Bill Cosby's childhood is a familiar one to those who grew up watching "Fat Albert."
Born in 1937, the comedian grew up in Philadelphia, hanging out with the likes of Albert, Old Weird Harold, Dumb Donald, Rudy, Nolan and Weasel, who were later immortalized in the animated series as well as in Cosby's later routines.
One of the most successful entertainers in America, Cosby initially had little ambition to become a funnyman. He attended Temple University on an athletic scholarship and played football. But he also held a night job at a local bar where he discovered his ability to make people laugh.
Unlike most black comedians of the era, whose acts hinged heavily on race, Cosby attracted a diverse audience with his observational material.
"His humor is self-deprecating and insightful," said history professor Richard Aquila. "Many Americans, regardless of their race or ethnicity, can identify with his characters."
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Cosby performed mainly in nightclubs, making the occasional appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" or "The Andy Williams Show." His big break came with the comedy album boom of the early 60s when he released such classics as "Bill Cosby is a Very Funny Fellow ... Right!" which featured his now famous Noah routine.
On television he helped break down racial barriers starring opposite Robert Culp in "I Spy." He won three consecutive Emmys for his work on the series, despite the fact he had little previous acting experience.
In the 1970s, his greatest success came with "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" which ran for seven seasons, with a spin-off in the 1980s.
"They were never just black people you might have known. They could have been anybody," telecommunications professor Maria Williams-Hawkins said. "Fat Albert's neighborhood could have been in a lot of places. It was in a black project in Philadelphia, but the kids and the way they acted were not limited nor bound by race."
"The Cosby Show" helped make Cosby one of America's wealthiest comedians, and was credited by some as helping to revive the sitcom.
"Its impact is hard to pin down, Aquila said. "But clearly it appealed to audiences during the Reagan years, when Americans valued traditional values and working hard to achieve the American Dream."
Cosby's son Ennis, who was the basis for Theo on 'The Cosby Show,' was murdered in 1997. He set up a foundation in Ennis' name, dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia and learning disabilities.
Though he's had limited success on television in recent years, (his last sitcom, "Cosby," ran only four seasons) his appeal continues to span racial and age boundaries.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
