A face you might know before the name. A life well lived.
Renowned actor Bill Cobbs, celebrated for his extensive career in film and television, has passed away at the age of 90. His death was confirmed by his representative to “Good Morning America.” Cobbs died peacefully at his home in California on June 25, shortly after joyously celebrating his 90th birthday with close family and friends.
#RipBillCobbs
Actor Bill Cobbs, known for ‘The Bodyguard,’ ‘Night At the Museum,’ and much more dies at 90🌹 pic.twitter.com/89KRPqNOhi— Sanford&Son And The Jeffersons Fan Page (@SonAndPop) June 26, 2024
The family expressed their deep sorrow but also a sense of peace knowing that Cobbs had reunited with his Heavenly Father. They have requested prayers and support during this difficult time. Cobbs, whose career spanned several decades, was revered not only as a talented actor but also as a director who passionately supported emerging talents in the industry.
Starting his acting career at 36, Cobbs had a varied life before Hollywood, serving in the U.S. Air Force, working at IBM, and selling cars. His acting debut came with the Negro Ensemble Company in the play “Ride a Black Horse.” He gradually made his way to television, appearing first on the educational series “Vegetable Soup” on New York public television.
Bill Cobbs, veteran actor known for ‘The Bodyguard,’ ‘Night at the Museum’ and ‘Air Bud,’ dies at 90 https://t.co/EwP7idLmyd pic.twitter.com/FDGhyjH8Vt
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) June 26, 2024
Cobbs’ filmography is extensive, with more than 100 film and television credits. Among his most memorable roles are Devaney in “The Bodyguard” (1992), alongside Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, and parts in “Air Bud” (1997), “Night at the Museum” (2006), and “Oz the Great and Powerful” (2013). His television career was equally prolific, with appearances on shows like “The Michael Richards Show,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “The Carmichael Show,” and “The Sopranos.”
One of his standout performances was in “Dino Dana: The Movie,” where he played Mr. Hendrickson and won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding limited performance in a daytime program. Beyond acting, Cobbs made his mark as a director with “The Meeting,” a poignant narrative exploring a fictional encounter between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
Bechir Sylvain, an actor, writer, and director who worked closely with Cobbs, remembered him as more than a mentor: “He was like a second father, guiding me through life’s intricacies,” Sylvain reflected in a statement.
Bill Cobbs, the prolific and sage character actor, dies at 90https://t.co/4LPtaSr7o8 pic.twitter.com/ya7tqxA9Mq
— CP24 (@CP24) June 27, 2024
Bill Cobbs’ final performances were in the 2024 television shows “Diarra from Detroit” and “BMF,” capping a distinguished career that touched many through both his on-screen roles and his off-screen mentorship and kindness. His legacy in the entertainment industry is marked by both his talent and his unwavering dedication to nurturing new generations of artists.
Major Points:
- Veteran actor Bill Cobbs passed away at the age of 90 in his California home, shortly after celebrating his 90th birthday with family and friends.
- Cobbs began his acting career at age 36, following stints in the U.S. Air Force, at IBM, and as a car salesman.
- His filmography includes over 100 films and TV shows, with notable roles in “The Bodyguard,” “Air Bud,” “Night at the Museum,” and “Oz the Great and Powerful.”
- Cobbs won a Daytime Emmy for his role in “Dino Dana: The Movie” and directed the critically acclaimed “The Meeting,” about Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
- He was remembered by colleagues as a mentor and father figure, contributing significantly to the development of emerging talent in the entertainment industry.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
