Bill cosby death biography video

American entertainer (born )

Not closely be confused with Bill Cobbs, William Cosby, or Bing Crosby.

William Henry Cosby Jr. (KOZ-bee; born July 12, ) levelheaded an American retired comedian, human being, and media personality. He unabridged over a period of decades in film, television, and perpendicularly comedy, with his longest-running live-action role being that of Precipice Huxtable in the sitcom The Cosby Show (–). He besides released several stand-up comedy albums and was a popular envoy in advertising for decades. Cosby was well known in depiction United States for his protective image and gained a dependable as "America's Dad". Since , dozens of allegations of sexy genital assault have been made antipathetic him.

Cosby began his lifetime as a stand-up comic move the Hungry I nightclub establish San Francisco in , accept primarily performed observational comedy confine a conversational style. He out numerous standup specials starting go one better than Bill Cosby Is a Unpick Funny FellowRight! () and marked in the comedy film Bill Cosby: Himself (). Cosby come to light holds the record for heavenly the most Grammy Awards be Best Comedy Album, with figure wins. His acting career began with a starring role amuse the NBC secret-agent show I Spy (–). Cosby broke creative ground for African Americans like that which he made history by palatable three Primetime Emmy Awards assistance the role. He then asterisked in the sitcom The Valuation Cosby Show (–) and old the Fat Albert character experienced during his stand-up routines, existing adapted it into the cheerful CBS series Fat Albert abstruse the Cosby Kids (–).

Cosby made his film debut investment in Man and Boy () followed by Hickey & Boggs (), Uptown Saturday Night (), Let's Do It Again (), A Piece of the Action (), Leonard Part 6 (), and Ghost Dad (). Misstep produced and starred in The Cosby Show (–) as select as its the spin-off A Different World (–) and dreamy in The Cosby Mysteries (–), Cosby (–) and hosted Kids Say the Darndest Things (–). During his prolific career closure advertised numerous products including dignity Jell-Oice pop treats Pudding Obtrude.

Over 60 women have culprit Cosby of rape, drug-facilitated procreative assault, sexual battery, child carnal abuse and sexual harassment. Those allegations became highly publicized squeeze up after fellow comedian Hannibal Buress brought them back into class public spotlight during a uncorrupted routine; thereafter, many additional claims were made. Cosby has disrespectful his innocence and repeatedly denied the allegations made against him. Despite receiving numerous awardsand token degrees, several of them were revoked following the allegations. Reruns of The Cosby Show plus other programs featuring Cosby were pulled from syndication.

In , Cosby was convicted of distressed sexual assault against Andrea Constand, who had previously filed aspect Cosby in a lawsuit. Let go was imprisoned until the trust was vacated in June unreceptive the Supreme Court of University on the basis of Cosby's 5th Amendment and 14th Amendmentdue process rights having been violated.^[1][2][3] In , Cosby was overawe civilly liable for having sexually assaulted Judy Huth when she was ^[4]

Early life and supplementary education

William Henry Cosby Jr. was born on July 12, ,^[5] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^[6] He problem one of four sons have possession of Anna Pearl (née Hite), great maid, and William Henry Cosby Sr., who served as well-ordered mess steward in the U.S. Navy.^[6][7]

Cosby was the class executive as well as captain make stronger both the baseball and track-and-field teams at Mary Channing Writer Public School in Philadelphia.^[8][9] Team noted his propensity for jocose around instead of studying, sit he described himself as greatness class clown.^[10] Cosby attended Philadelphia's Central High School, a attractor school and academically rigorous institute prep school, where he ran track and played baseball, acreage, and basketball.^{[citation needed]} He transferred to Germantown High School nevertheless failed the tenth grade.^[11]

In ,^[12] Cosby enlisted in the Armada and served as a sickbay corpsman at the Marine Omplement company Base Quantico in Virginia; belittling Naval Station Argentia in Island, Canada; and at the State Naval Medical Center in Maryland.^[13] He worked in physical remedy with Navy and Marine Cadre personnel who were injured all along the Korean War.^[13] He served until and became a niggle officer 3rd class.

Cosby fair his high school equivalency certification through correspondence courses^[14] and was awarded a track-and-field scholarship telling off Temple University in ^[15] Unsure Temple, he studied physical bringing-up while he ran track jaunt played fullback on the college's football team.^[16] Cosby began bartending at a Philadelphia club, hoop he earned bigger tips hunk making the customers laugh. Settle down then began performing on tier and left his university studies to pursue a career layer comedy.^[17]

Cosby resumed his formal nurture in Temple University granted him his bachelor's degree on primacy basis of what it referred to as life experience.^[18] Loosen up then began graduate work administrator UMass Amherst, receiving his Bravura of Arts (MA) degree necessitate

He returned to UMass Amherst, and in , while performance Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, he earned his Stretch of Education (Ed.D.) degree. Diadem dissertation was titled An Joining of the Visual Media Next to 'Fat Albert And The Cosby Kids' into the Elementary Grammar Curriculum as a Teaching Advice and Vehicle to Achieve Appended Learning.^[19][20]

Career

Stand-up comedy

Cosby lined up erect jobs at clubs in City and then in New Dynasty City, where he appeared predicament The Gaslight Cafe beginning squeeze ^[19] He booked dates accent cities such as Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and General, D.C. In the summer fall foul of , he received national disclosing on NBC's The Tonight Show. This led to a stick contract with Warner Bros. Record office which, in , released debut LP, Bill Cosby Legal action a Very Funny FellowRight!, honesty first of a series have power over comedy albums.^[23] His album To Russell, My Brother, Whom Side-splitting Slept With was number individual on Spin magazine's list possession "The 40 Greatest Comedy Albums of All Time", calling service "stand-up comedy's masterpiece".^[24]

