News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Bill Cobbs Headshot

Bill Cobbs

Get Bill Cobbs Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1984
Cutler (Understudy)

[Broadway]
1982
Sam (Standby)

Willie (Standby)

[Broadway]
1975
Understudy (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1975
Alexander, J.D.

Alexander (Understudy)

J.D. (Understudy)


Movies

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
[ 1974 ] Man on Platform
A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich
[ 1977 ] Bartender
Greased Lightning
[ 1977 ] Mr. Jones
The Hitter
[ 1978 ] Louisiana Slim
Trading Places
[ 1983 ] Bartender
Silkwood
[ 1983 ] Man in Lunchroom
The Cotton Club
[ 1984 ] Big Joe Ison
The Brother from Another Planet
[ 1984 ] Walter
Compromising Positions
[ 1985 ] Sgt. Williams
The Color of Money
[ 1986 ] Orvis
Suspect
[ 1987 ] Judge Franklin
Five Corners
[ 1987 ] Man in Coffee Shop
Bird
[ 1988 ] Dr. Caulfield
Dominick and Eugene
[ 1988 ] Jesse Johnson
The January Man
[ 1989 ] Detective Reilly
The People Under the Stairs
[ 1991 ] Grandpa Booker
New Jack City
[ 1991 ] Old Man
The Hard Way
[ 1991 ] Raggedy Man
Exiled in America
[ 1992 ] Abraham White
The Bodyguard
[ 1992 ] Devaney
Roadside Prophets
[ 1992 ] Oscar
Demolition Man
[ 1993 ] Zachary Lamb - Aged
The Hudsucker Proxy
[ 1994 ] Moses
Fluke
[ 1995 ] Bert
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
[ 1995 ] Caleb
Man with a Gun
[ 1995 ] Henry Griggs
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead
[ 1995 ] Malt
Captiva Island
[ 1995 ] Vernon
Ghosts of Mississippi
[ 1996 ] Charlie Evers
That Thing You Do!
[ 1996 ] Del Paxton
First Kid
[ 1996 ] Speet
Ed
[ 1996 ] Tipton
Air Bud
[ 1997 ] Arthur Chaney
Soulmates
[ 1997 ] Mr. Williams
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
[ 1998 ] Estes
Hope Floats
[ 1998 ] Nurse
Paulie
[ 1998 ] Virgil the Janitor
Random Hearts
[ 1999 ] Marvin
Sunshine State
[ 2002 ] Dr. Elton Lloyd
Enough
[ 2002 ] Jim Toller
A Mighty Wind
[ 2003 ] Blues Musician
The Mortuary
[ 2004 ] Franklin Harmon
Lost
[ 2004 ] Jeremy's Boss
The Final Patient
[ 2005 ] Dr. Daniel Green
The Derby Stallion
[ 2005 ] Houston Jones
Special Ed
[ 2005 ] Lou
Duck
[ 2005 ] Norman
Sweet Deadly Dreams
[ 2006 ] Barney
The Ultimate Gift
[ 2006 ] Mr. Theophilus Hamilton
Night at the Museum
[ 2006 ] Reginald
Three Days to Vegas
[ 2007 ] Marvin Jeffries
The Rebel Heart
[ 2009 ] Ceph Cordner
Black Water Transit
[ 2009 ] Frank Vermillion
Get Low
[ 2009 ] Rev. Charlie Jackson
No Limit Kids: Much Ado About Middle School
[ 2010 ] Charlie
The Tenant
[ 2010 ] Jack Rymer
The Arcadian
[ 2011 ] Charles
The Muppets
[ 2011 ] Grandfather
The Undershepherd
[ 2012 ] Dr. Ezekiel Cannon
Lukewarm
[ 2012 ] Thom
Vampires in Venice
[ 2013 ] Dr. Dooley
Oz the Great and Powerful
[ 2013 ] Mter Tinker
The Ultimate Life
[ 2013 ] Mr. Theophilus Hamilton
The Last Letter
[ 2013 ] Ptor Bill T. Cobbs
Christmas in Palm Springs
[ 2014 ] Gabriel
On Angel's Wings
[ 2014 ] Mr. Dupac
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
[ 2014 ] Reginald
Of Mind and Music
[ 2014 ] Stompleg
The Great Gilly Hopkins
[ 2015 ] Mr. Randolph
A House Is Not a Home
[ 2015 ] Paul
Beyond the Silence
[ 2016 ] Judge Johnson
New Life
[ 2016 ] Mr. Charles
Call Me King
[ 2017 ] Malachi
As Evil Does
[ 2018 ] Jeremiah
Clipped Wings, They Do Fly
[ 2018 ] Judge Johnson
Beyond the Law
[ 2019 ] Swilley
Saving Paradise
[ 2021 ] John Thompson
Block Party
[ 2022 ] Uncle Jim

TV Shows

For Your Love
Uncle Stanley
Go On
George
Greenleaf
John McCready, Henry McCready
I'll Fly Away
Lewis Coleman
JAG
Chaplain Matthew Turner
NYPD Blue
Bernie Carpenter, Norval Stevens
The Drew Carey Show
Tony
The Gregory Hines Show
James Stevenson
The Outer Limits
Joe Dell, Second Elder - Prisoner No. 91777
The Slap Maxwell Story
The Dutchman

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Most Promising Performer

Bill Cobbs, Freeman


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Most Promising Performer

Bill Cobbs, What the Wine Cellars Buy

News


Actor Bill Cobbs Passes Away at 90

Actor Bill Cobbs has passed away. Learn more about Cobbs' life and work.
Karamu House to Present Langston Hughes' BLACK NATIVITY at Allen Theatre in December

Experience the magic of Langston Hughes' Black Nativity at Allen Theatre in December 2023. This powerful and uplifting play incorporates African traditions, gospel music, and dance, bringing the nativity story to life in a fresh and vibrant way.
The Negro Ensemble Company to Premiere MECCA IS BURNING at Harlem Schoool Of The Arts In August

From August 10 to 26, the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (NEC), in conjunction with their residency at Penn Live Arts, will perform the world premiere of 'Mecca Is Burning' at Harlem School of the Arts.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM Musical, With Music by Alan Menken, Has its First Workshop

The musical adaptation of Night at the Museum has had its first workshop! As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the stage adaptation of the film series is in the works, with music from Alan Menken.
Virtual Theatre Today: Thursday, September 10- with Next On Stage: Dance, Jim Brickman and More!

Today (September 10) in live streaming: Jim Brickman visits Backstage Live, Next on Stage: Dance premieres, and so much more!
Daytime Emmy Winners Announced For Children's, Lifestyle, and Animation Programming - ELENA OF AVALOR, RAPUNZEL'S TANGLED ADVENTURE, and More!

The virtual ceremony was hosted by Loni Love, which saw winners accept their awards from their own homes. The big winners for the night were Elena of Avalor which won three Daytime Emmys, as well as Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure which also received three.
Virtual Theatre Today: Friday, June 19- The Antonyo Awards, PETER PAN LIVE! and More!

Today (June 19) in live streaming: the first ever Antonyo Awards, Peter Pan Live! and so much more!
SESAME STREET, THE VIEW, and More Are Nominated for DAYTIME EMMYS - Full List!

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the nominees for the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards, which will be presented in a two-hour special on Friday, June 26 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Photo Flash: All-Access Pass To The National Black Theatre Festival Gala With Andre De Shields

2019 Tony winner Andre De Shields has been attending The National Black Theatre Festival® (NBTF) in Winston-Salem, N. C. since 1995. Dubbed the 'Black Theatre Holy Ground,' NBTF is the international outreach program of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, founded by the late Larry Leon Hamlin in 1979. The Festival, also founded by Hamlin, has been held biennially since 1989. The NCBRC celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, while the NBTF celebrated its 30th.
Photo Flash: Andre De Shields 'Lifts Every Voice' At The National Black Theatre Festival Kick Off

2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields spent his day off from HADESTOWN at The National Black Theatre Festival® (NBTF) in Winston-Salem, NC.
THE MEETING By Jeff Stetson Comes to The Zephyr Theatre

Brown Sugar Rehab has announced The Meeting. Directed by Bill Cobbs, starring Bechir Sylvain as Malcolm X, Ethan Henry as Martin Luther King Jr. and Justin Chu Cary as Rashad.
NAACP Reveals Nominations For The 28th Annual Theatre Awards

Once again, the NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch's Theatre Viewing Committee has spoken, and the nominations are in for the 28th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards. This year's pedigreed list of nominees collectively represents a rich, extensive dossier of legacies and accolades for both stage and screen. These nominees include members of a legendary 'gospel royal family' as well as a Legend whose part of an elite group of artists in the EGOT winners circle. These, along with all their fellow nominees, will be honored for their excellence on the small and large stages during our annual awards dinner, slated to be held on Monday, June 17, 2019, 6:00 p.m.at the prestigious Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
Sheba Enterprises to Bring Thriller AS EVIL DOES to the 26th Annual Pan African Film Festival

As Evil Does, a feature film written and directed by Yolanda Buggs, creatively tells the story of two young 'Saints Witnesses' Christian evangelists on a friendly pursuit of conversation about religion and God, who unknowingly ring the doorbell of a staunch atheist. They are invited in for what they believe will be a friendly discussion and perhaps some soul healing. When the conversation about the existence of God takes a dark, sinister turn for the worse, all hell breaks loose, resulting in supernatural forces, mayhem and heinous torture. The film stars veteran actor Bill Cobbs and rising star Dorian Missick, along with Holgie Forrester, Karl Sanders, Alycia Cooper, and Carsyn A. Rutland. As Evil Does marks Bill Cobbs' executive producing debut. The film is also produced by Andretta Hamilton, Dorian Missick and Wayne Overstreet. As Evil Does will be featured at the Pan African Film Festival, Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 6pm and again on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 1:20pm. The location is Cinemark Baldwin Hills Cinema 15 - 3650 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008. After screening As Evil Does, publicist, Tonya Carmouche states, 'Audiences will leave the theater mesmerized while discussing the brilliant twist and turns that unfolds as the writer takes us on a journey through this realistic thriller.' There will be a Q&A session with the cast after the Saturday screening. 'No filmmaker is an island. Without the support of generous investors and donors, a talented cast and crew, completing an independent film would not be possible,' states Yolanda Buggs, film writer and director. The film is being screened through the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding among peoples of African descent. PAFF is dedicated to racial tolerance through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression. Yolanda Buggs is an award-winning writer, director, and producer from Decatur, Georgia. Ms. Buggs attended graduate school at the prestigious American Film Institute where she received her M.F.A. in Screenwriting. She received her B.A. in Film and Video from Georgia State University. Upon graduating from AFI, Ms. Buggs began her entertainment work as a WGA Writer-Trainee on the sitcom 'The Parkers'. While working on the show, Yolanda was given the opportunity to pitch a fresh concept for the show's new main titles. After impressing executive producers with her ideas, Ms. Buggs was entrusted to direct the new 30-second show opening for season 4 of the series. Following her time at 'The Parkers,' Yolanda worked as an in-house producer for Steve Harvey's production company, Nu-Opp, Inc. After Nu-Opp, Yolanda worked on numerous reality television shows. Yolanda's most recent work, 'Beauty & The Baller,' an independent sitcom she helped produce alongside the show's creator was successfully licensed to Viacom. Season one of the show recently finished airing on BET Her.
Bill Cobbs to Direct THE MEETING at Theatre 68

Brown Sugar Rehab and Theatre 68 are excited to announce 'THE MEETING'  - Directed by Bill Cobbs, starring Bechir Sylvain as Malcolm X, Oscar Best as Martin Luther King Jr. and Justin Chu Cary as Rashad.
Marjorie Moon Joins New Federal Theatre as Administrative Consultant

???????Marjorie Moon, Executive Director Emeritus of Brooklyn's esteemed Billie Holiday Theatre, has joined the team of Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (www.newfederaltheatre.com) as Administrative Consultant.  
THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS In Theaters & On Demand October 7

A feisty foster kid's outrageous scheme to be reunited with her birth mother has unintended consequences in The Great Gilly Hopkins, an entertaining film for the entire family. Gilly Hopkins (Sophie Nélisse) has seen more than her share of foster homes and has outwitted every family she has lived with. In an effort to escape her new foster mother Mamie Trotter's (Kathy Bates) endless loving care, Gilly concocts a plan that she believes will bring her mother running to her rescue. But when the ploy blows up in Gilly's face it threatens to ruin the only chance she's ever had to be part of a real family.
THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS In Theaters & On Demand October 7

A feisty foster kid's outrageous scheme to be reunited with her birth mother has unintended consequences in The Great Gilly Hopkins, an entertaining film for the entire family. Gilly Hopkins (Sophie Nélisse) has seen more than her share of foster homes and has outwitted every family she has lived with. In an effort to escape her new foster mother Mamie Trotter's (Kathy Bates) endless loving care, Gilly concocts a plan that she believes will bring her mother running to her rescue. But when the ploy blows up in Gilly's face it threatens to ruin the only chance she's ever had to be part of a real family.
TV One Announces Its Holiday Programming Highlights

TV One celebrates the holidays with a programming slate of original movies, series and specials focused on love, laughter and lyrics.
Karamu House's Terrence Spivey to Open USITT 2015, March 18

Terrence Spivey, the dynamic artistic director of Cleveland's historic Karamu House theatre, will deliver the keynote address at USITT's 2015 Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Cincinnati next March.
THE LAST LETTER Available on DVD & Digital Download, 12/7

One Village Entertainment, an RLJ Entertainment brand, brings youThe Last Letter on DVD and digital download December 17, 2013. The Last Letter tells the story of a newly married couple whose relationship is put to the test when the wife's secretive past comes back to haunt them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Bill Cobbs been in?

Bill Cobbs has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Bill Cobbs been in?

Bill Cobbs has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Bill Cobbs been nominated for?

Bill Cobbs has been nominated for Most Promising Performer at the Drama Desk Awards for his performances in Freeman and What the Wine Cellars Buy.

What awards has Bill Cobbs won?

Bill Cobbs has won the Most Promising Performer award at the Drama Desk Awards for his performances in Freeman and What the Wine Cellars Buy.

Get Bill Cobbs Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos