"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. "

The Heart of a Child

Bill Cosby is one of America's most beloved stand-up comedian's and television stars.

Cosby's career started in 1963 after an appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Throughout the 1960's his fame soared from his comedy recordings and he was nominated for and won multiple Grammy Awards, and was one of the highest paid entertainers in the United States.

Cosby's comedy routine consists of stories more than jokes. His richest stories came from his Philadelphia childhood, particularly about his buddy Fat Albert, his brother Russell, and Old Weird Harold. His popularity led to a series of shows named after him: The Bill Cosby Show, The New Bill Cosby Show, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, Cos, The Cosby Show, The Cosby Mysteries, and Cosby.

He won several Grammies for his comedy albums -more than any other artist. He is also the author of humor books that are based upon his stand-up comedy with themes of fatherhood, love, and marriage.

Cosby is a leading educational philanthropist. He has worked to integrate education with his television projects. The Cosby Show, for example, was structured to represent children of all ages. This show also raised important educational issues of drugs, illiteracy, teen pregnancy, and gang violence. His most recent television program, "Kids Say the Darndest Things," aired from 1996-2002 was hosted by Cosby.

He currently lives in Shelburne, Massachusetts with his wife Camille Hanks. They have four daughters and one son who was murdered in January 1997 while changing a flat tire in Los Angeles, California.