“These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids -- $500 sneakers for what? And won”
- #wikipedia
- #quote
- #trusted-source
- #www.washingtonpost.com
Figure timeline
Bill Cosby
William Henry Cosby Jr. is an American former comedian, actor, and media personality. Often deemed a trailblazer for African Americans in the entertainment industry, Cosby was well known in the United States for his stand-up comedy routines and television career before achieving global recognition for his portrayal of Cliff Huxtable in the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). He was also prolific in…
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
entertainment · American entertainer (born 1937) · television actor · comedian · writer · dub actor · composer · singer · film actor · American football player · voice actor · manufacturer · also Bill Cosby, William Henry "Bill" Cosby Jr., Dr. William H. Cosby Jr. Ed.D., William H. Cosby Jr. Ed.D., William Henry Cosby Jr., William Henry "Bill" Cosby
Born 12 July 1937 · Q213512
136 published statements · 0 followers
See & hear
Photos & media
11 photos
Media from Wikimedia Commons, hotlinked at the source under its own licence — see each file for author and terms.
Live now
In the news
Pulling headlines from trusted outlets — this usually takes a few seconds
Checking the wires…
Feed scan
These are live links, not archived citations — they only join the timeline once a collect run verifies and archives them.
Live pulse
Recent highlights
Most recent outstanding titles, awards, and quotes
- Quote
- Quote
2026· 12 entries
“s tough duty on the Riviera:”
- #wikipedia
- #quote
- #trusted-source
- #www.washingtonpost.com
“I have always wanted to do what would be in the best interests of the university and its students. As a result, I have tendered my resignation from the Temple University Board of Trustees.”
- #wikipedia
- #quote
- #trusted-source
- #www.washingtonpost.com
“with a black person holding something, buying a product, so the absence of pictures, in retrospect, said a lot”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
“Let the message be known to bigots and racists that they don”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
Radar Online: Inside Bill Cosby's Health Woes — As Disgraced Comedian Goes 'Blind' and Undergoes 'Life-Sustaining Surgeries'
- #news
- #headline
MarketWatch: Bill Cosby takes $6 million New York City home off the market
- #news
- #headline
Public attention spiked: 19,822 Wikipedia readers in one day, 4× the usual 4,905, with 0 article edits.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #attention
- #spike
- #pageviews
AOL: Bill Cosby Vanishes After Court Ordered Him to Pay Nearly $60Million to an Assault Accuser, New Docs Claim
- #news
- #headline
Yahoo: Disgraced Bill Cosby’s Cash, Royalties, and Bank Accounts Become Targets in Court Fight
- #news
- #headline
People: Where Is Bill Cosby Now? Inside the Disgraced Comedian’s Life Today After 3 Years in Prison
- #news
- #headline
AV Club: Bill Cosby found guilty of 1972 rape, ordered to pay $19.25 million in damages
- #news
- #headline
2025· 4 entries
Reported claimRated The claim that Zelensky purchased Cosby’s townhouse is false. Page Six did not report any such transaction, and there is no public record of the property being sold to the Ukrainian president. · StopFake
StopFake rated the claim “Volodymyr Zelensky Buys Bill Cosby’s New York Townhouse for $30 Million” The claim that Zelensky purchased Cosby’s townhouse is false. Page Six did not report any such transaction, and there is no public record of the property being sold to the Ukrainian president..
