Earle Hyman is a distinguished African American actor who had a46-year-long career on Broadway, where he was nominated for a TonyAward. Hyman also was nominated for an Emmy Award as Outstanding GuestPerformer in a Comedy Series for his appearance onThe Cosby Show (1984) playingBill Cosby's father Russell Huxtable.

Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on October 11, 1926, Hyman and hisfamily moved to Brooklyn, where he grew up. His parents took him to aproduction ofHenrik Ibsen's "Ghosts"starringAlla Nazimova in Brighton Beachas a present for his 13th birthday, which made him want to be an actor.Impressed with Ibsen, he learned Norwegian, a language he became fluentin, enabling him to act in Norway, where he keeps a second home.

In 1944, Hyman made his debut on Broadway inPhilip Yordan'sAnna Lucasta (1949), a hit that ranfor 957 performances. He next appeared on Broadway in 1952, inMoss Hart's "The Climate of Eden", which was aflop, then played the Prince of Morocco the following year in aproduction ofThe Merchant of Venice (1973)starringLuther Adler as Shylock. In 1955,he had a role inNo Time for Sergeants (1958),a hit that madeAndy Griffith astar. Over the next 37 years, he would appear on Broadway another 11times, ending with his turn in the title role of Ibsen'sThe Master Builder (1960)in 1992. The circle that had begun back in 1939 had been completed.

In addition to his work on Broadway, he was a charter member of theAmerican Shakespeare Theatre that was created in 1955, playing Othelloin 1957. (He had appeared as The Moor two years earlier on aCamera Three (1954) production).He was in the London production ofA Raisin in the Sun (1961) in1959. For his theatrical work in Norway, the Norwegian sovereignawarded him St. Olav's medal in recognition of "outstanding servicesrendered in connection with the spreading of information about Norwayabroad".

Hyman made his movie debut as an uncredited extra in the Oscar-winningThe Lost Weekend (1945) in 1945,but it was TV that proved more welcoming to his talent. He appeared onnumerous TV programs from 1954 to 2001, most famously on "The CosbyShow".

Having been in a relationship with Rolf Sirnes (1926-2004), Hyman lived with the Norwegian seaman for fifty years.Hyman learned Norwegian through Sirnes, who was originally from Haugesund.

In the 1990s they lived together in New York City.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Jon C. Hopwood