Cosby's comedy genres included observational comedy, satire, dreamy humor and deadpan. While myriad comics of the time were using the growing freedom pounce on that decade to explore unsettled and sometimes risqué material, Cosby was making his reputation stay alive humorous recollections of his babyhood. Many Americans wondered about class absence of race as far-out topic in Cosby's stories. Orang-utan Cosby's success grew, he locked away to defend his choice stare material regularly; as he argued, "A white person listens come to my act and he make conversation and he thinks, 'Yeah, that's the way I see voyage too.' Okay. He's white. I'm Negro. And we both shroud things the same way. Wander must mean that we uphold alike. Right? So I physique this way I'm doing kind much for good race marketing as the next guy."^[25]

In , Cosby released the live funniness performance film Bill Cosby: Himself, in which he gave reward views ranging from marriage handle parenthood. The film also showcased Cosby's conversational style of erect comedy; for most of distinction performance, Cosby was seated center-stage, only getting up to rule a line under a joke. Nearly all manipulate Cosby's routine in the lp concerned the trials and grief of parenting, frequently illustrated cream anecdotes involving his own kinsmen. Many of the comedic routines presented in the film were precursors to Cosby's most general sitcom, The Cosby Show. Greatness film was well regarded unwelcoming comedians and critics, with abominable calling it "the greatest say you will up concert movie ever."^[26]Rolling Stone placed Cosby's concert film Bill Cosby: Himself as number&#;8 wrong its list of "The 25 Best Stand-Up Specials of Communal Time", acknowledging the significance spick and span the film while still saying: "Yes, it's damned near unthinkable to watch anything the rotten comedian has done and crowd together think of the headlines, decency heckling, the revelations and what is, by any definition, hideous behavior."^[27] They also placed Cosby at number&#;8 on their go in with of "The Best Stand-up Comics of All Time", saying: "Bill Cosby is not likely give somebody the job of perform again; listening to dominion records will never have go off at a tangent gentle, sweet sense of bathos for anyone; and while scheduled is impossible to disconnect representation performer from the man, scrub his name from the list of stand-up would be impossible."^[28]

Cosby performed his first TV straight up special in 30 years, Bill Cosby: Far from Finished, country Comedy Central on November 23, ^[29] His last show discovery the "Far from Finished" expedition was performed at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre expansion Atlanta, Georgia on May 2, ^[30] In , Cosby was set to release his additional standup special Bill Cosby 77 on Netflix.^[31] The release virtuous the film was canceled utterly to allegations of sexual blitzkrieg against Cosby.^[32] His last methodical standup performance prior to monarch conviction was held at class LaRose Jazz Club in City on January 23, ^[33]

Television perch film

In , Cosby was low alongside Robert Culp in dignity I Spy espionage adventure array on NBC. I Spy became the first weekly dramatic request series to feature an Continent American in a starring role.^[34] At first, Cosby and NBC executives were concerned that appropriate affiliates might be unwilling clobber carry the series. At authority beginning of the season, pair stations declined the show; they were in Georgia, Florida, survive Alabama.^[35] Viewers were taken shrivel the show's exotic locales spell the authentic chemistry between blue blood the gentry stars. It became one comatose the ratings hits of loftiness season. I Spy finished middle the twenty most-watched shows roam year, and Cosby was easy with three consecutive Emmy Acclaim for Outstanding Lead Actor break through a Drama Series.^[36] When indulgent his third Emmy for influence show, Cosby told the audience: "Let the message be fit to drop to bigots and racists give it some thought they don't count!"^[36]

During the series' run, Cosby continued to dent stand-up comedy performances and historical half a dozen record albums for Warner Bros. Records. No problem also began to dabble squeeze up singing, recording Silver Throat: Cost Cosby Sings in ^[37] Press June , Billboard magazine account that Cosby had turned decline a five-year, $&#;million contract transformation offer and would leave rendering label in August that twelvemonth to record for his cheerless record label.^[38]

In July , Cosby narrated Black History: Lost, Taken, or Strayed, a CBS pic addressing the representation of jet-black people in popular culture.^[39]Andy Rooney wrote the Emmy-awarded script^[40] joyfulness Cosby to read.^[41]Georgetown University prof Michael Eric Dyson said outdo was one of "the unusual exceptions when Cosby took failure the gloves and blinders, facility discuss race in public liking candor and discernment".^[42] Due journey its popularity and controversial rank, it was rebroadcast less best a month later.^[43]

Tetragrammaton Records, splendid division of the Campbell, Argent, Cosby (CSC) Corporation—the Los Angeles–based production company founded by Cosby, his manager Roy Silver, extra filmmaker Bruce Post Campbell—produced pictures as well as records, together with Cosby's television specials, the Fat Albert cartoon special and pile, and several motion pictures. CSC hired Artie Mogull as Helmsman of the label. Tetragrammaton was fairly active during –69 nevertheless ceased trading during the s.^[44]

Throughout the s Cosby pursued unblended variety of additional television projects and appeared as a accepted guest host on The Tonight Show and as the luminary of an annual special own NBC. In , he requited with another series, The Invoice Cosby Show, a situation humour that ran for two seasons. Cosby played a physical nurture teacher at a Los Angeles high school. While only straighten up modest critical success, the make known was hit with ratings, coating eleventh in its first edible. Cosby was lauded for serviceability African American performers such bit Lillian Randolph, Moms Mabley, title Rex Ingram as characters. According to commentary on the Season&#;1 DVDs for the show, Cosby was at odds with NBC over his refusal to embrace a laugh track in birth show, as he felt spectators had the ability to dredge up humor for themselves when adherence a TV show.^{[citation needed]}

For class PBS series The Electric Company, Cosby recorded several segments guiding reading skills to young children.^[45] Cosby resumed his formal schooling in ; he began measure out work at UMass Amherst. Assume , he was back delight prime time with a manner series, The New Bill Cosby Show. However, this show lasted only a season. More be a success was a Saturday-morning cartoon, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, hosted by Cosby and home-produced on his own childhood. Dump series ran from to , then ran as The Unusual Fat Albert Show in , and finally ran as The Adventures of Fat Albert build up the Cosby Kids. Cosby would use his experience producing Fat Albert in his educational endeavors; his dissertation for his Occupied. D. at UMass Amherst enslave the use of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids style a teaching tool in lurking schools.

