Bill Cosby
Birth Name:
William Henry Cosby
Birth Place:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Profession
Actor, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack, Music department, Director
Fast Facts
- Was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 1991
- Has received several honorary doctorates, including ones from Berklee College, Boston University, Baylor University, and the University of Southern California
- Began honing his talent for comedy while bartending at a Philadelphia club during college
- Was influenced by comics like Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen
- Quote: "A word to the wise ain't necessary․ It's the stupid ones who need the advice․"
- Quote: "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone․"
- Often integrates stories of his childhood and fatherhood into his work onscreen
- Is a former part-owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors, which he bought for sentimental reasons because the team originated in Philadelphia
- The character Dr․ Hibbert on "The Simpsons" was inspired by his character Dr․ Cliff Huxtable from "The Cosby Show․"
- Wanted "The Cosby Show" to be filmed in New York because he disliked working in Hollywood
Awards
- 1966Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series:Winner
- 1967Golden Globe - Best TV Star - Male:Nominated
- 1967Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series:Winner
- 1968Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series:Winner
- 1970Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Variety or Musical Program - Variety and Popular Music:Nominated
- 1970Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 1970Primetime Emmy - Outstanding New Series:Nominated
- 1970Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Comedy Series:Nominated
- 1971Image Award - Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture:Nominated
- 1973Golden Globe - Best TV Actor - Comedy or Musical:Nominated
- 1975Image Award - Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture:Nominated
- 1976Image Award - Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture:Winner
- 1981Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming - Performers:Winner
- 1985Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical:Winner
- 1985TCA Award - Outstanding Achievement in Comedy:Nominated
- 1985Q Award - Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series:Winner
- 1986Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
- 1986Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical:Winner
- 1986Q Award - Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series:Winner
- 1987BMI TV Music Award - BMI TV Music Award:Winner
- 1987Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical:Nominated
- 1987Stinker Award - Worst Picture:Nominated
- 1988BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1988BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1988Blimp Award - Favorite TV Actor:Nominated
- 1988Razzie Award - Worst Picture:Winner
- 1988Razzie Award - Worst Actor:Winner
- 1988Razzie Award - Worst Screenplay:Winner
- 1989BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1989BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1990BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1990BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1991BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1991BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1992BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1992BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1992Blimp Award - Favorite TV Actor:Winner
- 1993Image Award - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:Winner
- 1993Blimp Award - Favorite TV Actor:Winner
- 1997BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1998BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1999TV Guide Award - Favorite Actor in a Comedy:Nominated
- 2000TV Guide Award - Favorite Actor in a Comedy:Nominated
- 2001Image Award - Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special:Winner
- 2002Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Special Class Animated Program:Nominated
- 2004Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Children's Animated Program:Winner
- 2011Impact AwardWinner