Bill Cobbs, born Wilbert Francisco Cobbs, died peacefully at his home in California on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. He was 90.
Bill Cobbs dies: What’s the cause of death?
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According to a statement from his family, shared by his representative, Cobbs was surrounded by loved ones as he recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
The exact cause of death was not disclosed, but the family mentioned he found peace and eternal rest with his Heavenly Father.
“As a family, we are comforted knowing Bill has found peace and eternal rest with his Heavenly Father,” the statement read.
The family has requested prayers and support during this difficult time, as they mourn the loss of a beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather, and friend.
Bill Cobbs biography
Bill Cobbs was born on 16 June 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio.
He was the son of Vera, a domestic worker, and David Cobbs, who worked in construction.
Before pursuing acting, Cobbs served in the US Air Force as a radar technician for eight years.
He later worked at IBM and sold cars in Cleveland. At 36, he moved to New York to chase his dream of becoming an actor.
Cobbs supported himself through various odd jobs, including driving a cab and repairing office equipment, while he participated in small theatre productions.
Cobbs’ acting career began in earnest at the African American Performing Arts Centre and Karamu House Theatre in Cleveland.
His first professional role was in Ride a Black Horse at the Negro Ensemble Company.
From there, he appeared in various theatre productions, street theatre, and regional theatre. He made his feature film debut in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three in 1974.
Over his extensive career, Cobbs appeared in numerous films and television shows.
Some of his notable film roles included Louisiana Slim in The Hitter (1979), Walter in The Brother from Another Planet (1984), and Reginald in Night at the Museum (2006).
He also had memorable roles in Air Bud, The Bodyguard, and Oz the Great and Powerful.
Cobbs was also a familiar face on television, with roles in series such as I’ll Fly Away, The Michael Richards Show, Walker, Texas Ranger, and The Sopranos.
In 2020, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for his performance in the series Dino Dana.
Cobbs’ legacy in the entertainment industry is marked by his versatility and the depth he brought to each character he portrayed.
Reactions to Cobbs’ death
The news of Bill Cobbs’ passing has elicited heartfelt reactions from fans, colleagues, and the entertainment industry.
Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes, celebrating his extensive career and the impact he had on film and television.
Here are some of the reactions we picked: