Bill CosbyActor, Comedian, and Author

Background

Born July 12, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Married Camille Hanks in 1964 Has four daughters: Erika, Erinn, Ensa,

and Evin (the “E” stands for Excellence) His one son, Ennis, was murdered in 1997 Most known for his stand-up comedy and

TV Show “The Cosby Show” Has multiple published books about love,

marriage, and life in general

Education

Earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Temple University

Obtained a Master Degree in Education in 1972 and his Doctorate in 1977 from the University of Massachusetts

Has received honorary degrees from Yale, USC, and Baylor University

Life According to “The Cos”

Most of Cosby’s material comes from his personal life experiences

Covers fatherhood, love, relationships, school, work, and many other themes in his books

Teaches beginner readers about imagination, friendship, and kindness in his Little Bill children’s book series

Books by Bill Cosby

I Didn’t Ask to be Born: But I’m Glad I Was Cosbyology Love and Marriage I am What I Ate…And I’m Frightened!!! Time Flies Fatherhood Little Bill series

› The Treasure Hunt› The Best Way to Play› The Meanest Thing to Say

Books by Bill Cosby

The Cosby Show

TV’s biggest hit in the 1980’s Follows the Huxtable family, an

African-American family living in Brooklyn, New York

Characters and show portray similar characteristics and events based on Cosby’s real life

As of 2011, The Cosby Show is the third-longest running U.S. comedy with a predominately black cast

Only one of three shows that was #1 in the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive seasons (1985-1989)

Interesting Facts

Outstanding athlete at Temple University in football and track and field

Received 12th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in October 2009

Is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Is a Best-Selling Author Was featured on the cover of Time

magazine on September 28, 1987 Currently is still touring the United States

doing stand-up comedy

Charities and Foundations

Cosby supports a number of charities and foundations including: › Airlift Research Foundation› Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals› Jackie Robinson Foundation› Jumpstart› Keep A Child Alive› Robert F. Kennedy Memorial

After his son Ennis’s murder in 1997, Cosby established the Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation

Social Media Use

Cosby uses various forms of social media:› Facebook› Twitter› USTREAM› MySpace› cinch› vimeo› blogtalkradio

Social media is used to:› Promote new

books and albums› Update on

upcoming appearances and performances

› Post videos about personal thoughts

› Connect with fans

Personal Website

Connects to personal Twitter feed to keep fans up-to-date with his thoughts

Currently is promoting the Bill Cosby Official Mobile App

Posts tour dates Contains a video archive of past performances

as well as personal videos Offers links to the various social media sites

used

http://billcosby.com/

Sources

“Bill Cosby.” IMDb. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001070/bio>

“Bill Cosby.” Bill Cosby. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://www.billcosby.com/>

“Bill Cosby.” Look to the Stars. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1358-bill-cosby>

“Bill Cosby.” African American Literature. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://aalbc.com/authors/bill.htm>

Cosby, Jr., William H. Facebook. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://www.facebook.com/#!/billcosby>