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North Philidelphia, Born and Raised
Born in Philidelphia. One of four sons born to Anna Pearl (née Hite), a maid, and William Henry Cosby Sr., who served as a sailor in the U.S. Navy. -
Navy Life
William Henry Cosby, Jr., served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1961, trained as a hospital corpsman and worked mostly with veterans of the Korean War. He also ran track on the Navy's team. -
Temple University Scholarship
Cosby wins a track and field scholarship to Temple University. While at school, he gets his first job telling jokes while tending bar. -
First Comedy Album
Cosby releases his first recording, "Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow ... Right!" -
"I Started Out As a Child"
Full Album Cosby releases his second album, "I Started Out As a Child," which wins a Grammy for Best Comedy Performance -
I Spy
A clip from I Spy Cosby plays Alexander Scott, an undercover CIA agent, on the NBC show "I Spy." Wins three Best Actor Emmy Awards in a row from 1956 to 1968. -
Another Emmy
Wins an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety or Musical Program for "The Bill Cosby Special." -
Hey Hey Hey!
"Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" runs on television from 1972 to 1984 -
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ATA&S Hall of Fame
Cosby is inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. -
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
Cosby is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. -
Mark Twain Prize recipient
Cosby is awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. -
Far From Finished
A clip from the special Bill Cosby has his critically acclaimed stand up, " Far From Finished".
