in full William Henry Cosby, Jr.
born July 12, 1937, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.
U.S. television actor and producer.
He worked as a comedian in New York City nightclubs and on tour in the 1960s. In the series I Spy (196568) he became the first black actor to star in a dramatic role on network television. He later frequently appeared on the children's programs Sesame Street and The Electric Company as well as in several films. He starred in several other television series, most notably The Cosby Show (198492), which became one of the most durable family comedies in the history of television.