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
fact checker rated the claim “Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy purchased the New York townhouse of American comedian and actor Bill Cosby for $29 million.” fake.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
MarketWatch: Bill Cosby sells N.Y. townhouse for a whopping $28 million; he’s still facing foreclosure on another home
- #news
- #headline
The Real Deal: Bill Cosby barely needed discount to sell UES townhouse
- #news
- #headline
2024· 1 entry
Lead Stories rated the claim “Bill Cosby Went To Jail For Oil” Sexual Assault.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
2022· 1 entry
Cosby was found liable for having sexually assaulted Judy Huth when she was 16 years of age, and in 2026 was found liable for sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in Santa Monica in 1972, and made to pay $19 million in da
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2021· 4 entries
Snopes.com rated the claim “Actress Phylicia Rashad tweeted of Bill Cosby's release from prison: "FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted — a miscarriage of justice is corrected!"” True.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Cosby's conviction, citing violations of his due process rights
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
PolitiFact rated the claim “All charges were dropped against Bill Cosby and he was granted an early release.” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
Following his release from prison in 2021, Cosby was reported to be attempting to make a post-prison comeback.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #life
- #personal-life
2020· 2 entries
Snopes rated the claim “President Trump tweeted in mid-December 2020 that he was considering pardoning Bill Cosby.” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear a further level of appeal of Cosby's sexual assault conviction based on questions about testimony from a witness being "more prejudicial than probative"
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2019· 3 entries
The verdict was upheld by the Pennsylvania Superior Court on the initial level of appeal
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Africa Check rated the claim “Bill Cosby was framed with rape to ‘stop him buying NBC” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
Cosby was moved from administrative segregation into the general population
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2018· 5 entries
Was sentenced to three to ten years in state prison and a $25,000 fine, together with court costs of both trials
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Snopes rated the claim “Planned Parenthood issued a statement in defense of Bill Cosby after the comedian was convicted of felony sexual assault.” Labeled Satire.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
Following a jury trial, Cosby was found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Cosby's daughter Ensa died of renal disease on February 23, 2018, while awaiting a kidney transplant.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #life
- #personal-life
Was convicted of aggravated sexual assault against Andrea Constand
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2017· 3 entries
Snopes rated the claim “A meme shows President Obama awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Bill Clinton, Anthony Weiner, Bill Cosby, and Harvey Weinstein.” Mostly False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
PolitiFact rated the claim “Says Bill Cosby was framed for sexual assault by the Illuminati to stop him from buying NBC.” Pants on Fire.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
Mashable: Bar thinks Bill Cosby-themed cocktail is a good idea until severe backlash
- #news
- #headline
2016· 2 entries
Snopes rated the claim “Bill Cosby was appointed the Secretary for Women's Rights by president-elect Donald Trump.” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
Snopes rated the claim “Bill Cosby has received a pardon from President Obama for all "current and future" sexual assault charges.” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
2015· 4 entries
A&E broadcast the documentary Cosby: The Women Speak, a program in which thirteen alleged victims were interviewed
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
New York magazine's cover featured images of 35 women sitting in chairs with the last chair empty, suggesting there may be more victims who have not come forward yet
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Brown went into more detail with her renewed allegations in an interview
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
“I have been in this business 52 years and I”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
2014· 6 entries
As part of a comedy routine in Philadelphia, Hannibal Buress addressed Cosby's legacy of "talk[ing] down" to young black men about their mode of dress and lifestyle
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Reported net worth: $400M (as of 2014).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #net-worth
And culminating in a 2018 conviction for aggravated indecent assault
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
After fellow comedian Hannibal Buress mentioned the allegations in a comedy set that went viral
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Cosby was set to release his new standup special Bill Cosby 77 on Netflix
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Wendy Williams recalled that during her radio show in 1990, she referred to sexual assault allegations against Cosby that had been published in the National Enquirer tabloid
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2013· 2 entries
Released album “Far From Finished”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
“this Republican Party is not the Republican Party of 1863, of Abraham Lincoln, abolitionists and slavery, is not good. I think it”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
2011· 2 entries
Won the President's Award for Contributions to Advertising from the Advertising Hall of Fame
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Released album “Icon”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
2010· 1 entry
Cosby returned to Jell-O as executive producer for the company's "Hello Jell-O" campaign
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2009· 3 entries
Released album “State of Emergency”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Awarded Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2009).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
Awarded Marian Anderson Award (2009).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
2006· 3 entries
Awarded Paul Robeson Award (2006).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
Philadelphia magazine published an article by Robert Huber, titled "Dr
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Clarified the statement released a few days prior by stating that it did not refer to Constand's case, which was resolved years ago
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2005· 2 entries
Shawn Upshaw Brown, a woman with whom Cosby admitted to having an extramarital affair in the 1970s, claimed in the National Enquirer that Cosby drugged and raped her the last time the two were together sexually
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Kristina Ruehli came forward as Jane Doe #12 in the Andrea Constand case and alleged that Cosby had drugged and assaulted her at that time in his Beverly Hills home
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2004· 2 entries
Released album “The Original Jam Sessions: 1969”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Cosby became involved with the foundation in 2004.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #life
- #personal-life
2002· 1 entry
Won Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by George W. Bush (2002).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #trophy
- #achievement
2001· 3 entries
Released album “20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Bill Cosby”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Cosby's agenda included the publication of a new book, as well as delivering the commencement addresses at Morris Brown College, Ohio State University, and at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
To designate Jell-O the official state snack, and made a promotional visit to the Jell-O Gallery in 2004
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2000· 3 entries
Awarded Library of Congress Living Legend (2000).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
