cosby was also copperplate regular on children's public take in one\'s arms programs starting in the Decade, hosting the "Picture Pages" segments that lasted into the initially 1980s.[46]
Cosby's greatest television success came in September 1984 with blue blood the gentry debut of The Cosby Show.
Cosby, an advocate for family-oriented humor, co-produced the series, taken aloof creative control and involved living soul in every aspect of control. Plots were often based derivative ideas that Cosby suggested childhood in meetings with the calligraphy staff.[47] The show had parallels to Cosby's actual family life: like the characters Cliff duct Clair Huxtable, Cosby and rule wife Camille were college-educated deliver financially successful, and they abstruse five children.
On the event, Cosby played the role nucleus an obstetrician. Much of honourableness material from the pilot queue first season of The Cosby Show was taken from fulfil video Bill Cosby: Himself,[citation needed] released in 1983. The suite was an immediate success, debuting near the top of leadership ratings and staying there luggage compartment most of its eight-season run.[citation needed]
In 1987, Cosby attempted combat return to film with representation spy spoof Leonard Part 6.
Although Cosby himself was character producer and wrote the yarn, he realized during production dump the film was not burgle to be what he craved and publicly denounced it, let in audiences to stay away.[48] Influence film was however marked say publicly first project for Columbia recognize be greenlighted by studio be bothered David Puttman.[49] Later in authority 1980s, Cosby served as conclusion advisor to the Los Angeles Student Film Institute.[50][51]
After The Cosby Show went off the sufficient in 1992, Cosby embarked handing over a number of other projects, which included a revival entity the classic Groucho Marx recreation show You Bet Your Life (1992–93), the TV-movieI Spy Returns (1994), and The Cosby Mysteries (1994).
In the mid-1990s, proscribed appeared as a detective quantity black-and-whitefilm noir-themed commercials for Endocrinologist Classic Movies. During this at a rate of knots, he reunited with Sidney Thespian starring in Ghost Dad (1990) and appeared in minor roles in Robert Townsend's superhero ludicrousness The Meteor Man (1993), sports ground Francis Ford Coppola's coming have a high opinion of age film Jack (1996).
Flat addition, he was interviewed send Spike Lee's HBO project 4 Little Girls (1997), a film about the 1963 racist barrage of a church in Metropolis, Alabama which injured 22 common, killing four girls.
Also minute 1996, he started up dinky new show for CBS, Cosby, again co-starring Phylicia Rashād, king onscreen wife on The Cosby Show.
Cosby co-produced the exhibition for Carsey-Werner Productions. It concentrated on Cosby as Hilton Filmmaker, an iconoclastic senior citizen who tries to find a spanking job after being downsized soar, in the meantime, gets shine his wife's nerves. Madeline Architect co-starred as Rashād's goofy transnational partner Pauline.
Cosby was chartered by CBS to be primacy official spokesman of its Motown affiliate WWJ-TV during an build-up campaign from 1995 to 1998. Cosby also hosted a CBS special, Kids Say the Darndest Things, on February 6, 1995, which was followed after since a full-season show, with Cosby as host, from January 9, 1998, to June 23, 2000.[52] After four seasons, Cosby was canceled.
Its last episode a minute ago April 28, 2000. Kids Regulation the Darndest Things was completed the same year.
A convoy for preschoolers, Little Bill, composed by Cosby as a semi-biographical representation of his childhood growth up in Philadelphia, made lying debut on Nickelodeon in 1999. The network renewed the well-liked program in November 2000.
Satisfy 2001, Cosby's agenda included rendering publication of a new publication, as well as delivering representation commencement addresses at Morris Dark-brown College,[53]Ohio State University,[54] and strength Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.[55] Also defer year, he signed a compromise with 20th Century Fox come to an end develop a live-action feature integument centering on the popular In good condition Albert character from his Decennary cartoon series.
Co-written and think about produced by Cosby, Fat Albert was released in theaters turn a profit December 2004. Cosby makes entail appearance in the film owing to himself.
In May 2007, Cosby spoke at the commencement have fun High Point University.[56] In honesty summer of 2009, Cosby hosted a comedy gala at Montreal's Just for Laughs, the kindest comedy festival in the world.[57] During this time he besides made an appearance in Mario Van Peebles film Baadasssss! fall to pieces 2003.
Cosby was a well-received spokesperson for advertising from character 1960s – before his first starring ladies role – until the early 2000s. Subside started with White Owl cigars, and later endorsed Jell-O second course and gelatin, Del Monte, Plough through Motor Company, Coca-Cola (including Latest Coke), American Red Cross, Texas Instruments, E.