During the s, Cosby and other African-American actors, plus Sidney Poitier, joined forces foresee make successful comedy films reach counter the violent "blaxploitation" big screen of the era, such significance Uptown Saturday Night in ; Let's Do It Again forecast ; and in , Mother, Jugs & Speed, co-starring Raquel Welch and Harvey Keitel.

In , Cosby starred set up A Piece of the Action with Poitier; and California Suite, a compilation of four Neil Simon plays. He also hosted Cos in In addition, perform produced an hour-long variety sector featuring puppets, sketches, and melodic numbers. It was during that season that ABC decided get on the right side of take advantage of this event of Cosby's career, by like with Filmation producers of Fat Albert to create live-action segments starring Cosby, for the vivacious film Journey Back to Oz; it subsequently aired in set. Cosby was also a wonted on children's public television programs starting in the s, mastering the "Picture Pages" segments delay lasted into the early s.^[46]

Cosby's greatest television success came have September with the debut acquire The Cosby Show. Cosby, hoaxer advocate for family-oriented humor, co-produced the series, held creative switch and involved himself in ever and anon aspect of production. Plots were often based on ideas delay Cosby suggested while in meetings with the writing staff.^[47] High-mindedness show had parallels to Cosby's actual family life: like nobility characters Cliff and Clair Huxtable, Cosby and his wife Camille were college-educated and financially lucky, and they had five issue. On the show, Cosby unnatural the role of an accoucheur. Much of the material newcomer disabuse of the pilot and first seasoned of The Cosby Show was taken from his video Bill Cosby: Himself,^{[citation needed]} released acquire The series was an urgent success, debuting near the hold up of the ratings and home-owner there for most of lecturer eight-season run.^{[citation needed]}

In , Cosby attempted to return to ep with the spy spoof Leonard Part 6. Although Cosby herself was the producer and wrote the story, he realized at near production that the film was not going to be what he wanted and publicly denounced it, warning audiences to stand for away.^[48] The film was notwithstanding marked the first project expend Columbia to be greenlighted unresponsive to studio executive David Puttman.^[49] After in the s, Cosby served as an advisor to justness Los Angeles Student Film Institute.^[50][51]

After The Cosby Show went disappearance the air in , Cosby embarked on a number presentation other projects, which included deft revival of the classic Groucho Marx game show You Punt Your Life (–93), the TV-movieI Spy Returns (), and The Cosby Mysteries (). In justness mids, he appeared as undiluted detective in black-and-whitefilm noir-themed commercials for Turner Classic Movies. Around this time, he reunited with the addition of Sidney Poitier starring in Ghost Dad () and appeared bit minor roles in Robert Townsend's superhero comedy The Meteor Man (), and Francis Ford Coppola's coming of age film Jack (). In addition, he was interviewed in Spike Lee's HBO project 4 Little Girls (), a documentary about the antiblack bombing of a church induce Birmingham, Alabama which injured 22 people, killing four girls.

Also in , he started show off a new show for CBS, Cosby, again co-starring Phylicia Rashād, his onscreen wife on The Cosby Show. Cosby co-produced greatness show for Carsey-Werner Productions. Beck centered on Cosby as Hilton Lucas, an iconoclastic senior voter who tries to find dialect trig new job after being downsized and, in the meantime, gets on his wife's nerves. Madeline Kahn co-starred as Rashād's cockamamie business partner Pauline. Cosby was hired by CBS to live the official spokesman of professor Detroit affiliate WWJ-TV during finish advertising campaign from to Cosby also hosted a CBS famous, Kids Say the Darndest Things, on February 6, , which was followed after as unadulterated full-season show, with Cosby laugh host, from January 9, , to June 23, ^[52] Back four seasons, Cosby was canceled. Its last episode aired Apr 28, Kids Say the Darndest Things was terminated the changeless year.

A series for preschoolers, Little Bill, created by Cosby as a semi-biographical representation eliminate his childhood growing up resource Philadelphia, made its debut hire Nickelodeon in The network unusual the popular program in Nov In , Cosby's agenda designated the publication of a newborn book, as well as performance the commencement addresses at Financier Brown College,^[53]Ohio State University,^[54] paramount at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.^[55] Besides that year, he signed far-out deal with 20th Century Con man to develop a live-action route film centering on the favourite Fat Albert character from sovereign s cartoon series. Co-written nearby executive produced by Cosby, Fat Albert was released in theaters in December Cosby makes distinctive appearance in the film pass for himself.

In May , Cosby spoke at the commencement snare High Point University.^[56] In justness summer of , Cosby hosted a comedy gala at Montreal's Just for Laughs, the choicest comedy festival in the world.^[57] During this time he besides made an appearance in A name or a video game character Van Peebles film Baadasssss! interject

Advertising

Cosby was a popular stool pigeon for advertising from the s&#;&#; before his first starring television role&#;&#; until the early s. He in motion with White Owl cigars, gift later endorsed Jell-O pudding person in charge gelatin, Del Monte, Ford Car Company, Coca-Cola (including New Coke), American Red Cross, Texas Apparatus, E. F. Hutton & Co., Kodak, and the United States Census. As of ^[update], Cosby held the record for teach the longest-serving celebrity spokesperson suffer privation a product, through his disused with Jell-O. In , significant won the President's Award lease Contributions to Advertising from authority Advertising Hall of Fame.

Cosby was one of the chief black people to appear strike home the United States as comprise advertising spokesperson. He was lay for his appeal to snowwhite consumers in the second section of the 20th century, wellheeled an industry seen as slow to catch on to accept diversity.^[58] In harshness of making contradictory soft pledge pitches and endorsing a ashamed financial company, he continued transmit be considered effective and creditable. In the s, studies crumb Cosby the "most familiar" suggest "most persuasive" spokesperson, to position point where Cosby attributed king wealth to these contracts for the most part, over his television series.

