Bill Cosby: Rise and Fall

  • Bill Cosby was born

    Bill Cosby was born
    Born on July 12, 1937
  • Cosby's career takes off

    Cosby's career takes off
    1965-1970: Cosby's career takes off with the success of his stand-up comedy and the release of comedy albums like "Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right!" and "I Started Out as a Child."
  • Cosby's first Tv Show

    Cosby's first Tv Show
    1965-1968: Cosby stars in the television series "I Spy," becoming the first African-American actor to co-star in a dramatic television series.
  • Cosbys doctorate

    Cosbys doctorate
    1976: Cosby earns a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts.
  • The Cosby Show begins

    The Cosby Show begins
    09/20/1984: Cosby stars in the immensely popular sitcom "The Cosby Show," which becomes a cultural phenomenon and earns him widespread acclaim.
  • The Cosby Mysteries

    The Cosby Mysteries
    1992-1997: Cosby stars in another successful sitcom, "The Cosby Mysteries," and later "Cosby."
  • Death of Ennis

    Death of Ennis
    1997: Cosby's son, Ennis, is murdered during a failed robbery attempt.
  • First accusation: Andrea Constand

    First accusation: Andrea Constand
    2005: Andrea Constand accuses Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting her. The case is settled out of court.
  • Hannibal Buress

    Hannibal Buress
    2014: Comedian Hannibal Buress brings attention to the sexual assault allegations against Cosby in a stand-up routine, sparking a renewed public interest in the accusations.
  • Multiple Allegations

    Multiple Allegations
    2015: Numerous women come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Cosby, spanning several decades.
  • The sentencing of Bill Cosby

    The sentencing of Bill Cosby
    2018: Cosby is found guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault in the case brought by Andrea Constand. He is sentenced to three to ten years in prison.
  • The overturn of Cosby's convictions

    The overturn of Cosby's convictions
    June 2021: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns Cosby's conviction, citing an agreement with a previous prosecutor that he should not have been charged in the case.