The Cosby Wit: His Life and Humour

by Bill Cosby, Bill Adler (editor)

Cosby: the comic genius, Cosby: the 'national treasure', Cosby,: America's symbol of wit...humor...kindness. How did it happen? What led to this special brand of humor? Gary Owens reads this chronicle of how it all happened.

Genres: Biography, Humor, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published December 31, 1986

About the author

William Henry Cosby Jr. is an American retired comedian, actor, and media personality. Often cited as a trailblazer for African Americans in the entertainment industry, Cosby was a film, television, and stand-up comedy star, with his longest-running live-action role being that of Cliff Huxtable in the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). He also released several stand-up comedy albums and was a popular spokesperson in advertising for decades. Cosby was well known in the United States for his fatherly image and gained a reputation as "America's Dad". Since 2014, dozens of allegations of sexual assault have been made against him.
Cosby began his career as a stand-up comic at the Hungry I nightclub in San Francisco in 1961, and primarily performed observational comedy in a conversational style. He released numerous standup specials starting with Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right! (1963) and starred in the comedy film Bill Cosby: Himself (1983). Cosby still holds the record for winning the most Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, with seven wins. His acting career began with a starring role in the NBC secret-agent show I Spy (1965–1968), which broke new ground for African Americans when he made history by winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first black actor to do so.
Cosby made his film debut starring in Man and Boy (1971) followed by Hickey & Boggs (1972), Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let's Do It Again (1975), A Piece of the Action (1977), Leonard Part 6 (1987), and Ghost Dad (1990). He produced and starred in a series of television sitcoms such as The Bill Cosby Show (1969–1971), Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–1985) and The Cosby Show (1984–1992) as well as its the spin-off A Different World (1987–1993), The Cosby Mysteries (1994–1995), and Cosby (1996–2000). He hosted Kids Say the Darndest Things (1998–2000). During his prolific career he advertised numerous products including the Jell-O ice pop treats Pudding Pop.
Over 60 women have accused Cosby of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, child sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Those allegations gained traction 2014 after a set which made mention of them by fellow comedian Hannibal Buress went viral. Numerous allegations followed with Cosby maintaining his innocence and repeatedly denying the allegations made against him. Despite receiving numerous awards and honorary degrees, several of them were revoked following the allegations. Reruns of The Cosby Show and other programs featuring Cosby were pulled from syndication. In 2018, Cosby was convicted of aggravated sexual assault against Andrea Constand. He was imprisoned until the conviction was vacated in June 2021 by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on the basis of Cosby's 5th Amendment and 14th Amendment due process rights having been violated. In 2022, Cosby was found civilly liable for having sexually assaulted Judy Huth when she was 16.

Reviews

[Byren Burdess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not very interesting or deeply researched in comparison to other books in the same field. I was intrigued to read this too as I know Cosby, like Sigmund Freud, enjoyed exploring the unconscious.

[Caitlin N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Bill Cosby, and it was nice to learn more about him. However, by the time I got around to read this, it was a little dated. Also, The book itself felt a little sloppy. In one chapter, the exact paragraph was even repeated. I just think with a subject like Bill Cosby, the book itself could have been a little more impressive.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one because our library had it in. I was looking for Bill Cosby's new biography, but this one was not checked out. It had a few short clips about Mr. Cosby, but that was it. Good thing it's such a short book.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short, dated audiobook lacking and real insight or anything interesting tracks Cosby from self-made successful stage comic to TV icon from "I Spy" to "The Cosby Show". It is a but of a puff piece, like a long press release.

Too soon?

[Andrew · Rating 1 out of 5]

This biography is too short to be considered a book. You might be better off reading a wikipedia article to learn more about Bill Cosby.