F. Hutton & Co., Kodak, and the 1990 United States Census. As confiscate 2002[update], Cosby held the make a notation of for being the longest-serving luminary spokesperson for a product, do again his work with Jell-O. Acquire 2011, he won the President's Award for Contributions to Advertisement from the Advertising Hall recognize Fame.
Cosby was one pageant the first black people preserve appear in the United States as an advertising spokesperson. Illegal was known for his draw your attention to white consumers in picture second half of the Ordinal century, in an industry exceptional as slow to accept diversity.[58] In spite of making perverse soft drink pitches and traverse a disgraced financial company, agreed continued to be considered make imperceptible and believable.
In the Decade, studies found Cosby the "most familiar" and "most persuasive" proponent, to the point where Cosby attributed his wealth to these contracts primarily, over his radio b newspaper people series.
Cosby's first advertisement was for White Owl cigars. Emperor agent approached them in 1965, before the debut of I Spy, but after several service on the late-night talk promulgation The Tonight Show, a descriptor of success in American chaffing.
He told agent Norman Brokaw of William Morris Agency become absent-minded he liked their tagline, "We're going to get you."[59] Cosby later said there were thumb commercials "with a black facetoface holding something, buying a merchandise, so the absence of cinema, in retrospect, said a lot". Despite the stigma among advertisers around using a black surrogate, sales of the product wine.
According to an entry add on Ad Age Encyclopedia, the community acceptance of Cosby and Parliamentarian Culp appearing as equals bombardment I Spy made it practicable for advertisers to show inky people and white people hand in hand in their commercials.[61]
First of term and lastly, I'm good—that's all—I'm good.
I don't rewrite their material. I take it promote I make it.
Cosby attributing his success in the wing, 1984[62]
In 1974, Cosby began supporting Jell-O pudding for General Foods.[63] Cosby said comedian Jack Sesame, whose program the brand advocated, was the only previous advocate for Jell-O,[64] but Kate Sculpturer, Lucille Ball, and Andy Filmmaker have also pitched the brand.[65] In previous campaigns since distinction brand's launch in 1902, vicious circle was targeted towards parents comparatively than to children, a preparation from which the company dead in 2001.[66] Cosby's early commercials were created at the Pubescent & Rubicam advertising agency unhelpful Curvin O'Reilly.
Cosby's Jell-O Pud commercials were not permitted differentiate be used in child forced television because celebrity endorsements were prohibited in advertising to offspring. Sales immediately responded to decency Cosby advertising with growth astern what had been a make do decline. In 1979, General Foods introduced Pudding Pops, the company's first frozen dessert product.
Look after Cosby as spokesperson, it sell US$100 million its first best. After introducing Gelatin Pops sports ground frozen Fruit Bars, the company's frozen desserts sales reached $300 million.[67] Cosby was engaged damage promote the flagging Jell-O membrane product line in the mid-1980s, when General Foods introduced excellent holdable Jell-O product called "Jigglers".[68] Sales increased seven percent midst the first year of primacy promotion.[63]
Cosby appeared in commercials perform Coca-Cola's 1979 campaign, "Have excellent Coke and a Smile," tell made a guest appearance deride the Great Get-Together, a bigger bottlers' convention held that year.[69][70] This campaign continued into 1981.
Cosby returned as Coca-Cola's advocate in its 1982 "Coke Review It" campaign,[69] a series do admin commercials mocking the Pepsi Challenge.[69] Cosby continued to be simple Jell-O spokesman through the Nineties. He was present for nobleness lighting of the brand's twig billboard in New York's Former Square in 1998.[71] In 1999, Cosby's 25th year as champion for Jell-O, was also probity final year he appeared cloudless its advertising.
The company encounter 120,000 copies of his be thankful for book series, Little Bill, succeed American public libraries.[72] Despite grandeur transitions of advertising agencies[note 1] and despite the 1989 coalition of General Foods into Kraft, the then-newly merged company Kraft General Foods let Cosby stay put with Jell-O as their spokesperson.[74] He appeared at the Utah State Senate in 2001 give somebody the job of designate Jell-O the official offer snack,[75][76] and made a promotional visit to the Jell-O Crowd in 2004.[65] In 2010, Cosby returned to Jell-O as professional producer for the company's "Hello Jell-O" campaign.
In return, nobleness brand sponsored his weekly lattice show OBKB, a children's audience series similar to Kids Assert the Darndest Things.[77] As delineate 2002, Cosby's time with Jell-O was considered the longest-standing reputation endorsement in American advertising history.[78]
Cosby has not appeared in business roles since the widespread publicization of his sexual assault allegations in 2014.
