Bill Cobbs, a legendary actor known for taking seemingly small but pivotal roles in about 200 film and television shows, has died aged 90.
According to his agent, Chuck I. Jones, Cobbs, who played Whitney Houston’s manager Bill Devaney in the 1992 film The Bodyguard, passed away on Tuesday in his California home, surrounded by his family and friends.
The Cleveland-native’s career began in the mid-1970s with the Broadway productions Black Picture Show and The First Breeze of Summer.
Before starting an acting career, Cobbs served eight years in the US air force as a radar technician. After that, he was a car seller, but he eventually decided to leave Cleveland for New York and try himself in the film industry.
Throughout the ’70s and into the ‘80s, this legendary actor landed roles in Good Times, The Equalizer, One Life to Live and Sesame Street.
In 1993, he appeared in the sci-fi thriller Demolition Man. Three years later, Cobbs played alongside Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler and Steve Zahn in That Thing You Do!
The list of films and television credits under his belt is a rather long one, including films such as Air Bud, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Night at the Museum, Sunshine State, Oz the Great and Powerful and The Drew Carey Show, among the rest.
In 2020, Cobbs appeared on the TVOKids children’s series Dino Dana, which won him a Daytime Emmy for outstanding limited performance in a daytime program.
The final project in which he appeared was the 2023 TV mini-series Incandescent Love.
Cobbs’ sudden passing was also confirmed by his brother, Thomas Cobbs. “Bill passed away peacefully at his home in California. A beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather and friend, Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by cherished loved ones. As a family we are comforted knowing Bill has found peace and eternal rest with his Heavenly Father. We ask for your prayers and encouragement during this time,” he wrote on the social media.
A number of fans shared their condolences. “Thank you Mr. Bill Cobbs for following your dreams and sharing your gifts,” someone wrote. “It’s crazy how many movies Bill Cobbs was in! His voice was great. I will miss him very much,” another person added.
We are so very sorry for the loss of a legendary actor as Bill Cobbs. May he rest in peace.
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