Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend [Hardcover]

Ronald L. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

Comedian, actor, and writer Bill Cosby is one of the most successful and respected entertainers in America. Yet the Cosby we know today came from a much different place and time than the ideal featured in his 1980s hit series "The Cosby Show," where the main character was a loveable, responsible doctor and family man. "Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend" by Ronald L Smith, a recognised writer on comedy and comedians, tracks the humble upbringing of the Cos in the Philadelphia projects; explores the inspiration he drew from his family, his teachers, the strong female figures in his life, and the books he read; discusses the hardships he experienced while working several jobs to help support his sisters and brothers after his father deserted the family; and reveals his lean years as a budding comic, his early successes, and the big break that brought him to television. As the only biography of Bill Cosby for the adult market, this book explores his feelings and thoughts in great detail, while masterfully documenting Cosby's trailblazing work as a pioneering black performer who was one of the first to co-star in a drama series, "I Spy." Also discussed is Cosby's dedication to education and his efforts on behalf of children. Included are exclusive interviews with family, friends, Cosby's college coach, his first manager, technical advisors from "The Cosby Show" and other big stars. Smith also includes a complete and up-to-date checklist of Cosby's writings, records, films, and television credits.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA. Smith's updated version of Cosby (1986) is not a tell-all celebrity biography but rather a factual account of Cosby's life from his early childhood to the present. Sporting a new jacket cover, the book has some new black-and-white photographs; an additional five chapters; and a revised list of Cosby's books, recordings, etc. This narrative concludes with the tragic death of Ennis Cosby. The author chronicles the comedian's career and life experiences with entertaining reminiscences from family, friends, actors, and the man himself. Readers may already be familiar with the Cosby wit, humor, and style but may not be aware of the struggle and dedication of a person who is comfortable with who he is. In reading these pages, one will find Cosby's human frailties and emotions that contribute to his huge success. Cosby's humanitarian and educational values will motivate readers to become positive contributors to society.?Connie Freeman, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In over 20 years as an entertainer Bill Cosby has established a reputation as a humorist who appeals to almost every segment of the American listening and watching public. Although much of his comedy is based on childhood reminiscences, he has been a success in nightclubs, on a TV spy series, and on record albums. Along the way he has been criticized for not emphasizing racial issues but has responded by emphasizing that the everyday problems of black and white people are often interchangeable. Smith effectively intersperses comedy routines with childhood memories, and the result is a warm, relaxed kind of book, much in Cosby's own style. The biography is as up to date as it can be, ending with a chapter on Cosby's new TV show. Photographs not seen. Recommended for most collections. Samuel Simons, Memorial Hall Lib., Andover, Mass.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 258 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books; Rev Sub edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573921262
• ISBN-13: 978-1573921268
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #583,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A man for all things, February 24, 2008

By 

William Pulgarin "Neighborhood Critic" (Medellin, Colombia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend (Hardcover)

The book depicts the life of Bill Cosby, and his rise to superstardom. The book gives the reader insight into a myriad of situations, like the attempted rape of Cosby's daughter by Mike Tyson, the sucker punch that Bill Cosby landed on the face of Tommy Smothers, the day Cosby stopped mid-show, and the failures of his movies and various other projects. The book is an honest portrayal of the total life of Bill Cosby - both his failures and successes.

The book offers a glimpse into Cos' breakthrough performances on television and movies. Everything to the I-Spy television series in the 1960s to the movie Ghost Dad in the 1990s. Always under the public microscope, Cosby has been overtly criticized for never being black enough and for not dealing directly with black issues. When the Cosby show first appeared, people criticized the show for being a false representation of a black middle-class family. But Cosby always had a vision for creating a show that would depict human issues and behavior and not black issues nor white issues - just human issues. It is somewhat ironic that the same media that chastises actors and comedians for speaking out on issues, also chastises actors and comedians when they gives us their opinions on issues. For example, the same media that tore down Cosby for not standing up for black issues, also criticized him when he began to lecture and give speeches about the issues he felt strongly about - namely, education and television programming. For Cosby, it has always been a lose-lose situation.

I wholeheartedly recommend the book. Let me end on a funny note...

David Letterman's Top Ten
The Top Ten Rejected Plots for the Final Cosby Show
- After prosecuting Gotti, Clair gets whacked.
- Whole group settles down to view a tape of Ghost Dad
- Family learns that Cliff's colorful sweaters have given them radiation poisoning.
- Alien creature explodes from Theo's stomach and eats everyone

4.0 out of 5 stars Matt's Review, May 29, 2008

By 

Laura A. Mills (APO, AE United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend (Hardcover)

This book, Cosby The Life of a Comedy Legend is a biography about Bill Cosby and his struggles and accomplishments through is long life. I thought this book was an alright book, at times it was kind of confusing and at some parts of the book it was boring, for it was the same stuff over and over for a bit. The book was very fun to read and it was very informative, I learned so much about Bill Cosby. The book is very informative about Cosby, from his childhood, to him in collage, to him has an adult, and some present day information. Some of this information included information like: Bill Cosby was born in July of 1936 to Anna and William Cosby. Cosby was born and raised in Philidelphia. Cosby went to Temple University. Bill Cosby went to the navy after dropping out of High School. Cosby played football and track in collage. Before Cosby was a comedian he was a bartender. Things like that. So if your bored one day or you need to do a project or something on a famous person, consider picking up this book; it's great!

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative, March 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cosby: The Life of a Comedy Legend (Hardcover)

it very informitive and told a lot about his lif