Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby

1937-07-12 Philadelphia, PA, USA 99 Credits

Biography

William Henry "Bill" Cosby Jr. (born July 12, 1937) is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer and convicted sex offender. He got his start as a nightclub stand-up comic before landing a starring role in the action show I Spy (1965-1968). After various film and television roles, Cosby's greatest success came when he produced and starred in The Cosby Show (1984-1992), a popular sitcom that highlighted the experiences and growth of an upper-middle-class African-American family. Du...

Known For

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Complete Filmography

Bill Cosby: Walking Free

Bill Cosby: Walking Free

2022

as Self (archive footage)

10.0
Acting

Follow the twists and turns of his life, legacy and legal battle as America's former favourite 'Dad' faces allegations from 60 women, spanning as far ...

Cola Wars

Cola Wars

2019

as Self [Archival Footage]

7.5
Acting

Traces the long and ferocious rivalry between Coke and Pepsi, centered on the “New Coke” debacle of 1985. For almost a hundred years, Coke had been th...

I Am Richard Pryor

I Am Richard Pryor

2019

as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)

6.9
Acting

The life story of Richard Pryor (1940-2005), the legendary performer and iconic social satirist who transcended racial and social barriers with his ho...

Bill Cosby: An American Scandal

Bill Cosby: An American Scandal

2017

as Self (archive footage)

Acting

A biography of Bill Cosby from young adult to his adult career in the spotlight, his relationships, and evidence of a decades-long propensity for his ...

Bill Cosby: Fall of an American Icon

Bill Cosby: Fall of an American Icon

2017

as Self (archive footage)

10.0
Acting

The story of how one of American television's brightest and wealthiest stars finally came to face a criminal trial for sexual assault a decade after t...

Nelson Mandela Redrawn

Nelson Mandela Redrawn

2014

as Self

Acting

This fascinating documentary unfolds in reverse telling the story of Mandela from the old man to the rural child. With contributions from storytellers...

Keep On Keepin’ On

Keep On Keepin’ On

2014

as Self

7.0
Acting

Eighty-nine year old trumpeting legend Clark Terry has mentored jazz wonders like Miles Davis and Quincy Jones, but Terry’s most unlikely friendship i...

Bill Cosby: Far From Finished

Bill Cosby: Far From Finished

2013

as Himself

7.0
Acting

Bill Cosby shares his hilarious new observations on life and family in this comedy special, his first televised concert in 30 years.

Bill Cosby: Far From Finished

Bill Cosby: Far From Finished

2013

Executive Producer, Writer

7.0
Producing Writing

Bill Cosby shares his hilarious new observations on life and family in this comedy special, his first televised concert in 30 years.

Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley

Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley

2013

as Self

6.7
Acting

A feature documentary about Jackie "Moms" Mabley, an African-American stand-up comic and show-biz pioneer who emerged from the Chitlin' Circuit of Afr...

After Newtown: Guns in America

After Newtown: Guns in America

2013

as Self

9.5
Acting

Explore America’s enduring relationship with firearms: From the first European settlements in the New World to frontier justice; from 19th Century imm...

B.B. King: The Life of Riley

B.B. King: The Life of Riley

2012

as Self

6.9
Acting

Documentary charting the life of blues guitarist B.B. King, with contributions from fellow musicians.

Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’

Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’

2012

as Self

5.0
Acting

A provocative look into the seven-year history of the series that gave hip hop a voice and broke color barriers, integrating MTV with rap. "Yo! MTV Ra...

Goose

Goose

2012

7.0
Acting

Interspersed with interviews from luminaries including Dr. J, Oscar Robertson, Bill Cosby, Jerry West, Mannie Jackson, Marques Haynes, Ernie Banks, an...

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

2009

as Self

8.0
Acting

Directors Robert Townsend and Quincy Newell offer this comprehensive and hilarious examination of the history, evolution and cultural significance of ...

Miles Davis: Kind of Blue

Miles Davis: Kind of Blue

2008

as Himself

3.8
Acting

Kind Of Blue: Celebrating A Masterpiece incorporates material from the 2004 mini-documentary, Made In Heaven, including black-and-white still photogra...

Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed

Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed

2008

as Self

7.0
Acting

An American story. Traces the career of Joe Louis (1914-1981) within the context of American racial consciousness: his difficulty getting big fights e...

Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven

Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven

2007

as Self

5.5
Acting

At the end of 2005, New York's famed restaurateur, Sirio Maccioni, closed Le Cirque, destination of the rich and famous. During 2006, he and his three...

Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s

2007

as Self (archive footage)

Acting

In the late 1950s, a fresh, unconventional style of standup comedy emerged in sharp contrast to the standard "Take my wife, please" approach. It tackl...

The Electric Company's Greatest Hits & Bits

The Electric Company's Greatest Hits & Bits

2006

as Self

6.0
Acting

When "The Electric Company" made its television debut in October 1971, it was instantly clear that it would fulfill its mission of helping struggling ...

Buffy Sainte-Marie: A Multimedia Life

Buffy Sainte-Marie: A Multimedia Life

2006

as Self

Acting

Buffy Sainte-Marie is best known for her protest songs (Universal Soldier) and her love songs (Up Where We Belong). This one-hour documentary chronicl...

The Shame of a City

The Shame of a City

2006

as Self

Acting

In 1904, author Lincoln Steffens wrote, Philadelphia is a city that is corrupt and contented. In 2003 filmmaker Tigre Hill chronicled the Philadelphia...

The Pact

The Pact

2006

as Himself

Acting

A gritty, provocative true-life story of three friends from the 'hood, Rameck Hunt, Sampson Davis, and George Jenkins, who made a pact in high school ...

Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class

Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class

2005

as Self (archive footage)

5.2
Acting

Based on the forthcoming book by Pepi Leistyna, Class Dismissed navigates the steady stream of narrow working class representations from American tele...

Lipstick & Dynamite

Lipstick & Dynamite

2005

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

6.0
Acting

Ring legends such as The Fabulous Moolah and Gladys "Kill 'Em" Gillem Long provide candid insights into the history of women's professional wrestling.

The Harlem Globetrotters: The Team That Changed the World

The Harlem Globetrotters: The Team That Changed the World

2005

as Self

8.0
Acting

"The Team that Changed the World," investigates the Globetrotters' impact socially and culturally, as well as their lasting effect on the NBA. Featuri...

Fat Albert

Fat Albert

2004

as Self

5.1
Acting

Animated character Fat Albert emerges from his TV universe into the real world, accompanied by his friends Rudy, Mushmouth, Old Weird Harold and Dumb ...

Fat Albert

Fat Albert

2004

Writer, Executive Producer

5.1
Writing Producing

Animated character Fat Albert emerges from his TV universe into the real world, accompanied by his friends Rudy, Mushmouth, Old Weird Harold and Dumb ...

Los Angeles Plays Itself

Los Angeles Plays Itself

2004

as Al Hickey in Hickey & Boggs (archive footage)

7.6
Acting

From its distinctive neighborhoods to its architectural homes, Los Angeles has been the backdrop to countless movies. In this dazzling work, Andersen ...

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

2004

as Leonard Parker (archive footage)

4.6
Acting

There are some movies that are so bad they're good. And there are some movies that are so bad- that they're just bad...

Baadasssss!

Baadasssss!

2004

as himself

6.5
Acting

Director Mario Van Peebles chronicles the complicated production of his father Melvin's classic 1971 film, "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song." Playin...

Lightning in a Bottle

Lightning in a Bottle

2004

as Self

7.3
Acting

On February 7th, 2003, renowned artists across multiple music genres and generations commandeered the stage at New York City's Radio City Music Hall t...

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

2004

as Self (archive footage)

4.0
Acting

Discover how television has reflected the African American experience in this retrospective of the medium's first half-century. Actors, writers and hi...

Jack Paar: Smart Television

Jack Paar: Smart Television

2003

as Self

Acting

PBS documentary examining the work of Jack Paar.

Comedian

Comedian

2002

as Self

6.6
Acting

A look at the work of two stand-up comics, Jerry Seinfeld and a lesser-known newcomer, detailing the effort and frustration behind putting together a ...

The Cosby Show: A Look Back

The Cosby Show: A Look Back

2002

as Self / Dr. Cliff Huxtable (archive footage)

7.4
Acting

A retrospective of the phenomenally popular 1984-1992 situation comedy, "The Cosby Show," complete with memorable clips, bloopers and comments from se...

The Cosby Show: A Look Back

The Cosby Show: A Look Back

2002

Writer

7.4
Writing

A retrospective of the phenomenally popular 1984-1992 situation comedy, "The Cosby Show," complete with memorable clips, bloopers and comments from se...

