Photo Courtesy of NBC
The Cosby Show follows the Huxtable family, an upper middle-class, African-American family who lives in Brooklyn, New York. Patriarch Dr. Heathcliff “Cliff” Huxtable (Bill Cosby), is an obstetrician, husband and devoted family man. Cliff has a basement office in their brownstone home, allowing him to see patients and closely monitor his five children. Matriarch Claire Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) is a lawyer who has her hands full with their children and Cliff. The Huxtable kids, Sondra (Sabrina Le Beauf), Denise (Lisa Bonet), Theodore “Theo” (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) and Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) are generally disciplined, happy and well-behaved, but occasionally test their parents’ patience.
Photo Courtesy of NBC
Cliff’s father Russell (Earle Hyman) is a prominent jazz trombonist and role model for the entire family. He is married to Anna (Clarice Taylor), devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
Several cast members join the show later in the series, including Elvin Tibideaux (Geoffrey Owens), Sondra’s on-and-off boyfriend; Lt. Martin Kendall (Joseph C. Phillips), Denise’s future husband; Olivia Kendall (Raven-Symone), Martin’s daughter and Denise’s stepdaughter; and Pam Tucker (Erika Alexander), Claire’s distant cousin who lives with the family when her mother moves away.
Photo Courtesy of NBC
Main Cast
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Heathcliff Huxtable | Bill Cosby |
| Claire Huxtable | Phylicia Rashad |
| Sondra Huxtable Tibideaux | Sabrina Le Beauf |
| Denise Huxtable Kendall | Lisa Bonet |
| Theodore Huxtable | Malcom-Jamal Warner |
| Vanessa Huxtable | Tempestt Bledsoe |
| Rudy Huxtable | Keshia Knight Pulliam |
| Olivia Kendall | Raven-Symone |
| Elvin Tibideaux | Geoffrey Owens |
| Russell Huxtable | Earle Hyman |
| Anna Huxtable | Clarice Taylor |
Photo Courtesy of NBC
Additional Cast
| Character | Actor | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Lt. Martin Kendall | Joseph C. Phillips | 1985-1992 |
| Kenny | Deon Richmond | 1986-1992 |
| Pam Tucker | Erika Alexander | 1990-1992 |
| Peter Chiara | Peter Costa | 1989 |
| Charmaine Brown | Karen Malina Whit | 1990-1992 |
| Walter “Cockroach” | Carl Anthony Payne II | 1986-1987 |
| Denny | Troy Winbush | 1987-1991 |
| Janet Meiser | Pam Potillo | 1985-1990 |
| Lance Rodman | Allen Payne | 1990-1992 |
| Howard | Reno Wilson | 1988-1989 |
| Justine Phillips | Michelle Thomas | 1988-1990 |
| Winnie Tibideaux | Jessica Ann Vaughn | 1991-1992 |
| Winnie (infant) | Dominique & Monique Reynolds | 1989-1990 (Jalese & Jenelle Grays 1988-1989) |
| Nelson Tibideaux | Gary LeRoi Gray | 1991-1992 |
| Nelson (infant) | Christopher & Clayton Griggs and Darrian & Donovan Bryant |
1989-1990 |
| Kim Ogawa | Naoka Nakagawa | 1985-1990 |
| Kara | Elizabeth Narvaez | 1988-1990 |
| Stanley | Merlin Santana | 1991-1992 |
| Carrie Hanks | Ethel Ayler | 1984-1992 |
| Robert Foreman | Dondre Whitfield | 1985-1987 |
| Lou Hernandez | Alex Ruiz | 1989 |
| Marlon | Carlton Beener | 1991-1992 |
| Sam Lucas | David Langston Smyrl | 1985-1987 |
| Jeffrey Engels | Wallace Shawn | 1987-1991 |
| Dabnis Brickey | William Thomas Jr. | 1991-1992 |