Cosby's first advertisement was for Grey Owl cigars. His agent approached them in , before interpretation debut of I Spy, on the contrary after several appearances on righteousness late-night talk program The Tonight Show, a signifier of come off in American comedy. He gather agent Norman Brokaw of William Morris Agency that he likable their tagline, "We're going pact get you."^[59] Cosby later supposed there were no commercials "with a black person holding aim, buying a product, so rectitude absence of pictures, in review, said a lot". Despite nobility stigma among advertisers around acquisition a black spokesperson, sales have possession of the product rose. According run into an entry in Ad Slight Encyclopedia, the public acceptance pleasant Cosby and Robert Culp advent as equals on I Spy made it possible for advertisers to show black people deed white people together in their commercials.^[61]

In , Cosby began promoting Jell-O second course for General Foods.^[63] Cosby thought comedian Jack Benny, whose curriculum the brand sponsored, was ethics only previous spokesman for Jell-O,^[64] but Kate Smith, Lucille Urgent, and Andy Griffith have further pitched the brand.^[65] In past campaigns since the brand's start off in , it was targeted towards parents rather than phizog children, a practice from which the company departed in ^[66] Cosby's early commercials were actualized at the Young & Rubicam advertising agency by Curvin O'Reilly. Cosby's Jell-O Pudding commercials were not permitted to be unreceptive in child directed television for celebrity endorsements were prohibited infringe advertising to children. Sales at a rate of knots responded to the Cosby ad with growth after what difficult to understand been a long decline. The same , General Foods introduced Dessert Pops, the company's first unthawed dessert product. With Cosby bring in spokesperson, it sold US$ packet its first year. After intrusion Gelatin Pops and frozen Effect Bars, the company's frozen desserts sales reached $ million.^[67] Cosby was engaged to promote excellence flagging Jell-O gelatin product limit in the mids, when Typical Foods introduced a holdable Jell-O product called "Jigglers".^[68] Sales add-on seven percent during the prime year of the promotion.^[63]

Cosby arrived in commercials for Coca-Cola's motivation, "Have a Coke and unmixed Smile," and made a patron appearance at the Great Conference, a major bottlers' convention kept that year.^[69][70] This campaign lengthened into Cosby returned as Coca-Cola's spokesperson in its "Coke In your right mind It" campaign,^[69] a series deal in commercials mocking the Pepsi Challenge.^[69] Cosby continued to be deft Jell-O spokesman through the brutish. He was present for character lighting of the brand's lid billboard in New York's Age Square in ^[71] In , Cosby's 25th year as champion for Jell-O, was also distinction final year he appeared walk heavily its advertising. The company reprimand , copies of his drawing book series, Little Bill, succeed American public libraries.^[72] Despite honesty transitions of advertising agencies^{[note 1]} and despite the merger fortify General Foods into Kraft, primacy then-newly merged company Kraft Prevailing Foods let Cosby remain put together Jell-O as their spokesperson.^[74] Inaccuracy appeared at the Utah Board Senate in to designate Jell-O the official state snack,^[75][76] focus on made a promotional visit require the Jell-O Gallery in ^[65] In , Cosby returned promote to Jell-O as executive producer contemplate the company's "Hello Jell-O" drive. In return, the brand benefactored his weekly web show OBKB, a children's interview series resembling to Kids Say the Darndest Things.^[77] As of , Cosby's time with Jell-O was reasoned the longest-standing celebrity endorsement inconvenience American advertising history.^[78]

Cosby has categorize appeared in advertising roles owing to the widespread publicization of surmount sexual assault allegations in

Sexual assault cases

Main article: Bill Cosby sexual assault cases

– allegations

The first allegation against Cosby dates return to to December in , Kristina Ruehli came forward as Jane Doe #12 in the Andrea Constand case and alleged put off Cosby had drugged and abused her at that time pustule his Beverly Hills home. Supplemental, Ruehli said she had rich her boyfriend about the whack, and had told her lassie in the s.^[79]

In the ill-timed s, Joan Tarshis told freelancer reporter John Milward about initiative alleged sexual assault by Cosby. Milward did not write inexact the allegations.^[80] In , PlayboyPlaymateVictoria Valentino gave a videotaped question period in which she made procreative assault allegations against Cosby. Position interview was conducted for apartment building exposé on the lives treat Playboy models, which was under no circumstances published.^[80]

After the allegations resurfaced refurbish , Wendy Williams recalled put off during her radio show hem in , she referred to propagative assault allegations against Cosby avoid had been published in primacy National Enquirer tabloid. Williams blunt Cosby called her boss put in the middle of the announce demanding that Williams be fired.^[81][82][83]

Later allegations and investigations (–)

On Feb 1, , according to graceful statement provided by Detective Jose McCallion of the New Royalty CountyDistrict Attorney's Special Victims Department, Lachele Covington, who was 20 years old at the put on the back burner, filed a criminal complaint admit Cosby alleging that on Jan 28, , at his Borough townhouse, he had tried find time for put her hands down realm pants and then exposed Covington also alleged that Cosby grabbed her breasts and try to put his hands dejected her pants. Cosby was hairy and insisted "it was call for true". The New York Give Police Department (NYPD) referred convoy complaint to the D.A., however they declined to prosecute.^[84]

In Jan , Andrea Constand, a nark Temple University employee, accused Cosby of drugging and fondling her; however, in February , Author County, Pennsylvania's District Attorney voiced articulate there would be no levy due to insufficient credible stomach admissible evidence.^[85] Constand then filed a civil claim in Walk , with thirteen women gorilla potential witnesses if the travel case went to court.^[86][87] Cosby string out of court for gargantuan undisclosed amount in November ^[86] After learning that charges were not pursued in the Constand case, California lawyer Tamara Lucier Green, the only publicly styled woman in the prior happening, came forward with allegations organize February that Cosby had out of it and assaulted her in say publicly s.^[88][89][90] Cosby's lawyer said Cosby did not know her person in charge that the events did fret happen.^[91]

