Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bill Cosby got his start as a stand-up performer in a number of clubs before landing a starring role in the 1960s action show "I Spy". The series lasted from 1965 to 1968 and won him Primetime Emmy Awards for three consecutive years (1966-1968). The following year he starred on his own situation comedy series "The Bill Cosby Show", which was a commercial success and helped cementing his name as one of prominence comics Hollywood has ever had.

Cosby's next show "The Electric Company" was also a hit and earned him a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children. Afterwards he created the educational cartoon comedy series "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids", which revolved around a group of young friends growing up in the city. After few starring roles on TV and film features, the July 12, 1937 born actor experienced another major success with his portrayal of Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable on the 1980s "The Cosby Show". Aired for a total of eight seasons from 1984 to 1992, it became the number one show in America for five straight years (1985 � 1989).

A spin-off series was later on created, titled "A Different World" and became second to "The Cosby Show" in ratings. Adding more projects into his resume, Cosby next appeared on the sitcom "Cosby" from 1996 to 2000 and hosted "Kids Say the Darndest Things" for two seasons. In addition to his acting career, he also has released numerous music and comedy albums. And it was needless to say that during his expanding and ever growing work on showbiz, he had received numerous accolades and honors. Cosby, who was born William Henry Cosby, Jr., married his wife Camille Olivia Hanks on January 25, 1964. They have five children together; daughters Erika Ranee (b. 1965), Erinn Chalene (b. 1966), Ensa Camille (b. 1973), and Evin Harrah (b. 1976), and a son Ennis William (1969�1997).