NBC 75th Anniversary Special

NBC 75th Anniversary Special

2002

as Self

Acting

A celebration of NBC's 75 year history, featuring clips of special moments.

Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey

2001

Producer

Producing

Few remember the name, much less the historical achievements, of Dr. Ralph Johnson Bunche. Yet, this African American mediator and United Nations dipl...

Men of Honor

Men of Honor

2000

Executive Producer

7.5
Producing

Against formidable odds -- and an old-school diving instructor embittered by the U.S. Navy's new, less prejudicial policies -- Carl Brashear sets his ...

The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story

The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story

2000

Acting

Documents the race riot of 1921 and the destruction of the African-American community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With testimony by eyewitnesses ...

4 Little Girls

4 Little Girls

1997

as Self - Educator

7.3
Acting

On September 15, 1963, a bomb destroyed a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young girls who were there for Sunday school. It was a cri...

Jack Paar: 'As I Was Saying...'

1997

as Self

5.2
Acting

A PBS American Masters documentary exploring the life and career of Jack Paar, the charismatic host of The Tonight Show on NBC from 1957 to 1962.

Jack

Jack

1996

as Lawrence Woodruff

6.3
Acting

Jack Powell suffers from an affliction that makes him grow four times faster than normal, so the 10 year old boy looks like a 40 year old man. After y...

I Spy Returns

I Spy Returns

1994

as Alexander Scott

4.0
Acting

Time passes and things change. So have Scott and Robinson. Scott has become a college professor and Robinson holds a high enough position with the S.S...

I Spy Returns

I Spy Returns

1994

Executive Producer

4.0
Producing

Time passes and things change. So have Scott and Robinson. Scott has become a college professor and Robinson holds a high enough position with the S.S...

The Incredible Voyage of Bill Pinkney

The Incredible Voyage of Bill Pinkney

1994

as Narrator

Acting

From Boston to Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Brazil, South Africa, Tasmania, Uruguay and then back, Bill Pinkney became the first African-Ameri...

The Meteor Man

The Meteor Man

1993

as Marvin

5.8
Acting

One night Jefferson Reed gets hit in the chest by a souped-up chunk of meteor. So he can fly, but he's scared of heights. He can master the informatio...

Malcolm X

Malcolm X

1992

Thanks

7.5

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he b...

The One, the Only... Groucho

The One, the Only... Groucho

1991

as Self

Acting

The One, the Only... Groucho is a documentary that celebrates the life and legacy of Groucho Marx, the legendary comedian, actor, gameshow host and ma...

Ghost Dad

Ghost Dad

1990

as Elliot Hopper

5.1
Acting

Elliot Hopper, a widower with three children, is working on a business deal to get his family out of financial straits when he is suddenly killed in a...

Nickelodeon Studios Opening Day Celebration!

Nickelodeon Studios Opening Day Celebration!

1990

7.0
Acting

Hosted by Marc Summers of Super Sloppy Double Dare.

The Earth Day Special

The Earth Day Special

1990

as Dr. Cliff Huxtable

6.9
Acting

The Earth Day Special is a television special revolving around Earth Day that aired on ABC on April 22, 1990. Sponsored by Time Warner, the two hour s...

Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration

1990

as Self

8.8
Acting

Celebrating Sammy Davis Jr 's 60th anniversary in show business, including musical,comic and dancing performers.

Sesame Street: 20 Years ... and Still Counting!

Sesame Street: 20 Years ... and Still Counting!

1989

as Himself - Host

6.3
Acting

This one-hour special marks the 20th anniversary of Sesame Street, the ground-breaking educational children's series that has taught numbers and the a...

Leonard Part 6

Leonard Part 6

1987

as Leonard

2.8
Acting

After separating from his wife, Leonard Parker (Cosby) quit the spy business and became a restaurateur. His wife refuses to speak with him, and his da...

Leonard Part 6

Leonard Part 6

1987

Story, Producer

2.8
Writing Producing

After separating from his wife, Leonard Parker (Cosby) quit the spy business and became a restaurateur. His wife refuses to speak with him, and his da...

A Different World

A Different World

1987

as Cliff Huxtable

10.0
Acting

A Different World is an American sitcom television series and a spin-off of The Cosby Show. It aired for six seasons on NBC from September 24, 1987, t...