| Smitty | Adam Sandler | 1987-1988 |
| Dr. James Harmon | Sullivan Walker | 1988-1991 |
| Francine Tibideaux | Marcella Lowery | 1988-1989 |
| Cheryl | Vanessa Williams | 1988-1989 |
| Danielle | Nicolle Rochelle | 1990-1992 |
| Herman | Maurice Lauchner | 1990-1991 |
| Eugene | Eugene Boyd | 1991-1992 |
| Al Hanks | Joe Williams | 1985-1992 |
| Book Club Member #3 | Alva Chinn | 1985-1989 |
| Andy Witherspoon | Carmen Finestra | 1987-1990 |
| Gerald | Brian Grant | 1987-1988 |
| Lana Herman | Ana D. Zenon | 1987 |
| Announcer | Ahmad Rashad | 1988-1991 |
| Lester Tibideaux | Dennis Scott | 1988-1989 |
| Danny | Keith Diamond | 1989-1991 |
| Susan Hennings | Lisa Rieffel | 1989-1990 |
| Alfred Phelps | Ray DeMattis | 1990-1991 |
| Aaron Dexter | Seth Gilliam | 1990-1991 |
| Slide | Mushond Lee | 1990-1991 |
| Mrs. McGee | Elaine Stitch | 1989-1990 |
| Susan | Rachel Hillman | 1990-1992 |
| Latisha | Yunoka Doyle | 1991-1992 |
| Rahim | Kennan Scott | 1991-1992 |
| Deirdre Arpello | Gabrielle Camouche | 1992 |
| Guy in Club | Daryl Mitchell | 1985-1991 |
| Cat | Akili Prince | 1985-1991 |
| Mrs. Mitchell | Angela Bassett | 1985-1988 |
| Birthday Party Guest | Linda Wang | 1985-1987 |
| Leslie Engels | Blaire Whitney | 1991 |
| Mrs. Hudson | Lynne Thigpen | 1991 |
| Dhamiri Abayomi | as himself | 1985-1986 |
| Col. “Tailwind” Turner | Joshua Culbreath | 1985-1986 |
| Ira Davis | as himself | 1985-1986 |
| Larry James | as himself | 1985-1986 |
| Michelle | Stacey Dash | 1985 |
| Mrs. Kenton | Ann Flood | 1985 |
| Mrs. Dubois | Shari Headley | 1985 |
| Woman | Edythe Jason | 1985 |
| Mrs. Gwynne | Lauren Tom | 1985 |
| Denise’s Friend | Blair Underwood | 1985 |
| Audrey | Audrey Wong | 1985 |
| Paula | Essence Atkins | 1986-1989 |
| Teresa | Traci Wolfe | 1986-1989 |
| Donnie | Claude Brooks | 1986-1988 |
| Gerald | Eddie Castrodad | 1986-1988 |
| Dr. Barnabus Foster | Roscoe Lee Browne | 1986-1987 |
| Mr. Chiara | Barry Moss | 1986-1987 |
| Eddie Lakehart | Clayton Prince | 1986-1987 |
| Aaron Stokes | Emundo Russell | 1986-1987 |
| Tyrone Baxter | Jason Warwin | 1986-1987 |
| Anna Maria Westlake | Sonia Braga | 1986 |
| Homer | Bill Gunn | 1986 |
| Jack Westlake | Matt Williams | 1986 |
| Tanya | Tanya Wright | 1986 |
| Herb Temple | Ron Foster | 1987-1991 |
| Mr. Howe | Alvin Lum | 1987-1991 |
| Mr. Fields | Lee Weaver | 1991 |
| Althea Logan | Malinda Williams | 1987-1990 |
| George | Khalif Bobatoon | 1987-1988 |
| Cheryl | Susan Diol | 1987-1988 |
| Paul Chiara | Alex Germain | 1987-1988 |
| Lyle Thompson | Dennis Singletary | 1987-1988 |
| Dr. Jerry Taylore | Tico Wells | 1987-1988 |
| Mr. Davis | Lou Myers | 1987 |
| Beth Engels | Penni Penniman | 1987 |
| Nicole Harmon | Michele Shay | 1988-1991 |
| Jo Ann | Jodi Long | 1988-1990 |
| Wayne Urich | Darrell Echols | 1988-1989 |
| Sylvia | LaChanze | 1988-1989 |
| Julia | Naomi Campbell | 1988 |
| Carolyn Gregory | Grace Johnston | 1988 |
| Paula | Victoria Rowell | 1989-1990 |
| Amy | Avanti Taylor | 1989-1990 |
| Karen | Pamila Blair | 1989 |
| Dr. Lotus | Moses Gunn | 1989 |
| Officer Harrison | Eden Svendahl | 1989 |
| Gorlando Antonio Morales | as himself | 1990-1992 |
| Jonathan | Jonathan Halyalkar | 1990 |
| Richie | Ted Lothrop | 1990 |
