Bill Cosby, an African-American entertainer, author, educator, and businessperson, was born on this date in 1937.
William Henry Cosby, Jr., was born in Germantown, PA. He attended college on a football scholarship at Temple University. He received his master’s and doctorate in education, from the University of Massachusetts. He entered show business as a stand up comedian at the Gaslight Cafe, New York (1962), but his career took off with “I Spy,” (1965-1968). It was here that Cosby became the first African-American to star in a dramatic series on television. In 1965, Cosby married Camille Hanks; the couple has five children.
Cosby has amassed a global reputation through his diverse media using records, books, television, and film. He has affected society as a humanitarian. It is here that his humor connected with real life situations separates him from many of his peers. His television credits include: “I Spy,” “The Bill Cosby Show” (1969-1971), “The New Bill Cosby Show” (1972-1973), “The Cosby Show” (1984-1992), “You Bet Your Life” (1992-1993), and “Cosby” (1996-Present). His movies credits are: “To All My Friends On Shore” (1971) “Hickey & Boggs” (1972) “Man and Boy” (1972) “Uptown Saturday Night” (1974) “Let’s Do It Again” (1975) “Mother, Jugs & Speed” (1976) “A Piece of the Action” (1977) “California Suite” (1978) “Top Secret” (1978) “The Devil and Max Devlin” (1981) “Bill Cosby — Himself” (1982) “Leonard Part 6” (1987) “Ghost Dad” (1990) “The Meteor Man” (1993) “I Spy Returns” (1994)and “Jack” (1996).
He and his wife have donated $20 million to Spelman College. He owns an extensive collection of art by African-Americans. Cosby’s list of honors include four Emmy awards, eight Grammy awards, the NAACP Image Award, and induction into the the Hall of Fame of the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences.
As a civic activist he is president of the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, a board member of Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, a board member of United Negro College Fund, and a board member of Operation PUSH. Without question, the tragedy of his life was the death of his son, Ennis, who was shot to death in 1997 while changing a tire on a Los Angeles freeway.
Cosby had affair during the 1970’s with Shawn Upshaw, mother of Autumn Jackson, but insists he is not Jackson’s father; the 22-year-old was recently sentenced to 18 months in prison for trying to extort $40 million from Cosby by threatening to give her story to tabloids. He became very wealthy, and became a benefactor primarily to African American groups.
Bill Cosby remains one of the most visible African-Americans in the last 50 years. Recently, Cosby has taken significant milestones in African-American history to convey “tough love” for his community, a point of view that is controversial among the Black population. He says, “My biggest cry is for us to really reflect on who we are. Who are we in our manhood? Who are we in our responsibility to the black woman and the black child?”
In 2005, he released his newest book, “I Am What I Ate and I’m Frightened.” It offers a hip, humorous, hard-earned wisdom on the healthy lifestyle and the behavior behind it.