Veteran actor Bill Cobbs has died at age 90. Cobbs passed away on Tuesday night at his home in Riverside, CA, of unannounced causes, according to TMZ. His brother, pastor Thomas G.
Cobbs, shared the news on Facebook on Wednesday. “We are saddened to share the passing of Bill Cobbs,” he wrote. “On Tuesday, June 25, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in California,” Thomas continued.
“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.” Cobbs had recently celebrated his milestone birthday on June 16.
A prolific character actor, Cobbs had a 50-year-career with nearly 200 credits to his name, including roles in “Air Bud,” “The Bodyguard” and “New Jack City.” In “Night At the Museum,” he played a security guard opposite Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney. He wasn’t in his first movie until he was 40, finding success later in life.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Cobbs served in the U.S. Air Force as a radar technician for 8 years before his Hollywood career.
He began acting in Cleveland’s Karamu House, a historic black theater that hosted premieres of Langston Hughes’ plays. He also worked as a car salesman before moving to New York at age 36 to try his luck — and ultimately succeed — as an actor. During that time, he supported himse.
