archytele The Vault

Bill Cosby

Acting Born Jul 12, 1937 Philadelphia, PA, USA 183 credits
183
Total Credits
2022
76 Years Career Span
71
Vault Titles
10
Key Co-Stars

Biography

Bill Cosby is an American actor born on July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, PA, USA. He is known for his acting career, which spans multiple film and television roles. Cosby got his start as a nightclub stand-up comic before landing a starring role in the action show I Spy from 1965 to 1968. He is widely recognized for his starring role in the popular sitcom The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992. Cosby has also produced and starred in multiple other shows and films. He has been dubbed "America's Dad" due to his portrayal of an upper-middle-class African-American family in The Cosby Show.

Sources & verification Bill Cosby — The Movie Database (TMDB) Bill Cosby - Wikipedia Bill Cosby – Wikipedie Bill Cosby | ČSFD.cz Bill Cosby – herec | xFilms.cz Bill Cosby: Nejlepší filmy a seriály | Kinobox.cz How Archytele verifies pages
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Career

Career overview

Bill Cosby began his acting career with a starring role in the action show I Spy, which aired from 1965 to 1968. He went on to appear in various film and television roles. Cosby's greatest success came when he produced and starred in The Cosby Show, a popular sitcom that aired from 1984 to 1992. This show highlighted the experiences and growth of an upper-middle-class African-American family.

Cosby's portrayal of this character earned him widespread recognition and led to him being dubbed "America's Dad." After The Cosby Show ended, he continued to produce and star in multiple other shows and films. Cosby's acting career spanned a significant period in American television, with his work appearing on a variety of platforms.

Cosby's acting credits include starring in the action show I Spy and producing and starring in The Cosby Show. He also appeared in other television shows and films, although specific details about these roles are not provided. Cosby's acting career has been marked by his work in television, particularly in sitcoms and family-oriented programming.

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Known for

Basketball: A Love Story

as Self (archive footage)

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

as Self - Guest

The Jay Leno Show

as Self - Guest

Old River

as Self

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

as Self

The Name of the Game

1968

Little Bill

1999

Little Bill

1999
Film

The Devil's Own

as Hilton Lucas (uncredited)

Kids Say the Darndest Things

as Host

The Gutsy Frog

as Self

Cosby

as Hilton Lucas

Frequent co-stars

Robert Culp 3 shared titles
Phylicia Rashād 2 shared titles
Lee Chamberlin 2 shared titles
Robin Williams 2 shared titles
Arnold Stang 2 shared titles
Ruth Buzzi 2 shared titles
Madeline Kahn 2 shared titles
Jurnee Smollett 2 shared titles
Marilyn Grabowski 2 shared titles
Denise Nicholas 2 shared titles

Career timeline

Bill Cosby: Walking FreeWe Need to Talk About CosbyThe Case Against Cosby
When Ruby Wax Met...
Cola WarsI Am Richard Pryor
Basketball: A Love Story
Bill Cosby: Fall of an American IconBill Cosby: An American Scandal
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonNelson Mandela RedrawnKeep On Keepin' On
Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms MableyBill Cosby: Far From FinishedBill Cosby: Far From Finished · Executive ProducerBill Cosby: Far From Finished · WriterAfter Newtown: Guns in America
GooseB.B. King: The Life of RileyYo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’
The Jay Leno ShowWhy We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Miles Davis: Kind of BlueJoe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed
Le Cirque: A Table in HeavenCutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
The PactBuffy Sainte-Marie: A Multimedia LifeThe Electric Company's Greatest Hits & BitsThe Shame of a City
Lipstick & DynamiteThe Harlem Globetrotters: The Team That Changed the WorldClass Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class
Fatherhood · ProducerFatherhood · CreatorFat AlbertFat Albert · WriterFat Albert · Executive Producer
The Ellen DeGeneres ShowJack Paar: Smart Television
NBC 75th Anniversary SpecialThe Cosby Show: A Look BackThe Cosby Show: A Look Back · WriterComedian
Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey · Producer
Men of Honor · Executive ProducerThe Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story
Little Bill · Executive ProducerLittle Bill · CreatorPlayboy: Playmate Pajama Party
BeckerKids Say the Darndest Things
Jack Paar: 'As I Was Saying...'4 Little Girls
CosbyCosby · ProducerCosby · CreatorThe Rosie O'Donnell ShowJack
Touched by an AngelThe Cosby MysteriesI Spy ReturnsI Spy Returns · Executive ProducerThe Incredible Voyage of Bill Pinkney
Zone interditeThe Meteor Man
The Tonight Show with Jay LenoMalcolm XMalcolm X · ThanksHere and Now · Producer
The One, the Only... Groucho
The Earth Day SpecialGhost DadHappy Birthday, Bugs! 50 Looney YearsSammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary CelebrationNickelodeon Studios Opening Day Celebration!
Sesame Street: 20 Years ... and Still Counting!
A Different WorldA Different World · WriterA Different World · CreatorLeonard Part 6Leonard Part 6 · Story
Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday SpecialTV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic RoutinesIn Remembrance of MartinMiles Ahead: The Music of Miles Davis