A Different World

A Different World

1987

Writer

10.0
Writing

A Different World is an American sitcom television series and a spin-off of The Cosby Show. It aired for six seasons on NBC from September 24, 1987, t...

Superstars and their Moms

Superstars and their Moms

1987

as Self

10.0
Acting

Mother's Day special in which celebrities appear with their mothers to relate incidents from their pasts, inspired by the book "Star Mothers" by Georg...

Bill Cosby: 49

Bill Cosby: 49

1987

as Himself

6.6
Acting

In this concert film, Bill Cosby muses on his nearing the big 5-0 and how that age affects men, their wives, and their children.

Bill Cosby: 49

Bill Cosby: 49

1987

Writer

6.6
Writing

In this concert film, Bill Cosby muses on his nearing the big 5-0 and how that age affects men, their wives, and their children.

Miles Ahead: The Music of Miles Davis

1986

as Self

Acting

A documentary on the music of Miles Davis which contains concert footage from the 1986 New Orleans Jazz Festival and interviews with Miles Davis, Bill...

TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines

TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines

1986

as Self

Acting

A compilation film of stand up performances and comedy routines featuring some of the biggest stars in the early years of television. This film was di...

In Remembrance of Martin

In Remembrance of Martin

1986

as Self

9.0
Acting

Personal comments from family, friends, and advisors fill this remarkable documentary honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coretta Scott King joins th...

Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special

Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special

1986

as Self

9.0
Acting

An all-star cast celebrates George Burn's 90th birthday and showcases highlights in Burns' career.

Bill Cosby: Himself

Bill Cosby: Himself

1983

as Himself

7.4
Acting

A 1983 stand-up comedy film featuring the comedy of Bill Cosby. Filmed before a live audience at the Hamilton Place Theatre, in Hamilton, Ontario. Cos...

Bill Cosby: Himself

Bill Cosby: Himself

1983

Director, Writer

7.4
Directing Writing

A 1983 stand-up comedy film featuring the comedy of Bill Cosby. Filmed before a live audience at the Hamilton Place Theatre, in Hamilton, Ontario. Cos...

The Fat Albert Easter Special

The Fat Albert Easter Special

1982

as Fat Albert Robertson / Bill / Mushmouth / Mudfoot Brown (voice)

Acting

Easter is fast approaching, and Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids find their efforts to do something nice for Mudfoot thwarted by a practical joke gone ho...

The Fat Albert Easter Special

The Fat Albert Easter Special

1982

Executive Producer, Characters

Producing

Easter is fast approaching, and Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids find their efforts to do something nice for Mudfoot thwarted by a practical joke gone ho...

The Devil and Max Devlin

The Devil and Max Devlin

1981

as Barney Satin

5.8
Acting

When Max dies in an accident, he goes straight to Hell. But the Devil Barney makes him an offer: if he manages to get three innocent youths to sell hi...

Playboy's Roller Disco & Pajama Party

Playboy's Roller Disco & Pajama Party

1979

as Self (uncredited)

1.0
Acting

Hugh Hefner invites you to Playboy’s Roller Disco and Pajama Party! With your host, Richard Dawson!

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

1979

as Self (Twins) (archive footage) (uncredited)

Acting

Sesame Street celebrated its 10th anniversary in the spring of 1979 with a half-hour PBS special hosted by James Earl Jones titled A Walking Tour of S...

California Suite

California Suite

1978

as Dr. Willis Panama

5.8
Acting

The misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Top Secret

Top Secret

1978

as Aaron Strickland

Acting

A hip American agent and his foxy associate try to recover a hundred pounds of stolen plutonium in Italy before it can be used by terrorists.

The Fat Albert Christmas Special

The Fat Albert Christmas Special

1977

as Fat Albert / Bill / Mushmouth / Mudfoot Brown (voice)

3.6
Acting

The Cosby Kids are rehearsing for a Christmas pageant at their junkyard clubhouse, which Tyrone, the mean old junkyard owner, is fixin' to tear down. ...

The Fat Albert Christmas Special

The Fat Albert Christmas Special

1977

Characters, Executive Producer

3.6
Producing

The Cosby Kids are rehearsing for a Christmas pageant at their junkyard clubhouse, which Tyrone, the mean old junkyard owner, is fixin' to tear down. ...

