William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr., is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. Over the past century, few entertainers have achieved Cosby’s legendary status. His 1960s stand-up comedy act was a sensation from coast to coast, leading to a string of best-selling comedy albums, for which he won eight Gold Records, five Platinum Records and five Grammy Awards.   His role on TV’s I Spy made him the first African-American co-star in a drama series; breaking television’s racial barrier and winning three Emmy Awards. His 1980s television show, The Cosby Show, single-handedly revived the family sitcom and rescued NBC. With hit movies like Uptown Saturday Night and best-selling books like Fatherhood, Cosby has been described by many as a national treasure with a unique ability to touch people’s hearts.