Bill Cobbs, an actor who had a lengthy career and played famous parts in films such as Night at the Museum and The Bodyguard, has passed away. A member of Cobbs’ family sent a message on Facebook stating that the actor passed away “peacefully at his home in California” on the 25th of June. TMZ was the first news outlet to report on his passing.
“A beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather and friend, Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by cherished loved ones,” his family stated in the greeting that was sent.
“The knowledge that Bill has attained peace and everlasting rest with his Heavenly Father brings us, as a family, a wonderful sense of comfort. During this difficult time, we ask that you pray for us and provide us encouragement.
In a statement, Susan Zachary, who had been Cobb’s talent agent for a long time, stated, “He was loyal and dear… an inspiring actor, director, and human.” Everyone who had the privilege of knowing him will grieve his passing deeply.
Actor and director Bill has an extraordinary amount of skill. “He was extremely generous with his time, energy, and support of emerging talent,” Zachary continued. “He loved his craft, other actors, his family, and his friends. He also loved his family and friends extremely.” “He was a revered icon to many and deservedly so.”
Cleveland, Ohio is the place of birth for the actor, who, before his success in Hollywood, served for eight years as a radar specialist for the United States Air Force. With the intention of pursuing a career in acting, he relocated to New York City in 1970, when he was 36 years old, as stated in his IMDb profile. In the end, he made his debut in the film industry with the 1974 film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.
Films such as “Air Bud” (1997), “Demolition Man” (1993), and “The People Under the Stairs” (1991) are among the films that have made Cobbs famous. In 1992, he appeared in the film The Bodyguard, which featured Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. In the Night in the Museum movie, he portrayed the role of Reginald with Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney, who passed away in 2014.
The role that Cobbs played in the series Dino Dana earned him a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Best Limited Performance in a Daytime Show in the year 2020.
Who is Bill Cobbs
Wilbert Francisco Cobbs was an American actor who was born on June 16, 1934, and passed away on June 25, 2024. He is best known for his parts in films such as Louisiana Slim in The Hitter (1979), Walter in The Brother from Another Planet (1984), Reginald in Night at the Museum (2006), and Master Tinker in Oz the Great and Powerful (2013). In addition, he appeared as Lewis Coleman on I’ll Fly Away (1991–1993) and Jack on The Michael Richards Show (2000). He has had guest appearances on other television shows, including Walker, Texas Ranger and The Sopranos. During the year 2012, he appeared in the sitcom Go several times in the character of George. The series Dino Dana earned him a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Limited Performance in a Daytime Program in the year 2020.
Bill Cobbs Early Life
Wilbert Francisco Cobbs was born on June 16, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio. His mother, Vera, worked as a domestic servant, while his father, David, worked in construction. Wilbert Francisco Cobbs was named after his mother. As a brother, he was known by the name Thomas Cobbs. James Baskett, who played the role of Song of the South, was another actor’s second cousin.
Bill Cobbs Career
Cobbs moved to New York in 1970, at the age of 36, to pursue an acting career. Until he could support himself via acting, he drove a taxi, fixed office equipment, sold toys, and other odd jobs.
Cobbs received his first feature film role in 1974, in “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.” The next year, he participated in the short film “A Boy and a Boa.” He played Mr. Jones in “Greased Lightning” in 1977, and then in “A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ But a Sandwich” in 1978. In 1979, he portrayed Louisiana Slim in the film “The Hitter,” his most notable performance to date. In 1983, he participated in the films “Trading Places” and “Silkwood.” The next year, he appeared in “The Brother From Another Plane” and “The Cotton Club.” He featured in the films “Compromising Positions” (1985) and “The Color of Money” (1986). Throughout the remainder of the 1980s, he acted in films including “Dominick and Eugene,” “Bird,” “The January Man,” and “Picking Tribes.”
Cobbs’ cinematic career took off much more in the 1990s. In 1991, he appeared in three films: “New Jack City,” “The Hard Way,” and “The People Under the Stairs.” The following year, he appeared in “Roadside Prophets,” “Exiled in America,” and “The Bodyguard.” In 1993, he played the aging Zachary Lamb in “Demolition Man” and also starred in “Fatal Instinct.” Cobbs got the part of Moses in 1994’s “The Hudsucker Proxy”. In 1995, he participated in six features and shorts, including “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead,” “Fluke,” and “Man with a Gun.” In 1996, he received parts in “First Kid,” “That Thing You Do!” and “Soulmates,” followed by roles in “Air Bud” in 1997. He wrapped off the decade with performances in “Paulie,” “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,” and “Random Hearts.”
Bill Cobbs’s Net Worth
Bill Cobbs was a well-known American actor who had a net worth of two million dollars. Bill Cobbs has approximately 200 acting credits to his name during the course of his career, which spanned many decades. It was his parts in films such as “The Hitter,” “The Hudsucker Proxy,” “Night at the Museum,” “The Bodyguard,” and “The Brother from Another Planet” that brought him the most fame. He was also recognized for his roles in television shows such as “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “The Sopranos.”