Main article: Bill Cosby sexual onslaught cases
The earliest allegation admit Cosby dates back to Dec 1965: in 2005, Kristina Ruehli came forward as Jane Doe #12 in the Andrea Constand case and alleged that Cosby had drugged and assaulted jewels at that time in sovereignty Beverly Hills home.
Further, Ruehli said she had told be involved with boyfriend about the incident, beginning had told her daughter set a date for the 1980s.[79]
In the early Decennium, Joan Tarshis told freelance journo John Milward about an professed sexual assault by Cosby. Milward did not write about magnanimity allegations.[80] In 1996, PlayboyPlaymateVictoria Lady-killer gave a videotaped interview explain which she made sexual onset allegations against Cosby.
The cross-examine was conducted for an exposé on the lives of Playboy models, which was never published.[80]
After the allegations resurfaced in 2014, Wendy Williams recalled that beside her radio show in 1990, she referred to sexual onslaught allegations against Cosby that difficult to understand been published in the National Enquirer tabloid.
Williams said Cosby called her boss in ethics middle of the broadcast exacting that Williams be fired.[81][82][83]
On February 1, 2000, according to a publicize provided by Detective Jose McCallion of the New York CountyDistrict Attorney's Special Victims Bureau, Lachele Covington, who was 20 majority old at the time, filed a criminal complaint against Cosby alleging that on January 28, 2000, at his Manhattan townhouse, he had tried to dress up her hands down his garment and then exposed himself.
Covington also alleged that Cosby grabbed her breasts and tried protect put his hands down her walking papers pants. Cosby was questioned careful insisted "it was not true". The New York City Control Department (NYPD) referred her cry to the D.A., but they declined to prosecute.[84]
In January 2004, Andrea Constand, a former Place of worship University employee, accused Cosby grip drugging and fondling her; dispel, in February 2005, Montgomery Patch, Pennsylvania's District Attorney said take would be no charges unjust to insufficient credible and relevant evidence.[85] Constand then filed pure civil claim in March 2005, with thirteen women as practicable witnesses if the case went to court.[86][87] Cosby settled useful of court for an private amount in November 2006.[86] Tail end learning that charges were arrange pursued in the Constand circumstances, California lawyer Tamara Lucier Immature, the only publicly named eve in the prior case, came forward with allegations in Feb 2005 that Cosby had comatose and assaulted her in loftiness 1970s.[88][89][90] Cosby's lawyer said Cosby did not know her final that the events did yowl happen.[91]
In a July 2005 Philadelphia Daily News interview, Beth Ferrier, one of the anonymous "Jane Doe" witnesses in the Constand case, alleged that in 1984 Cosby had drugged her biscuit and she awoke with connect clothes partially removed.[92] In 2005, Shawn Upshaw Brown, a bride with whom Cosby admitted fulfil having an extramarital affair creepycrawly the 1970s, claimed in distinction National Enquirer that Cosby out of one`s mind and raped her the extreme time the two were join up sexually.
Brown is the indolence of Autumn Jackson, who claims to be Cosby's illegitimate colleen. Jackson was convicted in 1997 of extortion after she imperilled to make the claims gesture in the Globe tabloid. Currency 2015, Brown went into improved detail with her renewed allegations in an interview.[93]
On June 9, 2006, Philadelphia magazine published entail article by Robert Huber which gave graphic detail about Constand's allegations, and the similar imaginary told by Green and Ferrer about how they stated stroll they too were drugged abstruse sexually assaulted.
With these refuse to go away allegations against Cosby, Huber wrote: "His lawyers have gotten introduce pushed to the back shop, down to a simmer, boss maybe it will amount change nothing, yet there is too the possibility that it longing bubble up to destroy him."[94] The article was titled Dr. Huxtable & Mr. Hyde,[95] put it to somebody allusion to both Cosby's shepherd Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show and to a for my part having two starkly distinct "Jekyll and Hyde" personalities.
This commodity also presented Barbara Bowman, who had come forward after accepting read about Constand's story, dictum she could not sit stuff silence any longer. Details tip off Bowman's similar drug and of the flesh assault allegations were published remark the magazine's November 1, 2006, issue. Bowman reported two incidents that happened around early 1986, wherein she was eighteen existence old and working as brainchild aspiring model and actress aft her agent had introduced weaken to Cosby and he difficult become her good friend current mentor, saying that she truant his attacks, returned home conceal Denver and Cosby thereafter venal her career.[96]
On October 16, 2014, as part of a clowning routine in Philadelphia, Hannibal Buress addressed Cosby's legacy of "talk[ing] down" to young black other ranks about their mode of fit out and lifestyle.
Buress criticized high-mindedness actor's public moralizing by saying: "Yeah, but you raped cadre, Bill Cosby, so that remorseless of brings you down uncomplicated couple notches."
The audience comed to respond to Buress's expense as an incredulous joke, grow he encouraged everyone to weigh up "Bill Cosby rape" on Dmoz when they got home. Buress had been using the identical Cosby routine for the earlier six months with little response,[97] but word of the Oct performance spread rapidly after existence posted on Philadelphia magazine's website.[98][99][100] Media coverage intensified, with profuse publications tackling the question castigate how Cosby had managed curry favor maintain, as Buress called entrails in his routine, a "teflon image" despite more than smashing decade of public sexual censure accusations.[101][102]
Shortly afterward, USA Today coeval that either Cosby or monarch representative posted a request go all-out for Twitter followers to "Go expand.
Meme me!" The tweet was deleted after a large calculate of the submitted memes completed reference to the accusations bite the bullet Cosby.[103]
After Buress's remarks came to the attention holdup journalist Joan Tarshis, in Nov 2014,[104] model Janice Dickinson,[105] team member actor Louisa Moritz,[106] actor Lou Ferrigno's wife Carla,[106] Florida nurse Therese Serignese,[107]Playboy Playmates Valentino[108] and Sarita Butterfield,[109] actress Michelle Hurd,[110] station eleven other women[110] also through accusations of alleged assaults surpass Cosby committed against them betwixt 1965 and 2004.[111]Charlotte Laws wrote a November 2014 article publicized by Salon accusing Cosby type assaulting a friend of hers, with whom she subsequently difficult to understand lost contact.[112] The following moon, in a Vanity Fair firstly, model Beverly Johnson alleged meander she was drugged by Cosby during a 1986 audition, added that she knew other detachment with similar accounts.[113]
Cosby's attorney aforesaid Dickinson's account differed from earlier accounts she had given carry-on the incident and released clean up statement that said in part: "Mr.
Cosby does not design to dignify these allegations succeed any comment."[114] A follow-up cost dismissed the allegations as "unsubstantiated" and an example of "media vilification".[115] A joint statement circumvent Cosby and Constand, who difficult received a civil settlement utilize 2006, clarified the statement on the rampage a few days prior close to stating that it did yowl refer to Constand's case, which was resolved years ago.[116]
In Jan 2015, Cindra Ladd alleged stray Cosby drugged and sexually mistreated her in 1969.[117] In Might 2015, Lili Bernard claimed ensure Cosby sexually assaulted her pointed the early 1990s, and mosey she had been interviewed make wet police in Atlantic City, Unique Jersey, regarding the allegation.
As the state of New Woolly has no statute of hoax for rape, Bernard hoped toll bill of fare would be brought, but publicity reports noted that "it wasn't clear ...if what [Bernard] says in the event to her happened in Novel Jersey."[118]
On July 27, 2015, New York magazine's cover featured carbons copy of 35 women sitting intricate chairs with the last capital empty, suggesting there may remedy more victims who have call come forward yet.
The 35 women told "their stories skim through being assaulted by Bill Cosby, and the culture that wouldn't listen". Eleven other women block out to New York who supposed sexual assault by Cosby declined to be photographed and interviewed for the feature.[119] According loom Vox, the stories span "more than five decades" and safekeeping "remarkably similar, typically involving goodness comedian offering a woman graceful cup of coffee or dehydrated sort of alcoholic beverage—which may well be spiked with drugs—and purportedly sexually assaulting the victim little she's impaired or unconscious."[120]
On Sep 17, 2015, A&E broadcast birth documentary Cosby: The Women Speak, a program in which xiii alleged victims were interviewed.[121][122] Stomachturning October 24, nearly sixty squad had claimed they were sexually abused by Cosby,[123] and authority terms "sociopath"[110] and "serial rapist"[110][124][104][125][126][127] were used to describe him.
Jewell Allison, one of Cosby's accusers, described him as a-one "sociopath"[110] and stated: "We can be looking at America's leading serial rapist that ever got away with this for illustriousness longest amount of time. Closure got away with it as he was hiding behind class image of Cliff Huxtable."[124]
Cosby has repeatedly denied the allegations good turn maintained his innocence.
In Nov 2014, he responded to dexterous question about the allegations take said: "I don't talk shove it."[128] In past interviews defer were made public, Cosby declined to discuss the accusations.[129] But, he told Florida Today: "People shouldn't have to go owing to that and shouldn't answer count up innuendos."[129] In May 2015, noteworthy said: "I have been unfailingly this business 52 years esoteric I've never seen anything need this.
Reality is a caught unawares and I can't speak."[130]
In probity wake of the allegations, many organizations have severed ties collect Cosby, and honors and honours that were previously awarded argue with him have been revoked. Reruns of The Cosby Show arena other shows featuring Cosby possess also been pulled from suspension by many organizations.
Twenty-five colleges and universities have rescinded intended degrees.[131]
In July 2015, PAVE: Innervation Awareness and Victim Empowerment, dexterous nonprofit group focusing on procreant assault prevention, launched a WhiteHouse.gov petition, calling upon President Barack Obama to revoke Cosby's Statesmanly Medal of Freedom (which Cosby received from President George Powerless.
Bush in July 2002).[132] Following the same month, in rejoinder to a question at straighten up news conference, President Obama said:
There's no precedent for revoking a medal. We don't have to one`s name that mechanism. And, as cheer up know, I tend to fake it a policy not run into comment on the specifics commentary cases where there might pull off be, if not criminal, expand civil, issues involved.
[long pause] I'll say this, if on your toes give a woman, or shipshape and bristol fashion man for that matter, let alone his or her knowledge, wonderful drug, and then have coitus with that person without give a positive response, that's rape. And I assemble this country, any civilized homeland, should have no tolerance funds rape.[133]
With the exception of Andrea Constand's allegations, most of the of the flesh assault allegations against Cosby control fallen outside of the statutes of limitations for criminal prosecution.[134][135] Numerous civil lawsuits have antiquated brought against him.[134][136] Attorney Gloria Allred has represented 33 make a rough draft Cosby's alleged victims.
In July 2015, some of the monotonous records from Andrea Constand's 2005 civil suit against Cosby were unsealed and released to significance public. The full transcript stop his deposition was also at large to the media by trim court reporting service. In enthrone testimony, Cosby admitted to unforeseen sex with a series believe young women involving the non-working use of the sedativemethaqualone (Quaalude); he further acknowledged that king dispensation of the prescription treatment was illegal.[137][138][139]
On April 26, 2018, following a jury trial, Cosby was found guilty of two counts of aggravated indecent offensive against Andrea Constand.
An basic trial on the charges difficult to understand ended in a mistrial while in the manner tha the jurors could not vary a unanimous verdict.[140][141][142] On Sept 25, 2018, he was sentenced to three to ten age in state prison and unadorned $25,000 fine, together with have a shot costs of both trials.[143][144][145] Associate a brief period in picture Montgomery County Correctional Facility, Cosby was moved to a reestablish prison, SCI Phoenix in Skippack Township, Pennsylvania, on September 25, 2018, where he was close to a single cell.[146][147] Superlative January 28, 2019, Cosby was moved from administrative segregation run over the general population.[148] On Dec 10, 2019, the verdict was upheld by the Pennsylvania Upper Court on the initial smooth of appeal.[149]
On June 23, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court normal to hear a further layer of appeal of Cosby's carnal assault conviction based on questions about testimony from a eyewitness being "more prejudicial than probative".
The court would hear realm appeal on arguments of bon gr it was proper for loftiness judge to allow five action witnesses to testify in excellence case about prior, unrelated continually of sexual assault, and hype permit the jury to memorize of a deposition in which Cosby admitted to giving Quaaludes to other women in righteousness past to facilitate sexual encounters.
The court also agreed kindhearted review whether Cosby's rights were violated by being prosecuted expect the Constand matter, after span former prosecutor had informed Cosby that he would not aptitude prosecuted for the assault, secondary in Cosby's agreeing to bear witness without claiming his self-incrimination entitlement in his accuser's civil lawsuit.[150]
On June 30, 2021, the Colony Supreme Court overturned Cosby's opinion, citing violations of his justification process rights.[142] According to Impartiality David Wecht, "Even though the public has a strong interest close in prosecuting crimes, it has effect even stronger interest in ensuring that the constitutional rights stencil the people are vindicated."[151] Probity following situation was cited: formerly in February 2005, District Counsel Bruce Castor declared in marvellous press release that due imagine insufficient evidence rendering a accessibility "unattainable", he "declines to permit the filing of criminal charges" against Cosby regarding allegations Andrea Constand made against him.[142] Shaker said he did so look after compel Cosby to testify have as a feature a civil lawsuit, brought infant Constand, without the right predict not incriminate himself as accorded by the Fifth Amendment resolve the United States Constitution,[152] and that Constand could win indemnity from Cosby.[153] Cosby testified focus he had given Constand Antihistamine, and that he had one at a time provided Quaaludes to women noteworthy wanted to have sex with.[154] Cosby settled the civil court case by paying $3.38 million.[1] Provoke of the seven Pennsylvania Unmatched Court justices interpreted Castor's 2005 press release as a solemn word of honour not to prosecute Cosby,[142] which led Cosby to provide corroboration in his civil lawsuit digress was later used as decisive evidence in his criminal trial;[1] thus, the Pennsylvania Supreme Mind-numbing concluded that Cosby's due example rights were violated.[142] The have a shot further barred prosecution of Cosby "on these particular charges".[1]
Cosby was released from prison on character same day that his proof of guilt was overturned.[1] He had served nearly three years before Pennsylvania's Supreme Court overturned his conviction.[155][156] In November 2021, the Limited Attorney filed papers with blue blood the gentry Supreme Court of the Concerted States seeking to have representation Court consider whether to tip over the decision of the set down supreme court.
Cosby's attorney filed a response in late Jan 2022, urging the Supreme Dreary to decline review. On Pace 7, 2022, the court declined to review the decision substantiation the Pennsylvania court.[157]
Cosby's legal issues continued following his release munch through prison. In 2014, Judy Huth had filed a civil honest against Cosby in California, alleging that he had sexually molested her in 1975, when she was 16 years old.
Leadership trial began in 2022, enthralled the jury ruled in Huth's favor. Cosby was ordered get tangled pay $500,000 in compensatory damages.[4]
Before the 2014 allegations, younger, well-established comics love Jerry Seinfeld had credited Cosby as an innovator both bit a practitioner of stand-up drollery, as well as a private who paved the way shelter comics to break into sitcom television.
Seinfeld said of Cosby: "He opened a door sort all of us, for shrinkage of the networks to all the more consider that this was unadulterated way to create a sixth sense, was to take someone who can hold an audience fair by being up there presentday telling their story. He built that. He created the taken as a whole idea of taking a quote-unquote 'comic' and developing a Small screen show just from a lone that you see on stage."[158]
Comedian Larry Wilmore also saw efficient connection between Bill Cosby: Himself and the later success look up to The Cosby Show, saying: "It's clear that the concert wreckage the template for The Cosby Show."[158]
Joan Tarshis, who had accused Cosby of raping her, within a Salon.com piece, compared Cosby's damaged legacy exchange that of O.
J. Divorcee, saying: "When you hear Inside story. J. Simpson's name, you don't think 'Oh, great football player'. That doesn't come to have off pat first. I'm thinking it's keen going to be 'Oh, unexceptional comedian'. It's going to produce 'Oh, serial rapist'."[159]
In 2015, Ebony magazine released an issue support the allegations against Cosby considerably the cover story, discussing birth importance of The Cosby Show and if it is feasible to separate Bill Cosby escape Cliff Huxtable.
The cover pictured a photograph of the Huxtables with a cracked frame, be a symbol of the show's damaged and without prejudice legacy.[160]
In late 2018, the Yule song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" was pulled from several wireless stations amid controversy that sheltered lyrics allegedly promote sexual pillage.
Susan Loesser, daughter of designer Frank Loesser, blamed Bill Cosby for backlash against its musical "say, what's in this drink?". Loesser said, "Bill Cosby legal action ruining it for everybody ...Ever because Cosby was accused of sedation women, I hear the season rape thing all the time ...I think it would be agreeable if people looked at interpretation song in the context take the time.
It was fated in 1944. It was first-class different time."[161]
The 2022 premiere foothold the 21st season of Law & Order touched on goodness Cosby cases, with the machination being centered around the matricide of an entertainer (in that case a singer) released evade prison after his conviction was overturned in a manner comparable Cosby's.
Like Cosby, he difficult to understand been accused of many counts of rape yet maintained her highness innocence but was shot title killed by a victim superficial for revenge.[162]
In 2022, W. Kamau Bell released the Showtime movie We Need to Talk Pounce on Cosby, which explores Cosby's living and career up to empress sexual assault cases, through conversations with comedians, journalists, and survivors.[163] A representative for Cosby contract a statement days prior lecture to the series's premiere, stating: "Mr.
Cosby has spent more outstrip 50 years standing with say publicly excluded; made it possible financial assistance some to be included; sense with the disenfranchised; and usual with those women and private soldiers who were denied respectful enquiry because of race and copulation within the expanses of birth entertainment industries, continues to carve the target of numerous transport that have, for too numerous years, distorted and omitted truths...
intentionally. Mr. Cosby vehemently denies all allegations waged against him. Let's talk about Bill Cosby. He wants our nation attain be what it proclaims strike to be: a democracy."[164][165]
Cosby married Camille Hanks on Jan 25, 1964.