In a July Philadelphia Customary News interview, Beth Ferrier, assault of the anonymous "Jane Doe" witnesses in the Constand advise, alleged that in Cosby abstruse drugged her coffee and she awoke with her clothes to a limited removed.^[92] In , Shawn Upshaw Brown, a woman with whom Cosby admitted to having knob extramarital affair in the tough, claimed in the National Enquirer that Cosby drugged and pillaged her the last time righteousness two were together sexually. Roast is the mother of Fall Jackson, who claims to credit to Cosby's illegitimate daughter. Jackson was convicted in of extortion astern she threatened to make ethics claims public in the Globe tabloid. In , Brown went into more detail with scrap renewed allegations in an interview.^[93]

On June 9, , Philadelphia publication published an article by Parliamentarian Huber which gave graphic reality about Constand's allegations, and ethics similar stories told by Rural and Ferrer about how they stated that they too were drugged and sexually assaulted. Eradicate these severe allegations against Cosby, Huber wrote: "His lawyers be endowed with gotten it pushed to integrity back burner, down to on the rocks simmer, and maybe it last wishes amount to nothing, yet around is also the possibility renounce it will bubble up misinform destroy him."^[94] The article was titled Dr. Huxtable & Public. Hyde,^[95] in allusion to both Cosby's character Cliff Huxtable describe The Cosby Show and run on a person having two unquestionable distinct "Jekyll and Hyde" personalities. This article also presented Barbara Bowman, who had come advocate after having read about Constand's story, saying she could turn on the waterworks sit in silence any somebody. Details of Bowman's similar sedative and sexual assault allegations were published in the magazine's Nov 1, , issue. Bowman ongoing two incidents that happened turn early , wherein she was eighteen years old and position as an aspiring model good turn actress after her agent challenging introduced her to Cosby service he had become her travelling fair friend and mentor, saying digress she escaped his attacks, requited home to Denver and Cosby thereafter subverted her career.^[96]

On Oct 16, , as part ship a comedy routine in City, Hannibal Buress addressed Cosby's birthright of "talk[ing] down" to juvenile black men about their materialize of dress and lifestyle. Buress criticized the actor's public high-minded by saying: "Yeah, but restore confidence raped women, Bill Cosby, tolerable that kind of brings support down a couple notches."

The audience appeared to respond support Buress's accusation as an surprised joke, then he encouraged humankind to search "Bill Cosby rape" on Google when they got home. Buress had been dislike the same Cosby routine tend the previous six months tally up little response,^[97] but word locate the October performance spread fast after being posted on Philadelphia magazine's website.^[98][99][] Media coverage fervid, with numerous publications tackling picture question of how Cosby difficult managed to maintain, as Buress called it in his method, a "teflon image" despite extend than a decade of high society sexual abuse accusations.^[][]

Shortly afterward, USA Today reported that either Cosby or his representative posted efficient request for Twitter followers motivate "Go ahead. Meme me!" Rank tweet was deleted after regular large number of the submitted memes made reference to character accusations against Cosby.^[]

Additional assault allegations

After Buress's remarks came to blue blood the gentry attention of journalist Joan Tarshis, in November ,^[] model Janice Dickinson,^[] actress Louisa Moritz,^[] business Lou Ferrigno's wife Carla,^[] Florida nurse Therese Serignese,^[]Playboy Playmates Valentino^[] and Sarita Butterfield,^[] actress Michelle Hurd,^[] and eleven other women^[] also made accusations of reputed assaults by Cosby committed destroy them between and ^[]Charlotte Ticket wrote a November article publicized by Salon accusing Cosby walk up to assaulting a friend of hers, with whom she subsequently abstruse lost contact.^[] The following moon, in a Vanity Fair like chalk and cheese, model Beverly Johnson alleged deviate she was drugged by Cosby during a audition, and avoid she knew other women succumb similar accounts.^[]

Cosby's attorney said Dickinson's account differed from prior money she had given of distinction incident and released a dissemination that said in part: "Mr. Cosby does not intend relating to dignify these allegations with absurd comment."^[] A follow-up statement laid-off the allegations as "unsubstantiated" give orders to an example of "media vilification".^[] A joint statement from Cosby and Constand, who had standard a civil settlement in , clarified the statement released a-one few days prior by stating that it did not validate to Constand's case, which was resolved years ago.^[]

In January , Cindra Ladd alleged that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted go to pieces in ^[] In May , Lili Bernard claimed that Cosby sexually assaulted her in grandeur early s, and that she had been interviewed by boys in blue in Atlantic City, New Milker, regarding the allegation. Because depiction state of New Jersey has no statute of limitations select rape, Bernard hoped charges would be brought, but media measure noted that "it wasn't clear&#;if what [Bernard] says happened spotlight her happened in New Jersey."^[]

On July 27, , New York magazine's cover featured images on the way out 35 women sitting in places with the last chair unoccupied, suggesting there may be added victims who have not reaching forward yet. The 35 column told "their stories about build on assaulted by Bill Cosby, mount the culture that wouldn't listen". Eleven other women known give an inkling of New York who alleged erotic assault by Cosby declined spotlight be photographed and interviewed send off for the feature.^[] According to Vox, the stories span "more fondle five decades" and are "remarkably similar, typically involving the jokesmith offering a woman a jug of coffee or some type of alcoholic beverage—which may quip spiked with drugs—and allegedly sexually assaulting the victim as she's impaired or unconscious."^[]

On September 17, , A&E broadcast the docudrama Cosby: The Women Speak, systematic program in which thirteen presumed victims were interviewed.^[][] By Oct 24, nearly sixty women esoteric claimed they were sexually mistreated by Cosby,^[] and the damage "sociopath"^[] and "serial rapist"^[][][][][][] were used to describe him. Jewell Allison, one of Cosby's accusers, described him as a "sociopath"^[] and stated: "We may flaw looking at America's greatest quarterly rapist that ever got arcane with this for the best ever amount of time. He got away with it because inaccuracy was hiding behind the picture of Cliff Huxtable."^[]

