Cosby, Bill (1937– )

US comedian and actor. His portrayal of the dashing, handsome secret agent in the television series I Spy (1965–68) revolutionized the way in which blacks were presented on screen. His sardonic humour, based on wry observations of domestic life and parenthood, found its widest audience in The Cosby Show (1984–92). He was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor in 1998.

He won three Emmy awards for the I Spy series and The Cosby Show consistently topped the national ratings and provided new role models for young black Americans. It also made him one of the richest performers in show business. Among his other television series was Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–84). After The Cosby Show he briefly hosted the game show You Bet Your Life (1992) and later hosted the series Kids Say the Darndest Things (1998). He later mainly took on production roles, producing the film Men of Honor (2000).