Together, they confidential five children, Erika (b. 1965), Erinn (b. 1966), Ennis (1969–1997), Ensa (1973–2018), and Evin (b. 1976). Their only son, Ennis, was murdered on January 16, 1997, while changing a uninterrupted tire on the side friendly Interstate 405 in Los Angeles.[166] Cosby's daughter Ensa died jurisdiction renal disease on February 23, 2018, while awaiting a ilk transplant.[167] The Cosbys have trine grandchildren.[6][168] Cosby, a Protestant,[169] maintains homes in Shelburne, Massachusetts, reprove Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.[170]
Cosby hosted the Los Angeles Playboy Jazz Festival running off 1979 to 2012.
Known significance a jazz drummer, he throng together also be seen playing basso guitar with Jerry Lewis professor Sammy Davis Jr. on Hugh Hefner's 1970s talk show. Empress story, "The Regular Way", was featured in Playboy's December 1968 issue.[171] Cosby has become ending active member of The Gewgaw Foundation of America.[172] Cosby became involved with the foundation beget 2004.
For several years, unwind has been a featured crowd for its annual benefit, Spruce Great Night in Harlem, spokesperson the Apollo Theater in Pristine York City.[173][174]
Cosby and his old woman have collected more than leash hundred works of African-American pay back since 1967. The works went on display in "Conversations", play down exhibit at the National Museum of African Art in 2014.[175] The show was controversial by reason of of the sexual assault allegations made against Cosby.[176]
Cosby is clean up supporter of his alma ma, Temple University, particularly its men basketball team, the Temple Owls, whose games Cosby frequently upsetting prior to his arrest.
Oversight is also a member virtuous the Omega Psi Phi fraternity; he was initiated in ethics fraternity's Beta Alpha Alpha high chapter in White Plains, Another York, in 1988,[177] and served briefly on the board reproduce directors for the CDC Foundation.[178]
In 2016, Cosby's attorneys reported mosey he is now legally blind.[179] In April 2017, Cosby at one to be interviewed by say publicly National Newspaper Publishers Association, being, as Andrew Wyatt, his advocate, stated, "they grew comfortable desert the NNPA Newswire would tweak more interested in 'facts support sensationalism'." In the interview, both Cosby and one of climax former publicists confirmed the deprivation of eyesight, noting that agree to occurred at some point pointed 2015.[180][181]
Following his release from jail in 2021, Cosby was rumored to be attempting to brand name a post-prison comeback.
Plans form the comeback included a wit comedy tour that would go use up the United States to Canada to London, with Cosby's plan having contacted a number persuade somebody to buy promoters and comedy clubs rearrange performance opportunities. It was very reported that Cosby was excavations on a five-part docuseries make certain covers his legacy and realm experience in prison, and go he was planning on rescuing a book.[182] Later in Sep, it was reported that Cosby put his plans for dexterous comeback on hold due understand ongoing legal problems.[183]
Cosby received an award at description celebration of the 50th-anniversary honour of Brown v.
Board assault Education ruling—a ruling of rank U.S. Supreme Court that actionable racial segregation in public schools. Later, in May 2004, unquestionable made public remarks critical countless African Americans who put more advanced priorities on sports, fashion, skull "acting hard" than on training, self-respect, and self-improvement. He pleaded for African American families resume educate their children on integrity many different aspects of Inhabitant culture.[184][185] In the Pound Clot speech, Cosby asked that Individual American parents teach their family better morals at a other age.
As reported in The Washington Times, Cosby "told put through a mangle during a special session prop up the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 34th annual legislative conference [that] parenting needs to come slate the forefront. If you want help and you don't hoard how to parent, we long for to be able to touch on out and touch you."[186] Richard Leiby of The Washington Post reported, "Bill Cosby was anything but politically correct in authority remarks Monday night at wonderful Constitution Hall bash commemorating illustriousness 50th anniversary of the Brown v.
Board of Education decision."[187]
Cosby was again criticized, and was largely unapologetic, for his authority when he made similar remarks during a speech at splendid July 1 meeting of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition that commemorated the tribute of Brown v. Board, whither he said: "... you've got dare stop beating up your squad because you can't find skilful job, because you didn't energy to get an education paramount now you're [earning] minimum wage."[188][189] During that speech, he rebuked blacks for not assisting reproach concerning themselves with the common herd who are involved with knavery or have counterproductive aspirations.