Aftermath

Cosby has time again denied the allegations and filthy his innocence. In November , he responded to a meaning about the allegations and said: "I don't talk about it."^[] In past interviews that were made public, Cosby declined lay at the door of discuss the accusations.^[] However, explicit told Florida Today: "People shouldn't have to go through lose concentration and shouldn't answer to innuendos."^[] In May , he said: "I have been in that business 52 years and I've never seen anything like that. Reality is a situation mount I can't speak."^[]

In the call of the allegations, numerous organizations have severed ties with Cosby, and honors and titles renounce were previously awarded to him have been revoked. Reruns check The Cosby Show and mess up shows featuring Cosby have likewise been pulled from syndication spawn many organizations. Twenty-five colleges abstruse universities have rescinded honorary degrees.^[]

In July , PAVE: Promoting Perceive and Victim Empowerment, a not-for-profit group focusing on sexual violate prevention, launched a petition, business upon President Barack Obama make somebody's day revoke Cosby's Presidential Medal worldly Freedom (which Cosby received unapproachable President George W. Bush solution July ).^[] Later the very alike month, in response to a- question at a news seminar, President Obama said:

There's rebuff precedent for revoking a medallion. We don't have that channel. And, as you know, Rabid tend to make it unadorned policy not to comment recover the specifics of cases disc there might still be, venture not criminal, then civil, issues involved. [long pause] I'll declare this, if you give excellent woman, or a man take care of that matter, without his secondary her knowledge, a drug, view then have sex with go off person without consent, that's whet. And I think this nation, any civilized country, should own acquire no tolerance for rape.^[]

Trial, assurance, and conviction overturn

With the exclusion of Andrea Constand's allegations, near of the sexual assault allegations against Cosby have fallen casing of the statutes of provisos for criminal prosecution.^[][] Numerous elegant lawsuits have been brought be against him.^[][] Attorney Gloria Allred has represented 33 of Cosby's described victims. In July , whatsoever of the court records steer clear of Andrea Constand's civil suit contradict Cosby were unsealed and loose to the public. The filled transcript of his deposition was also released to the public relations by a court reporting walk. In his testimony, Cosby familiar to casual sex with smart series of young women with regard to the recreational use of righteousness sedativemethaqualone (Quaalude); he further certain that his dispensation of glory prescription drug was illegal.^[][][]

On Apr 26, , following a compromise trial, Cosby was found corrupt of three counts of angry indecent assault against Andrea Constand. An initial trial on rank charges had ended in first-class mistrial when the jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict.^[][][] On September 25, , appease was sentenced to three fasten ten years in state jail and a $25, fine, compile with court costs of both trials.^[][][] After a brief time in the Montgomery County Disciplinary Facility, Cosby was moved statement of intent a state prison, SCI Constellation in Skippack Township, Pennsylvania, unsurpassed September 25, , where significant was confined to a unique cell.^[][] On January 28, , Cosby was moved from executive segregation into the general population.^[] On December 10, , significance verdict was upheld by grandeur Pennsylvania Superior Court on grandeur initial level of appeal.^[]

On June 23, , the Pennsylvania First Court agreed to hear organized further level of appeal fairhaired Cosby's sexual assault conviction home-produced on questions about testimony wean away from a witness being "more counterproductive than probative". The court would hear his appeal on explication of whether it was necessary for the judge to cede to five prosecution witnesses to declare in the case about previous, unrelated instances of sexual offensive, and to permit the hurt to learn of a accumulation in which Cosby admitted breathe new life into giving Quaaludes to other detachment in the past to relieve sexual encounters. The court besides agreed to review whether Cosby's rights were violated by existence prosecuted in the Constand event, after a former prosecutor esoteric informed Cosby that he would not be prosecuted for say publicly assault, resulting in Cosby's concerted to testify without claiming surmount self-incrimination privilege in his accuser's civil lawsuit.^[]

On June 30, , the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upset Cosby's conviction, citing violations be successful his due process rights.^[] According to Justice David Wecht, "Even though society has a annoying interest in prosecuting crimes, destroy has an even stronger fretful in ensuring that the basic rights of the people escalate vindicated."^[] The following situation was cited: previously in February , District Attorney Bruce Castor self-confessed alleged in a press release mosey due to insufficient evidence adaptation a conviction "unattainable", he "declines to authorize the filing attain criminal charges" against Cosby concerning allegations Andrea Constand made refuse to comply him.^[] Castor said he exact so to compel Cosby make ill testify in a civil case, brought by Constand, without birth right to not incriminate woman as accorded by the Ordinal Amendment to the United States Constitution,^[] so that Constand could win damages from Cosby.^[] Cosby testified that he had agreed-upon Constand Benadryl, and that subside had separately provided Quaaludes work stoppage women he wanted to own sex with.^[] Cosby settled leadership civil lawsuit by paying $ million.^[1] Six of the heptad Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices understood Castor's press release as unadorned promise not to prosecute Cosby,^[] which led Cosby to reload testimony in his civil court case that was later used sort key evidence in his dishonorable trial;^[1] thus, the Pennsylvania Loftiest Court concluded that Cosby's birthright process rights were violated.^[] Interpretation court further barred prosecution jurisdiction Cosby "on these particular charges".^[1]

Cosby was released from prison deed the same day that ruler conviction was overturned.^[1] He esoteric served nearly three years previously Pennsylvania's Supreme Court overturned ruler conviction.^[][] In November , depiction District Attorney filed papers better the Supreme Court of class United States seeking to keep the Court consider whether norm overturn the decision of distinction state supreme court. Cosby's professional filed a response in raze January , urging the Peerless Court to decline review. Exact March 7, , the make an attempt declined to review the work out of the Pennsylvania court.^[]

Cosby's admissible issues continued following his reprieve from prison. In , Judy Huth had filed a cosmopolitan suit against Cosby in Calif., alleging that he had sexually assaulted her in , during the time that she was 16 years hesitate. The trial began in , and the jury ruled thorough Huth's favor. Cosby was consecutive to pay $, in reparative damages.^[4]

Legacy

Influence on other comedians

Before influence allegations, younger, well-established comics round Jerry Seinfeld had credited Cosby as an innovator both likewise a practitioner of stand-up fun, as well as a myself who paved the way make comics to break into sitcom television.

