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American former comedian, actor, author, director, and producerBill Cosby performed over a period of decades in film, television, and stand-up comedy. His longest-running live-action role was that ofCliff Huxtable in the sitcomThe Cosby Show (1984-1992).

Cosby began his career as a stand-up comic at thehungry i nightclub in San Francisco in 1961. Throughout the 1960s, Cosby released several standup comedy albums which consecutively earned him theGrammy Award for Best Comedy Album from 1965 to 1970. He also had a starring role in the television secret-agent showI Spy (1965–1968) oppositeRobert Culp, and made history when Cosby won thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1966, making him the first African American to earn an Emmy Award for acting.^[1] Cosby's acting career continued as he starred in the sitcomThe Bill Cosby Show, which ran for two seasons from 1969 to 1971.

In 1972, using theFat Albert character developed during his stand-up routines, Cosby created, produced, and hosted the animated comedy television seriesFat Albert and the Cosby Kids which ran until 1985, centering on a group of young friends growing up in an urban area. Throughout the 1970s Cosby starred in various films includingSidney Poitier'sUptown Saturday Night (1974), andLet's Do It Again (1975), andNeil Simon'sCalifornia Suite (1978) alongsideRichard Pryor. He also starred in the original cast ofThe Electric Company alongsideRita Moreno andMorgan Freeman from 1971 to 1973. From the 1970s to the 2000s, Cosby was a popular spokesperson in advertising, for various products including theJell-Oice pop treatsPudding Pop.

Beginning in the 1980s, Cosby produced and starred inThe Cosby Show, which was rated as the number one show in America from 1985 through 1989. The sitcom highlighted the experiences and growth of an affluent African American family, and Cosby gained a reputation as "America's Dad" for his portrayal of Cliff Huxtable on the sitcom. Cosby produced the spin-off sitcomA Different World, which aired from 1987 to 1993. His 1983 comedy filmBill Cosby: Himself was well regarded by comedians and critics, with some calling it the greatest stand up concert movie ever. Cosby also starred inThe Cosby Mysteries (1994–1995), the sitcomCosby (1996–2000) and hostedKids Say the Darndest Things (1998–2000). He then created and produced the animated children's programLittle Bill (1999–2004).

Sources:Turner Classic Movies andInternet Movie Database^[3][4]

Sources:Internet Movie Database

• Bill Cosby filmography atIMDb

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