According to a statement provided by Detective Jose McCallion of the New York County District Attorney's Special Victims Bureau, Lachele Covington, who was 20 years old at the time, filed a criminal complaint against Cos
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
At his Manhattan townhouse, he had tried to put her hands down his pants and then exposed himself
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1999· 1 entry
Cosby's 25th year as spokesman for Jell-O, was also the final year he appeared in its advertising
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1997· 1 entry
Of extortion after she threatened to make the claims public in the Globe tabloid
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1996· 2 entries
Playboy Playmate Victoria Valentino gave a videotaped interview in which she made sexual assault allegations against Cosby
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Started up a new show for CBS, Cosby, again co-starring Phylicia Rashād, his onscreen wife on The Cosby Show
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1995· 1 entry
Which was followed after as a full-season show, with Cosby as host, from January 9, 1998, to June 23, 2000
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1992· 2 entries
Released album “At His Best”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Cosby embarked on a number of other projects, which included a revival of the classic Groucho Marx game show You Bet Your Life (1992–93), the TV movie I Spy Returns (1994), and The Cosby Mysteries (1994)
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1991· 2 entries
Released album “Oh, Baby”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Released album “My Appreciation”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1990· 1 entry
Released album “Where You Lay Your Head”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1988· 3 entries
Won Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture for Leonard Part 6 (1988).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #trophy
- #achievement
Won Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay for Leonard Part 6 (1988).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #trophy
- #achievement
Won Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor for Leonard Part 6 (1988).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #trophy
- #achievement
1987· 2 entries
Won United Nations Peace Medal (1987).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #trophy
- #achievement
Cosby attempted to return to film with the spy spoof Leonard Part 6
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1986· 4 entries
Awarded honorary degree from Spelman College (1986).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
Released album “Those of You With or Without Children, You'll Understand”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Released album “Cosby and the Kids”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
“s account differed from prior accounts she had given of the incident and released a statement that said in part:”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
1985· 1 entry
Won Spingarn Medal (1985).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #trophy
- #achievement
1984· 1 entry
Cosby had drugged her coffee and she awoke with her clothes partially removed
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1983· 1 entry
Cosby released the live comedy performance film Bill Cosby: Himself, in which he gave his views ranging from marriage to parenthood
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1982· 2 entries
Released album “Himself”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Awarded Theodore Roosevelt Award (1982).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
1979· 2 entries
General Foods introduced Pudding Pops, the company's first frozen dessert product
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
And finally ran as The Adventures of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1978· 2 entries
Released album “Bill’s Best Friend”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Starred in California Suite, a compilation of four Neil Simon plays
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1977· 2 entries
Released album “Disco Bill”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Released album “My Father Confused Me… What Must I Do? What Must I Do?”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1976· 2 entries
Released album “Bill Cosby Is Not Himself These Days”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
While producing Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, he earned his Doctor of Education (Ed
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1974· 2 entries
Let's Do It Again in 1975, and A Piece of the Action in 1977
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Cosby began promoting Jell-O pudding for General Foods
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1973· 1 entry
Released album “Fat Albert”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1972· 2 entries
Released album “Inside the Mind of Bill Cosby”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Was back in prime time with a variety series, The New Bill Cosby Show
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1971· 3 entries
Released album “For Adults Only”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Released album “When I Was a Kid”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Released album “Bill Cosby Presents Badfoot Brown & the Bunions Bradford Funeral & Marching Band”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1970· 2 entries
Released album “Live: Madison Square Garden Center”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Released album “More of the Best of Bill Cosby”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1969· 4 entries
Released album “The Best of Bill Cosby”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Returned with another series, The Bill Cosby Show, a situation comedy that ran for two seasons
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Released album “Bill Cosby”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Released album “It's True! It's True!”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1968· 4 entries
Released album “200 M.P.H”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Awarded Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for I Spy (1968).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
Released album “To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Released album “Bill Cosby Sings Hooray for the Salvation Army Band!”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1967· 4 entries
Released album “Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Awarded Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for I Spy (1967).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
Released album “Revenge”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Cosby and his wife have collected more than three hundred works of African-American art since 1967.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #life
- #personal-life
1966· 2 entries
Awarded Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for I Spy (1966).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
Released album “Wonderfulness”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1965· 3 entries
Before the debut of I Spy, but after several appearances on the late-night talk program The Tonight Show, a signifier of success in American comedy
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Released album “Why Is There Air?”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Cosby was cast alongside Robert Culp in the I Spy espionage adventure series on NBC
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1964· 3 entries
Released album “I Started Out as a Child”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
Received national exposure on NBC's The Tonight Show
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Released his debut LP, Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1963· 1 entry
Released album “Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow Right!”.
- #musicbrainz
- #release
- #work
1961· 1 entry
And primarily performed observational comedy in a conversational style
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1956· 1 entry
Cosby enlisted in the Navy and served as a hospital corpsman at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia; at Naval Station Argentia in Newfoundland, Canada; and at the National Naval Medical Center in Maryland
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1937· 1 entry
Born 1937-07-12.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #birth
1902· 1 entry
It was targeted towards parents rather than to children, a practice from which the company departed in 2001
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event