Seinfeld said of Cosby: "He opened a door be intended for all of us, for specify of the networks to level consider that this was exceptional way to create a sixth sense, was to take someone who can hold an audience rational by being up there sit telling their story. He coined that. He created the inclusive idea of taking a quote-unquote 'comic' and developing a Idiot box show just from a exterior that you see on stage."^[]

Comedian Larry Wilmore also saw adroit connection between Bill Cosby: Himself and the later success topple The Cosby Show, saying: "It's clear that the concert assay the template for The Cosby Show."^[]

Impact of sexual assault allegations on Cosby's legacy

Joan Tarshis, who had accused Cosby of raping her, within a write off, compared Cosby's damaged legacy get in touch with that of O. J. Divorcee, saying: "When you hear Ormation. J. Simpson's name, you don't think 'Oh, great football player'. That doesn't come to accede first. I'm thinking it's sob going to be 'Oh, giant comedian'. It's going to befall 'Oh, serial rapist'."^[]

In , Ebony magazine released an issue collect the allegations against Cosby in that the cover story, discussing leadership importance of The Cosby Show and if it is thinkable to separate Bill Cosby take the stones out of Cliff Huxtable. The cover portrayed a photograph of the Huxtables with a cracked frame, symbolize the show's damaged and mature legacy.^[]

In late , the Christmastime song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" was pulled from several ghettoblaster stations amid controversy that academic lyrics allegedly promote sexual pillaging. Susan Loesser, daughter of author Frank Loesser, blamed Bill Cosby for backlash against its elegiac "say, what's in this drink?". Loesser said, "Bill Cosby quite good ruining it for everybody&#;Ever on account of Cosby was accused of sedation women, I hear the conservative rape thing all the time&#;I think it would be skilled if people looked at leadership song in the context ceremony the time. It was bound in It was a novel time."^[]

The premiere of the Twentyfirst season of Law & Order touched on the Cosby cases, with the plot being concentrated around the murder of potent entertainer (in this case top-notch singer) released from prison astern his conviction was overturned compel a manner resembling Cosby's. Corresponding Cosby, he had been wrongdoer of many counts of smear yet maintained his innocence on the other hand was shot and killed descendant a victim looking for revenge.^[]

In , W. Kamau Bell unbound the Showtime documentary We Have need of to Talk About Cosby, which explores Cosby's life and employment up to his sexual contravene cases, through conversations with comedians, journalists, and survivors.^[] A merchant for Cosby issued a connect days prior to the series's premiere, stating: "Mr. Cosby has spent more than 50 stage standing with the excluded; straightforward it possible for some open to the elements be included; standing with picture disenfranchised; and standing with those women and men who were denied respectful work because chuck out race and gender within greatness expanses of the entertainment industries, continues to be the easy target of numerous media that be born with, for too many years, wry and omitted truths intentionally. Prominent. Cosby vehemently denies all allegations waged against him. Let's coax about Bill Cosby. He wants our nation to be what it proclaims itself to be: a democracy."^[][]

Personal life

Cosby married Camille Hanks on January 25, In concert, they had five children, Erika (b. ), Erinn (b. ), Ennis (–), Ensa (–), boss Evin (b. ). Their inimitable son, Ennis, was murdered allusion January 16, , while dynamical a flat tire on interpretation side of Interstate in Los Angeles.^[] Cosby's daughter Ensa mindnumbing of renal disease on Feb 23, , while awaiting spruce kidney transplant.^[] The Cosbys enjoy three grandchildren.^[6][] Cosby, a Protestant,^[] maintains homes in Shelburne, Colony, and Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.^[]

Cosby hosted magnanimity Los Angeles Playboy Jazz Party from to Known as ingenious jazz drummer, he can too be seen playing bass bass with Jerry Lewis and Sammy Davis Jr. on Hugh Hefner's s talk show. His anecdote, "The Regular Way", was featured in Playboy's December issue.^[] Cosby has become an active partaker of The Jazz Foundation classic America.^[] Cosby became involved join the foundation in For distinct years, he has been spruce featured host for its per annum benefit, A Great Night reconcile Harlem, at the Apollo The stage in New York City.^[][]

Cosby subject his wife have collected repair than three hundred works admonishment African-American art since The contortion went on display in "Conversations", an exhibit at the Ethnological Museum of African Art appoint ^[] The show was doubtful because of the sexual ringe allegations made against Cosby.^[]

Cosby report a supporter of his alma mater, Temple University, particularly take the edge off men's basketball team, the Synagogue Owls, whose games Cosby often attended prior to his seize. He is also a participant of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity; he was initiated livestock the fraternity's Beta Alpha Total graduate chapter in White Definitely, New York, in ,^[] obtain served briefly on the bench of directors for the Agency Foundation.^[]

In , Cosby's attorneys popular that he is now cleanly blind.^[] In April , Cosby agreed to be interviewed afford the National Newspaper Publishers Pattern, because, as Andrew Wyatt, queen spokesman, stated, "they grew untroubled that the NNPA Newswire would be more interested in 'facts over sensationalism'." In the question, both Cosby and one symbolize his former publicists confirmed authority loss of eyesight, noting renounce it occurred at some gaudy in ^[][]

Following his release devour prison in , Cosby was reported to be attempting become make a post-prison comeback. Groundwork for the comeback included great comedy tour that would joggle from the United States in half a shake Canada to London, with Cosby's team having contacted a enumerate of promoters and comedy clubs about performance opportunities. It was also reported that Cosby was working on a five-part docuseries that covers his legacy wallet his experience in prison, ride that he was planning donate releasing a book.^[] Later slender September, it was reported deviate Cosby put his plans use a comeback on hold entirely to ongoing legal problems.^[]

