The Cos Day

The span of events that took Bill Cosby from the first African-American to star in a television dramatic series to the contributor of $20 million to Spelman College, are the same events that have endeared him to audiences of all races.

Born William Henry Cosby, Jr. on this day in 1937, he grew up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy, Bill entered Temple University in Philadelphia where he was active in football and track. But it was comedy that came naturally to the young Cosby, and he was soon on the road, doing stand-up comedy at nightclubs, concert halls and theaters. Having made a name for himself in this area, Bill Cosby auditioned for the co-starring (with Robert Culp) role of Alexander Scott in "I Spy" in 1965, the same year he married Camille Hanks. "I Spy" was the world’s first dramatic TV series starring an African-American, and Cosby’s first attempt at drama. He won three Best-Actor Emmys for his effort. A sitcom, "The Bill Cosby Show" was next, featuring Cosby as high school basketball coach, Chet Kincaid.

A doctorate in education was in the stars for the TV star. While earning the degree from the University of Massachusetts, Cosby continued to entertain us with TV comedy and variety shows, "The New Bill Cosby Show", and "Cos". His love for children shined in the 1972-1984 animated Saturday morning show, "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids". Cosby’s real life role of husband and parent (four daughters, Erika, Erinn, Ensa, Evin and one son, Ennis, who was tragically killed in 1997 at the age of 27) was played out on his hit TV show, "The Cosby Show"; #1 for three years of its eight-year run (1984-1992). It was in this show that Cosby truly endeared himself to audiences of all ages and races.

Bill Cosby has touched our lives not only on television, but as an actor, producer, director and screenwriter of films; as an author of the bestsellers, "Fatherhood", "Time Flies" and "Congratulations! Now What? : A Book for Graduates", to name a few titles; as a recording artist (five Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album), as a spokesperson (Kodak, JELL-O, Coca-Cola, et al.); as a board member of several organizations, including president of the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, and as a philanthropist.

The Cos continues his dedication to education as a trustee of Temple University, and with a TV series based on his book series, "Little Bill" encouraging reading among children. He also continues to entertain us with his comedic talents in "Cosby", his latest TV show. An accomplished musician, Cosby has been producing jazz recordings including a dedication to his son, "Hello Friend: To Ennis With Love".

The Cos says, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” The laughter and applause from his audiences, the pride for his family, and his estimated wealth of $325 million (1995) would spell success to most.

Happy Birthday, Cos.

Oh yeah - in case you were wondering - only 9 more days til Disney.