Many families grew up watching The Cosby Show (1984 – 1992), a show which became one of the best sitcoms of all time. Bill Cosby (the content creator and main character in the series) was always the jovial, friendly and somewhat goofy character. He was so loved by millions of devoted viewers that they named him “America’s dad”. He made America laugh; turned the “dad sweater” into a symbol of fatherhood and even taught many important life lessons. This show remains the peak of his career but he was never always a legend, in fact he had a rough childhood.
Date of Birth: July 12, 1937
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
His teachers in school noticed his propensity for clowning rather than studying and Bill also described himself as a class clown. He was on and off-again about the idea of being an athlete but his witty skills got the best of him. Cosby entered the professional comedy line with stand ups and was soon discovered by Carl Reiner. That marked the beginning of his journey towards becoming a multiple-time Grammy award winner.
Read on to know all about the iconic entertainer who has just recently been convicted on three counts of felony-aggravated sexual offences.
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William Henry Cosby Sr. (father)
Date of Birth: March 6, 1913
Date of Death: November 25, 1974 (aged 61)
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
William served as a sailor in the US Navy while his son was still in his young age. He was hardly home during Bill’s early childhood as he spent several years fighting in World War II. He was not only an absentee father but was also an alcoholic. After he was enlisted to fight, his family went on to live in a low-income housing project where they lost James to an illness.
Anna Pearl Cosby (mother)
Year of Birth: 1931
Year of Death: 1991 (aged 78)
Although she was a maid, she always insisted on the importance of education.
Russell Cosby (younger brother from same parents)
Date of Birth: 1943
We know that he has dyslexia and worked as customer services agent in Delta Airlines.
James Cosby (younger brother from same parents)
Year of Birth: 1941
Year of Death: 1947 (aged 6)
James was not even 7 yet when he died from complications of rheumatic fever.
Robert Cosby (younger brother from same parents)
Being the eldest among his siblings, Bill rose up to the responsibility as a father when his father left home and worked menial jobs including one as a groceries deliverer and also as a shoe shiner just to ease the financial burden on their mom.
Camille Olive Cosby (spouse)
Duration of Marriage: January 25, 1964 till present
Date of Birth: March 20, 1944
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Camille and Bill have been one of the longest-lasting couples in Hollywood. They have been married for over half a century and it seems nothing can come in between their union. The couple first met in early 1960 on a blind date in Washington D.C and one thing led to another till they walked down the aisle in 1964.
Both Bill and his wife have been active in supporting African-American charities. They also founded a foundation in memory of their late son to fund teachers of students with learning disabilities. Camille acted as her husband’s manager and has been depicted as a “shrewd businesswoman”.
Despite his public status as a predator, Olivia has stayed through and has been faithful to her husband. She acknowledges that he has cheated on her but also adds that he is not a rapist. Camille mentions that Bill has through the years remained a kind man, wonderful husband, father and friend.
Erika Ranee Cosby (daughter with Camille Cosby)
Date of Birth: April 8, 1965
Zodiac sign: Aries
As the first child to Bill Cosby, she grew up in the spotlight but is now a former adjunct professor and contemporary painter.
Erin Chalene Cosby (daughter with Camille Cosby)
Year of Birth: 1966
She has been super supportive of her father since his sexual assault scandal in 2004. Erin is also artistic and is known for her photography.
Ennis Cosby (son with Camille Cosby)
Date of Birth: April 15, 1969
Date of Death: January 16, 1997 (aged 27)
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Ennis was the only son to the American star and his wife but he didn’t live long enough. He was killed during a failed attempt at robbery on the side of the interstate 405 in Los Angeles as he stopped to change a flat tire on his Mercedes convertible.
Father and son shared a unique bond while he was alive. They were seen together severally, the Cosby males also attended games together. Shortly after Ennis died, Bill told reporters in an interview that his son was his hero.
Ensa Cosby McLean (daughter with Camille Cosby)
Ensa with husband
Date of Birth: April 8, 1973
Date of Death: February 23, 2018 (aged 44)
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Ensa appeared in one of the 1989 episodes of The Cosby Show but that was all her cameo appearance as she didn’t continue as an actress. She said in May 2017 that she was a private person and chose to live quietly with her family. She died from a renal disease at the young age of 44 while awaiting a kidney transplant. She was married to Martin McLean and had a daughter.
Evin Harrah Cosby (daughter with Camille Cosby)
Year of Birth: 1976
She is the youngest daughter and last child to the famous entertainer.
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