Bill Cosby first stepped into the American consciousness back in 1962. He hasn’t stepped out since. During a half century in the spotlight, Cosby has earned many titles: entertainer, stand-up comedian, actor, author, pitchman, speaker, educator, musician, activist and perhaps a few more, including pioneer.
The 74-year-old first became well-known because of his stand-up comedy routine in the early ’60s and then through albums such as Bill Cosby is a Very Funny Fellow ... Right!, where he poked fun at everything from Noah to the difference between men and women. By 1965, Cosby was the star of the TV series I Spy where he became the first African-American to co-star in a dramatic series and won three consecutive Emmy Awards. More than 45 years later, Cosby is still a star.
It seems as though every decade has its own Cosby. Older generations know him from I Spy or his ’60s comedy albums and music albums, including 1967’s Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings featuring the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band as Cosby’s backing band on tunes such as a cover of Ray Charles’ “I Got a Woman.”
Others know Cosby as the star of such ’70s educational programs as The Electric Company (which also featured a young Morgan Freeman) or the long-running educationally bent, Saturday morning cartoon Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. (Later known as The New Fat Albert Show.)
The cartoon was my Cosby introduction. Fat Albert was goofy fun, following the adventures of a group of children around their playground of an inner-city junkyard, but the animation had appearances by a live-action Cosby and each 30-minute episode delivered a life lesson, however subtly and hilariously. Plus, who could forget the unsung hero of the series, the cartoon-within-a-cartoon The Brown Hornet?
There were also forays in the 1970s into films (1974’s Uptown Saturday Night with Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte and Richard Pryor), and more comedy albums.
For most children of the ’80s, Cosby is Cliff Huxtable from the consistently No. 1 TV sitcom The Cosby Show, from which the late ’80s, early ’90s sitcom A Different World was spun off. And what child of the ’80s can forget Cosby’s Jell-O Pudding Pops commercials? (Also don’t forget the best-selling books such as Fatherhood, stand-up specials and comedy tours.)
For the ’90s and the early 21st century, Cosby is known as the host of TV shows like Kids Say the Darndest Things, and as an elder statesman who isn’t afraid of being outspoken or controversial, especially when offering his opinions on today’s generation.
Through the years, Cosby has been honored. He received the 12th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor a few years ago, joining other comedians such as Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and George Carlin, and has earned a Kennedy Center Honor for his contribution to the performing arts.
But even as he has aged, Cosby hasn’t slowed down. His 2011 book I Didn’t Ask to Be Born (But I’m Glad I Was) covers topics from a Who’s on First? moment on You Bet Your Life (which Cosby hosted during an early ’90s revival) to his son’s first bad word, and topics like his first love and the Bible.
Throughout his career, Cosby’s brand of comedy has always remained consistent. It’s comedy about life. Being a child. Raising children. Co-existing with the opposite sex. And Cosby has always examined those small things and interactions in life to comedic effect. Call it slice-of-life comedy.
This is what Cosby will deliver in Little Rock. He’ll draw from more than 50 years of performing and almost 75 years of living. Who knows what he might throw in there?
The wisdom of Bill Cosby: Seven Cosby quotes from over the years
“A word to the wise ain’t necessary — it’s the stupid ones who need the advice.”
“Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.”
“People can be more forgiving than you can imagine. But you have to forgive yourself. Let go of what’s bitter and move on.”
“Sex education may be a good idea in the schools, but I don’t believe the kids should be given homework.”
“The past is a ghost, the future a dream, and all we ever have is now.”
“There is hope for the future because God has a sense of humor, and we are funny to God.”
“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.”
— sources: imdb.com and brainyquote.com
SEE THE SHOW
Bill Cosby is coming to Robinson Center Music Hall on Sunday at 3 p.m. for his Bill Cosby Live act. Tickets are on sale now for $34.40, $39.55, $49.80 and $70.85 through all Ticketmaster outlets, and that price includes Ticketmaster charges.