Full Filmography

183 titles
  • Bill Cosby: Walking Free (2022) as Self (archive footage)
  • We Need to Talk About Cosby (2022) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Case Against Cosby (2022) as Self (archive footage)
  • When Ruby Wax Met... (2021) as Self (archive footage)
  • Cola Wars (2019) as Self (archive footage)
  • I Am Richard Pryor (2019) as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
  • Basketball: A Love Story (2018) as Self (archive footage)
  • Bill Cosby: Fall of an American Icon (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • Bill Cosby: An American Scandal (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
  • Nelson Mandela Redrawn (2014) as Self
  • Keep On Keepin' On (2014) as Self
  • Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley (2013) as Self
  • Bill Cosby: Far From Finished (2013) as Self
  • Bill Cosby: Far From Finished (2013) Executive Producer
  • Bill Cosby: Far From Finished (2013) Writer
  • After Newtown: Guns in America (2013) as Self
  • Goose (2012)
  • B.B. King: The Life of Riley (2012) as Self
  • Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ (2012) as Self
  • The Jay Leno Show (2009) as Self - Guest
  • Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009) as Self
  • Miles Davis: Kind of Blue (2008) as Self
  • Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed (2008) as Self
  • Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven (2007) as Self
  • Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s (2007) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Pact (2006) as Self
  • Buffy Sainte-Marie: A Multimedia Life (2006) as Self
  • The Electric Company's Greatest Hits & Bits (2006) as Self
  • The Shame of a City (2006) as Self
  • Lipstick & Dynamite (2005) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • The Harlem Globetrotters: The Team That Changed the World (2005) as Self
  • Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class (2005) as Self (archive footage)
  • Fatherhood (2004) Producer
  • Fatherhood (2004) Creator
  • Fat Albert (2004) as Self
  • Fat Albert (2004) Writer
  • Fat Albert (2004) Executive Producer
  • Lightning in a Bottle (2004) as Self
  • Baadasssss! (2004) as Bill Cosby
  • TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (2004) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
  • Jack Paar: Smart Television (2003) as Self
  • NBC 75th Anniversary Special (2002) as Self
  • The Cosby Show: A Look Back (2002) as Self / Dr. Cliff Huxtable (archive footage)
  • The Cosby Show: A Look Back (2002) Writer
  • Comedian (2002) as Self
  • Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey (2001) Producer
  • Men of Honor (2000) Executive Producer
  • The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story (2000)
  • Little Bill (1999) Executive Producer
  • Little Bill (1999) Creator
  • Playboy: Playmate Pajama Party (1999)
  • Becker (1998) as Hilton Lucas (uncredited)
  • Kids Say the Darndest Things (1998) as Host
  • Jack Paar: 'As I Was Saying...' (1997) as Self
  • 4 Little Girls (1997) as Self - Educator
  • Cosby (1996) as Hilton Lucas
  • Cosby (1996) Producer
  • Cosby (1996) Creator
  • The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self
  • Jack (1996) as Lawrence Woodruff
  • Ruby Wax Meets (1996)
  • Cigars!: The New Rage! (1996) Thanks
  • Touched by an Angel (1994) as Phil
  • The Cosby Mysteries (1994) as Guy Hanks
  • I Spy Returns (1994) as Alexander Scott
  • I Spy Returns (1994) Executive Producer
  • The Incredible Voyage of Bill Pinkney (1994) as Narrator
  • Zone interdite (1993) as Self
  • The Meteor Man (1993) as Marvin
  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
  • Malcolm X (1992) as Self (uncredited)
  • Malcolm X (1992) Thanks
  • Here and Now (1992) Producer
  • The One, the Only... Groucho (1991) as Self
  • The Earth Day Special (1990) as Cliff Huxtable
  • Ghost Dad (1990) as Elliot Hopper
  • Happy Birthday, Bugs! 50 Looney Years (1990) as Self
  • Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration (1990) as Self
  • Nickelodeon Studios Opening Day Celebration! (1990)
  • Sesame Street: 20 Years ... and Still Counting! (1989) as Self - Host
  • A Different World (1987) as Heathcliff Huxtable
  • A Different World (1987) Writer
  • A Different World (1987) Creator
  • Leonard Part 6 (1987) as Leonard
  • Leonard Part 6 (1987) Story
  • Leonard Part 6 (1987) Producer
  • Superstars and their Moms (1987) as Self
  • Bill Cosby: 49 (1987) as Self
  • Bill Cosby: 49 (1987) Writer
  • Bill Cosby: 49 (1987) Producer
  • Creole Giselle (1987) as Self - Host
  • Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special (1986) as Self
  • TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines (1986) as Self
  • In Remembrance of Martin (1986) as Self
  • Miles Ahead: The Music of Miles Davis (1986) as Self
  • The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There (1985)
  • The Cosby Show (1984) as Heathcliff Huxtable
  • The Cosby Show (1984) Writer