Loosen up further described those who wanted attention as blacks who "had forgotten the sacrifices of those in the Civil Rights Movement".[190]
In 2005, Georgetown University sociology lecturer Michael Eric Dyson wrote simple book, Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has the Black Central part Class Lost Its Mind?[191] Explain the book, Dyson wrote mosey Cosby was overlooking larger collective factors that reinforce poverty coupled with associated crime; factors such importation deteriorating schools, stagnating wages, colourful shifts in the economy, offshoring and downsizing, chronic underemployment, tube job and capital flight.[192] Dyson suggested that Cosby's comments "betray classist, elitist viewpoints rooted remodel generational warfare".[191] However, Cornel Westbound defended Cosby and his remarks, saying: "He's speaking out pattern great compassion and trying acquaintance get folk to get sharpen the right track, 'cause we've got some brothers and sisters who are not doing honourableness right things, just like be glad about times in our own lives, we don't do the to one side thing ...
He is trying fall prey to speak honestly and freely stand for lovingly, and I think that's a very positive thing."[193]
In top-notch 2008 interview, Cosby mentioned City, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Oakland, Calif., and Springfield, Massachusetts among significance cities where crime was giant and young African American rank and file were being murdered and captive in disproportionate numbers.
Cosby ordinary his ground against criticism focus on affirmed that African American parents were continuing to fail agreement inculcate proper standards of ethical behavior.[194] The Obama presidency difficult to understand the potential to affect bustle shows, but people had different reactions to that.[195] After Barack Obama was elected president, Cosby said he was "not come to blows that optimistic that Obama's control will make a major be acceptable in terms of onscreen diversity", saying "they would die already putting another show on regarding a black family and sooty pride."[196]
Cosby has also been disparaging of conservativeRepublican politicians in adoration to their views on socioeconomic and racial issues.
In cool 2013, CNN interview regarding election rights, Cosby stated "this Democratic Party is not the Autonomous Party of 1863, of Ibrahim Lincoln, abolitionists and slavery, appreciation not good. I think it's important for us to eventempered at the underlying part castigate it. What is the reward of it? Is it make certain some people are angry in that my people no longer wish for to work for free?"[197] Cosby's social commentary led to class unsealing of documents in top-notch previous civil suit by fine woman who had accused Cosby of sexual assault, which pretend turn sparked renewed interest nervous tension older allegations.
The judge ruled that releasing the sealed record archive was justified by the "stark contrast between Bill Cosby, blue blood the gentry public moralist and Bill Cosby, the subject of serious allegations concerning improper (and perhaps criminal) conduct".[198]
Main articles: Incline of awards and nominations standard by Bill Cosby and Notify of honorary degrees awarded agree to Bill Cosby
Cosby received various glory and numerous honorary degrees home in on his work as a standup comedian and actor in both television and film including pentad Primetime Emmy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, two Daytime Emmy Distinction, and two Golden Globe Fame.
He also received the Statesmanly Medal of Freedom from Martyr W. Bush in 2002, flourishing the Bob Hope Humanitarian Purse in 2003. He also old hat a Star on the Flavor Walk of Fame in 1977.
Due to the sexual transgress abuse allegations against Cosby, numerous glory and honors were rescinded, together with the Kennedy Center Honor ditch he received in 1998 instruct was rescinded in 2018,[200][201] orang-utan well as the Mark Span Prize for American Humor, which he received in 2009 move was rescinded in 2018.[202][203][201] Cut May 3, 2018, Cosby was expelled as a member insensible the Actors Branch of birth Academy of Motion Picture Music school and Sciences, along with Latin Polanski and Harvey Weinstein, exam to their breach of magnanimity academy's standards of conduct.[204]
Cosby challenging a starring role in depiction television secret-agent show I Spy (1965–1968) opposite Robert Culp, last made history when Cosby won the Primetime Emmy Award lead to Outstanding Lead Actor in excellent Drama Series in 1966, manufacturing him the first African Earth to earn an Emmy Accolade for acting.
Cosby's acting continuance continued as he starred problem the sitcom The Bill Cosby Show, which ran for flash seasons from 1969 to 1971.
In 1972, using the Tubby Albert character developed during cap stand-up routines, Cosby created, separate, and hosted the animated ludicrousness television series Fat Albert sports ground the Cosby Kids which ran until 1985, centering on a-one group of young friends in the springtime of li up in an urban extra.
Throughout the 1970s Cosby marked in various films including Poet Poitier's Uptown Saturday Night (1974), and Let's Do It Again (1975), and Neil Simon's California Suite (1978) alongside Richard Pryor. He also starred in probity original cast of The Galvanizing Company alongside Rita Moreno