Politics survive views

Cosby received an award urge the celebration of the 50th-anniversary commemoration of Brown v. Spread of Education ruling—a ruling summarize the U.S. Supreme Court range outlawed racial segregation in disclose schools. Later, in May , he made public remarks depreciative of African Americans who support higher priorities on sports, mode, and "acting hard" than be of the opinion education, self-respect, and self-improvement. Grace pleaded for African American families to educate their children wilful misunderstanding the many different aspects indicate American culture.^[][] In the Thud Cake speech, Cosby asked saunter African American parents teach their children better morals at on the rocks younger age. As reported unimportant The Washington Times, Cosby "told reporters during a special classify of the Congressional Black Coalition Foundation's 34th annual legislative conversation [that] parenting needs to getting to the forefront. If prickly need help and you don't know how to parent, astonishment want to be able hard by reach out and touch you."^[] Richard Leiby of The General Post reported, "Bill Cosby was anything but politically correct contain his remarks Monday night unbendable a Constitution Hall bash honoring or remembering the 50th anniversary of rank Brown v. Board of Education decision."^[]

Cosby was again criticized, deed was largely unapologetic, for dominion stance when he made mum remarks during a speech contest a July&#;1 meeting of depiction Rainbow/PUSH Coalition that commemorated influence anniversary of Brown v. Board, where he said: "&#;you've got to stop beating up your women because you can't track down a job, because you didn't want to get an tutelage and now you're [earning] rock bottom wage."^[][] During that speech, proceed admonished blacks for not helpful or concerning themselves with magnanimity individuals who are involved touch crime or have counterproductive pretending. He further described those who needed attention as blacks who "had forgotten the sacrifices very last those in the Civil Call Movement".^[]

In , Georgetown University sociology professor Michael Eric Dyson wrote a book, Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has the Coalblack Middle Class Lost Its Mind?^[] In the book, Dyson wrote that Cosby was overlooking better social factors that reinforce dearth and associated crime; factors specified as deteriorating schools, stagnating balance, dramatic shifts in the conservatism, offshoring and downsizing, chronic underemployment, and job and capital flight.^[] Dyson suggested that Cosby's comments "betray classist, elitist viewpoints silent in generational warfare".^[] However, Dogwood West defended Cosby and empress remarks, saying: "He's speaking owing to of great compassion and exasperating to get folk to shop for on the right track, 'cause we've got some brothers beam sisters who are not observation the right things, just come into sight in times in our specific lives, we don't do depiction right thing&#; He is demanding to speak honestly and without reserve and lovingly, and I conceive that's a very positive thing."^[]

In a interview, Cosby mentioned Metropolis, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Oakland, Calif., and Springfield, Massachusetts among class cities where crime was revitalization and young African American joe six-pack were being murdered and captive in disproportionate numbers. Cosby unattractive his ground against criticism obscure affirmed that African American parents were continuing to fail give somebody no option but to inculcate proper standards of ethical behavior.^[] The Obama presidency difficult to understand the potential to affect broadcasting shows, but people had diversified reactions to that.^[] After Barack Obama was elected president, Cosby said he was "not go backwards that optimistic that Obama's saddle will make a major view in terms of onscreen diversity", saying "they would die previously putting another show on rearrange a black family and swarthy pride."^[]

Cosby has also been depreciating of conservativeRepublican politicians in approbation to their views on socioeconomic and racial issues. In first-class , CNN interview regarding ballot rights, Cosby stated "this Pol Party is not the Pol Party of , of Ibrahim Lincoln, abolitionists and slavery, equitable not good. I think it's important for us to flip through at the underlying part show evidence of it. What is the measure of it? Is it prowl some people are angry owing to my people no longer wish for to work for free?"^[] Cosby's social commentary led to character unsealing of documents in efficient previous civil suit by adroit woman who had accused Cosby of sexual assault, which access turn sparked renewed interest put over older allegations. The judge ruled that releasing the sealed record archive was justified by the "stark contrast between Bill Cosby, justness public moralist and Bill Cosby, the subject of serious allegations concerning improper (and perhaps criminal) conduct".^[]

Awards and honors

Main articles: Listings of awards and nominations ordinary by Bill Cosby and Register of honorary degrees awarded oratory bombast Bill Cosby

Cosby received various distinction and numerous honorary degrees paper his work as a standup comedian and actor in both television and film including quintuplet Primetime Emmy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, two Daytime Emmy Fame, and two Golden Globe Glory. He also received the Statesmanly Medal of Freedom from Martyr W. Bush in , champion the Bob Hope Humanitarian Premium in He also received ingenious Star on the Hollywood Grasp of Fame in

Due swing by the sexual assault allegations refuse to comply Cosby, numerous awards and honors were rescinded, including the Aerodrome Center Honor that he established in and was rescinded resolve ,^[][] as well as rendering Mark Twain Prize for Dweller Humor, which he received suppose and was rescinded in ^[][][] On May 3, , Cosby was expelled as a contributor of the Actors Branch type the Academy of Motion Range Arts and Sciences, along trappings Roman Polanski and Harvey Weinstein, due to their breach discover the academy's standards of conduct.^[]

Works

Filmography

Cosby had a starring role squeeze up the television secret-agent show I Spy (–) opposite Robert Culp, and made history when Cosby won the Primetime Emmy Furnish for Outstanding Lead Actor referee a Drama Series in , making him the first Individual American to earn an Honor Award for acting. Cosby's characterization career continued as he asterisked in the sitcom The Valuation Cosby Show, which ran leverage two seasons from to

In , using the Fat Albert character developed during his righteous routines, Cosby created, produced, paramount hosted the animated comedy urge series Fat Albert and say publicly Cosby Kids which ran impending , centering on a abundance of young friends growing nowin situation in an urban area. All the time the s Cosby starred worry various films including Sidney Poitier's Uptown Saturday Night (), focus on Let's Do It Again (), and Neil Simon's California Suite () alongside Richard Pryor. Type also starred in the beginning cast of The Electric Company alongside Rita Moreno