- Embarrassed the National Association For Advancement Of Colored People (NAACP) at a gala in Washington DC to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling by using the platform to unfavorably compare sixties civil rights activists with today's youth. (May 22, 2004)
- Cosby and his wife, Camille, were honored at a NAACP gala commemorating the anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision 50 years earlier for their philanthropy in donating money to historically black colleges. (May 19, 2004)
- Cosby and other members of the WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? cast will take the stage at this summer's Just for Laughs comedy fete in Montreal. (May 22, 2003)
- Cosby wore a bright red University of Maryland sweatshirt over his tuxedo this weekend when he performed at a black-tie gala for the school's new David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the African Diaspora. (October 2, 2002)
- Bill still likes to perform because his wife doesn't want him to look like old people who can't talk and hear.
- Takes the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House (July, 2002).
- Without resorting to gimmickry or low-brow humor, his comedy has a point of reference and respect for the trappings and traditions of the great American humorists such as Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields and Groucho Marx.
- His believability and humor makes him most effective as the spokesman for Jell-O.
- Is the best-selling comedian of all time on records.
- His goal was to become a physical education teacher.
- Bill's son, Ennis Cosby (27), was shot dead while fixing a flat tire off the San Diego Freeway. (16 January 1997)
- In addition to numerous best-selling comedy albums over the years, for which he won several Grammy awards, Cosby had a top-40 hit as a singer in 1969 with Little Old Man.
- Donated $100,000 for a student scholarship.
- In THE COSBY SHOW (1984), Claire's maiden name, Hanks, is the maiden name of Bill Cosby's real life wife, Camille. Anna was the first name of both Heathcliff Huxtable and Bill Cosby's mother; Russell was the first name of Heathcliff Huxtable's father and Bill Cosby's younger brother Russell Cosby.
- No Hollywood studio would back SWEET SWEETBACK'S BAAD ASSSSS SONG (1971) with an all-black cast, so actor/writer/director Melvin Van Peebles financed it himself, aided by a $50,000 loan from Bill Cosby. It became a hit, earning $10 million.
- Bill Cosby donated $27 million to Spellman College in 1988
- 1st African-American to receive Emmy in nightly T.V. drama series.
- Was nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special in 2001 for LITTLE BILL.
- Nominated for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program at Daytime Emmy Awards for Little Bill (2002)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for The Cosby Show (1987)
- Nominated for Best TV Actor - Musical/Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for THE NEW BILL COSBY SHOW (1972)
- Nominated for Best TV Star - Male at Golden Globe Awards for I Spy (1967)
Quotes- About his performances: " I feel that in-person contact with people is the most important thing in comedy. While I'm up on stage, I can actually put myself into the audience and adjust my pace and timing to them. I can get into their heads through their ears and through their eyes. Only through this total communication can I really achieve what I'm trying to do."
- About his performances: " I feel that in-person contact with people is the most important thing in comedy. While I'm up on stage, I can actually put myself into the audience and adjust my pace and timing to them. I can get into their heads through their ears and through their eyes. Only through this total communication can I really achieve what I'm trying to do."
- "He (his late son, Ennis) was my hero." -about his murdered son, Ennis.
- "Gray hair is God's graffiti."
- "A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones who need the advice."
- "Human beings are the only creatures that allow their children to come home."
- "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone."
Awards- Honorary doctor of music degree from the Berklee College of Music.
- Emmy Awards: Bob Hope Humanitarian Award (2003)
- TV Guide Awards: Career Achievement Award (2002)
- Image Awards: Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special for Little Bill (2001)
- People's Choice Awards: Favorite All-Time Television Star (1999)
- BMI TV Music Award for Cosby (1998)
- BMI TV Music Award for Cosby (1997)
- People's Choice Awards: Favorite Male Performer in a New Television Series (1997)
- Image Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, The Cosby Show (1993)
- BMI TV Music Award for A Different World (1992)
- BMI TV Music Award for The Cosby Show (1992)
- Aftonbladet TV Prize (Sweden): Best Foreign TV Personality - Male (1990)
- BMI TV Music Award for The Cosby Show (1990)
- BMI TV Music Award for A Different World (1990)
- Aftonbladet TV Prize (Sweden): Best Foreign TV Personality - Male (1989)
- BMI TV Music Award for A Different World (1989)
- BMI TV Music Award for The Cosby Show (1989)
- BMI TV Music Award for A Different World (1988)
- BMI TV Music Award for The Cosby Show (1988)
- Razzie Awards: Worst Actor, LEONARD PART 6 (1988)
- BMI TV Music Award for The Bill Cosby Show (1987)
- Razzie Award: Worst Picture, LEONARD PART 6 (1987)
- Razzie Award: Worst Screenplay, LEONARD PART 6 (1987)
- Aftonbladet TV Prize (Sweden): Best Foreign TV Personality - Male (1987)
- Quality Television Awards: Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series for The Cosby Show (1986)
- Aftonbladet TV Prize (Sweden): Best Foreign TV Personality - Male (1986)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role--Musical or Comedy Series or Television Movie, THE COSBY SHOW. (1986)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Comedy/Musical, The Cosby Show (1986)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role--Musical or Comedy Series or Television Movie, THE COSBY SHOW. (1985)
- Golden Apple Awards: Male Star of the Year (1985)
- Quality Television Awards: Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series, The Cosby Show (1985)
- Hasty Pudding Theatricals: Man of the Year (1969)
- Emmy Awards: Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series, I Spy (1968)
- Emmy Awards: Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series, I Spy (1967)
- Emmy Awards: Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series, I Spy (1966)
- Golden Apple Awards: Most Cooperative Actor (1966)
- Five Grammy Awards for the best comedy album.
|