| Nicki | Rachel True | 1991-1992 |
| Dave | Jerome Dempsey | 1991 |
| Carlos | Edwin Maldonado | 1991 |
Photo Courtesy of NBC
Trivia
According to TV Guide, the series “was TV’s biggest hit of the 80’s, and almost single-handedly revived the sitcom genre and NBC’s rating fortunes.” The series was originally rejected by the ABC network.
The Cosby Show generated a spin-off series, A Different World, which lasted for six seasons. The show was supposed to follow Lisa Bonet’s character Denise, but she was written out after the first season when she became pregnant.
Claire Huxtable’s maiden name is Hanks, which is also the maiden name of Bill Cosby’s wife (Camille O. Cosby).
Anna was the first name of both Cliff Huxtable’s mother and Bill Cosby’s mother. The first name of Cliff’s father was Russell, also the name of Bill Cosby’s younger brother.
The character Sondra was not in the pilot; she was added just after because they thought it would prove a good upbringing can result in a college education.
Sabrina Le Beauf and Whitney Houston were the top contenders for the role of Sondra; Le Beauf won due to her theatrical experience.
Photo Courtesy of NBC
During later seasons, Cliff wears a black button with the letters “SDJR” in honor of Bill Cosby’s friend, Sammy Davis, Jr., who died during the run of the series.
Rudy Huxtable was supposed to be a boy; however, directors couldn’t find the right boy for the part and opened the audition to girls.
On TV Guide’s list of “50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time” Cliff Huxtable is number one.
Cockroach was fired from the show for his refusal to cut his hair.
Opposed to competition between the performers, Bill Cosby requested to never be nominated for an Emmy Award.
Bill Cosby’s only son, Ennis Cosby, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery in Los Angeles in 1997 by Mikhail Markhasev, who was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years. The Cosby family asked prosecutors not to seek the death penalty.
The Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation was established in 1997 by Bill and Camille Cosby to help those with learning difficulties, as Ennis Cosby was dyslexic. A scholarship was created in 2000 in Ennis’ name by Bill Cosby at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Photo Courtesy of NBC
In 2004 Phylicia Rashad became the first African-American actress to win a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her role in A Raisin in the Sun.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Michelle Thomas dated. With Warner by her bedside, Michelle died in 1998 of a rare form of stomach cancer.
Tempestt Bledsoe has been in a relationship with Darryl M. Bell of A Different World for 16 years.
At six years old, Keshia Knight Pulliam was the youngest actress to be nominated for an Emmy award as “Best Supporting Actress.”
Actress Raven-Symone was ranked eighth on VH1’s “100 Greatest Kid Stars of All Time” list.
Geoffrey Owens is the son of United States Congressman Major Owens.
Photo Courtesy of NBC
Clarice Taylor died in 2011 of congestive heart failure at 93 years old.
Earle Hyman speaks Norwegian fluently and has a cabin in Norway, where he’s acted since the 1950s.
Leave a Reply