Broke Radio City's 53-year-old attendance record for his concert appearance. (1986)

Is a best-selling author.

Was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

In 1976, he earned a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His dissertation was titled "An Integration of the Visual Media Via "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" (1972) into the Elementary School Curriculum as a Teaching Aid and Vehicle to Achieve Increased Learning."

At one time expressed a very public interest in purchasing the National Broadcasting Company.

Upon receiving his Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 2003 Emmys, Cosby paid tribute to two people: children's show host Fred Rogers (who had died earlier that year) and, poignantly, his late son Ennis.

Grand marshal, Tournament of Roses parade [2003]

Sang on a number of albums in the 1970s.

The oldest of 4 children.

When "The Cosby Show" (1984) was ruling the NBC line-up in the mid-'80s, he insisted that his newly produced show, "A Different World" (1987), a spin-off of "The Cosby Show", follow after his show instead of the hit "Family Ties" (1982). He wanted this because he felt there was a lack of shows on TV that featured African-Americans in a positive light. NBC made the move, which led to two things happening: "The Cosby Show" audience was cut by 20% and never fully recovered, and "Family Ties" struggled to get the high numbers it once received. It was canceled in 1989.

Recently became a vegetarian.

Did not submit himself for Emmy consideration during the eight-year run of "The Cosby Show" (1984).

First black performer to win an Emmy, for "I Spy" (1965).

Son Ennis is buried on Cosby family estate in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.

National Enquirer offers $100,000 reward for the capture of the killer of Bill's son, Ennis. [January 1997]

As a child he listened to great comedians such as Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Jimmy Durante and Fred Allen.

Like Bob Newhart, has the ability to be funny without resorting to profanity.

In addition to numerous best-selling comedy albums over the years, for which he won several Grammy awards, Cosby had a top-40 hit as a singer in 1969 with "Little Old Man."

Bill's son, Ennis Cosby (27), was shot dead while fixing a flat tire off the San Diego Freeway. [16 January 1997]

Cliff Huxtable, Cosby's character on "The Cosby Show" (1984), was ranked #1 by TV Guide in its list of the 50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time [20 June 2004 issue].

The character Dr. Hibbert from "The Simpsons" (1989) is based on him.

He and wife Camille O. Cosby have five children: Erika, Erinn, Ensa, Evin, and Ennis (deceased).

Outstanding athlete at Temple University, in football and track and field.

Fat Albert, Old Weird Harold, and Dumb Donald were based on his series of comedy routines about his school pals, and he tested them on his most appreciative audience: his mother.

Dyslexia ran in the Cosby family. Bill didn't inherit it, but brother Russell Cosby did (not finding out until he was an adult). Bill's son Ennis was dyslexic, but overcame it well enough to graduate from college.

Was once part-owner of the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association.

Was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) for his commitment to advancing higher education and for his longtime love and promotion of jazz. [May 2004]

Within 15 seconds after watching Kenan Thompson's Fat Albert (2004) audition tape, he said to director Joel Zwick, "Hire him!"

Inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 1994.

Biography in "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pp. 120-122. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

Many elements of "The Cosby Show" (1984) were references to his own family. Phylicia Rashad's (Clair Huxtable's) maiden name was Hanks, like his wife Camille's maiden name. Also, like he has in real life, the Huxtables had four daughters and one son.

When "The Cosby Show" (1984) was ruling the NBC line-up in the mid-'80s, he insisted that NBC purchase and use Ikegami studio cameras for the production of his show. At the time NBC was owned by RCA, whose studio cameras NBC used exclusively. But Cosby felt that Ikegami's product produced a better picture. NBC agreed and used the cameras.

All his children name's start with the letter E for excellence

Wife Camille O. Cosby (nee Hanks) is related to Tom Hanks, and both share lineage with Abraham Lincoln through Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks.

Insisted that "The Cosby Show" (1984) be filmed in New York; he disliked working in Hollywood.

When "The Simpsons" (1989)) started competing with "The Cosby Show" (1984) in 1989, the already declining audience of the show decreased even more. Because of this, both shows had a playful attitude toward each other. "The Cosby Show" made small references to the "The Simpsons", including one episode where Bill wore a Bart Simpson mask, and "The Simpsons" made small references to "The Cosby Show", including the character of Dr. Hibbert, a direct reference to Cosby.

Won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album six years in a row, 1965 to 1970.

He decided to become a stand-up comedian when he was a bartender. Many of the bar's customers would comment on how funny he was and tell him to try his act on stage for an audience. He is one of the most successful stand-up comics in history, releasing numerous hit records of his shows and still selling out venues to this date.

Was an Honoree at the Kennedy Center Awards, and attended the ceremony with Bill Clinton, and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

His wife, Camille O. Cosby, is a direct descendant of Nancy Hanks, Abraham Lincoln's mother.

Has been imitated by various comedians, such as Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Dave Coulier, Eddie Griffin, and Kenan Thompson.