  • The Cosby Show (1984) Creator
  • Reading Rainbow (1983) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Bill Cosby: Himself (1983) as Self
  • Bill Cosby: Himself (1983) Director
  • Bill Cosby: Himself (1983) Writer
  • Bill Cosby: Himself (1983) Executive Producer
  • Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self
  • The Fat Albert Easter Special (1982) as Fat Albert Robertson / Bill / Mushmouth / Mudfoot Brown (voice)
  • The Fat Albert Easter Special (1982) Executive Producer
  • The Fat Albert Easter Special (1982) Characters
  • Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
  • The Devil and Max Devlin (1981) as Barney Satin
  • Playboy's Roller Disco & Pajama Party (1979) as Self (uncredited)
  • A Walking Tour of Sesame Street (1979) as Self (Twins) (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
  • California Suite (1978) as Dr. Willis Panama
  • Top Secret (1978) as Aaron Strickland
  • A Piece of the Action (1977) as Dave Anderson
  • The Fat Albert Christmas Special (1977) as Fat Albert / Bill / Mushmouth / Mudfoot Brown (voice)
  • The Fat Albert Christmas Special (1977) Characters
  • The Fat Albert Christmas Special (1977) Executive Producer
  • The Fat Albert Halloween Special (1977) as Fat Albert Robertson / Bill / Mushmouth / Mudfoot Brown (voice)
  • Playboy's Playmate Party (1977)
  • Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976) as Mother
  • Cos (1976)
  • Cher (1975) as Self
  • Let's Do It Again (1975) as Billy Foster
  • Doug Henning's World of Magic (1975) as Self
  • Dinah! (1974) as Self
  • Uptown Saturday Night (1974) as Wardell Franklin
  • Bicycles are Beautiful (1974) as Self - Host
  • The Chocolate Princess (1974) as Narrator
  • The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
  • The Weird Harold Special (1973)
  • The Midnight Special (1972) as Self
  • Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972) as Bill Cosby
  • Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972) as Fat Albert Robertson
  • Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972) as Mushmouth
  • Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972) Executive Producer
  • Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972) Creator
  • Hickey & Boggs (1972) as Al Hickey
  • The New Bill Cosby Show (1972) as Self - Host
  • To All My Friends on Shore (1972) as Blue
  • To All My Friends on Shore (1972) Idea
  • To All My Friends on Shore (1972) Music
  • To All My Friends on Shore (1972) Executive Producer
  • Great Performances (1971) as Self
  • The Electric Company (1971) as The Milk Man
  • Man and Boy (1971) as Caleb Revers
  • The Jackson 5: Goin' Back to Indiana (1971) as Scoop Newsworthy
  • Aesop's Fables (1971) as Aesop
  • Diana! (1971) as Self
  • Bill Cosby on Prejudice (1971)
  • Bill Cosby on Prejudice (1971) Director
  • The Flip Wilson Show (1970) as Self
  • The Don Knotts Show (1970) as Self
  • King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Bill Cosby Show (1969) as Chet Kincaid
  • The Bill Cosby Show (1969) Director
  • The Bill Cosby Show (1969) Executive Producer
  • The Bill Cosby Show (1969) Creator
  • Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
  • Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert (1969) Writer
  • The Picasso Summer (1969) Executive Producer
  • The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
  • Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self (uncredited)
  • Of Black America (1968)
  • Black History: Lost, Stolen or Strayed (1968) as Self - Host / Narrator
  • Murder at N.B.C. (1966)
  • The Dean Martin Show (1965)
  • I Spy (1965) as Alexander Scott
  • The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self - Comedian
  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Guest Host
  • The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
  • The David Susskind Show (1959) as Self
  • The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
  • The Emmy Awards (1949) as Self
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
  • Meet the Press (1947)

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Bill Cosby best known for?

Bill Cosby is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Basketball: A Love Story (2018), The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014), The Jay Leno Show (2009), Old River (2016).

When and where was Bill Cosby born?

Bill Cosby was born on July 12, 1937 in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

How many credits does Bill Cosby have?

Bill Cosby has accumulated over 183 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1947 to 2022.

What is Bill Cosby's background in cinema and television?

Bill Cosby is an American actor born on July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, PA, USA. He is known for his acting career, which spans multiple film and television roles. Cosby got his start as a nightclub stand-up comic before landing a starring role in the action show I Spy from 1965 to 1968. He is widely recognized for his...