The Fat Albert Halloween Special

The Fat Albert Halloween Special

1977

as Fat Albert Robertson / Bill / Mushmouth / Mudfoot Brown (voice)

6.2
Acting

It's Halloween for Fat Albert and the Junkyard Gang, and everyone's all set for trick-or-treating. While searching for costumes a store clerk kicks th...

A Piece of the Action

A Piece of the Action

1977

as Dave Anderson

5.6
Acting

How does retired cop Joshua Burke (James Earl Jones) get two career criminals, Manny Durrell (Sidney Poitier) and Dave Anderson (Bill Cosby), to follo...

Mother, Jugs & Speed

Mother, Jugs & Speed

1976

as Mother

5.4
Acting

To beat out competing ambulance services, an ace driver, an office secretary/paramedic and a suspended cop resort to some outrageous behavior to help ...

Let's Do It Again

Let's Do It Again

1975

as Billy Foster

6.9
Acting

Clyde Williams and Billy Foster are a couple of blue-collar workers in Atlanta who have promised to raise funds for their fraternal order, the Brother...

Uptown Saturday Night

Uptown Saturday Night

1974

as Wardell Franklin

6.1
Acting

Two blue-collar buddies search the underworld for a winning lottery ticket lost in a nightclub holdup.

The Chocolate Princess

The Chocolate Princess

1974

as Narrator

Acting

Sweet little chocolate-bar shaped Chocolate Princess lives a lonely life in Sugarland. Then one day she meets Sour Ball, a happy, round little boy fro...

The Weird Harold Special

1973

Acting

Weird Harold and Fat Albert plan a potentially dangerous go-cart race. After hitting a police squad car after an out-of-control slapstick race, the ki...

Hickey & Boggs

Hickey & Boggs

1972

as Al Hickey

5.8
Acting

Two veteran private eyes trigger a criminal reign of terror with their search for a missing girl. | Al Hickey (Cosby) & Frank Boggs (Culp) are two ja...

To All My Friends on Shore

To All My Friends on Shore

1972

as Blue

5.7
Acting

An airport redcap works hard to get his family out of the ghetto, only to discover that his son has sickle-cell anemia.

To All My Friends on Shore

To All My Friends on Shore

1972

Idea, Music, Executive Producer

5.7
Producing

An airport redcap works hard to get his family out of the ghetto, only to discover that his son has sickle-cell anemia.

Aesop's Fables

1971

as Aesop

Acting

A collection of the classic morality tales narrated by Bill Cosby as "Aesop" that have been passed down from family to family for thousands of years. ...

Goin' Back to Indiana

Goin' Back to Indiana

1971

as Scoop Newsworthy

Acting

Jackson 5 TV special featuring comedic skits and live performances

Man and Boy

Man and Boy

1971

as Caleb Revers

6.0
Acting

At the beginning of the 19th century a man and his son settle in Arizona which used to be a frontier state and full of criminals at that time.

Diana!

Diana!

1971

as Self

7.0
Acting

Diana! is American singer Diana Ross' first solo TV special, which aired on ABC on April 18, 1971. The program was choreographed by David Winters of W...

Bill Cosby on Prejudice

Bill Cosby on Prejudice

1971

Acting

A man denigrates every conceivable group, including “niggers”, whites, women, children and the elderly.

Bill Cosby on Prejudice

Bill Cosby on Prejudice

1971

Director

Directing

A man denigrates every conceivable group, including “niggers”, whites, women, children and the elderly.

King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis

King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis

1970

as Self (archive footage)

7.1
Acting

Constructed from a wealth of archival footage, the documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968, in his rise from regional activi...

Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert

Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert

1969

Writer

Writing
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

1969

as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

6.2
Acting

After returning to Los Angeles from a group therapy session, documentary filmmaker Bob Sanders and his wife, Carol, find themselves becoming vigilante...

The Picasso Summer

The Picasso Summer

1969

Executive Producer

6.0
Producing

A San Francisco couple travels to France in search of Pablo Picasso.

Black History: Lost, Stolen or Strayed

Black History: Lost, Stolen or Strayed

1968

as Self - Host / Narrator

Acting

A documentary that reviews the numerous contributions of African-Americans to the development of the United States. From the perspective of the turbul...

Murder at N.B.C.

1966

Acting

A comedy classic whodunit with an amazing comedic ensemble group. An hour comedy special in which Bob Hope plays a mad scientist who invents a nuclear...