06/26/2024
I had the extreme pleasure and great good fortune to represent Bill Cobbs from the inception of my first management company The Marshak/Zachary Co. in 2001. He followed me when I had a brief stint as an agent and then again when I opened my own management firm, The Zachary Co. He was one of my first clients in each incarnation of this leg of my professional career and I am honored and proud to be his last talent representative. He was loyal and dear… an inspiring actor, director, and human. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Bill was a hugely talented actor and director. He loved his craft, other actors, his family and friends and was extremely generous with his time, energy and support of emerging talent. He was a revered icon to many – and deservedly so.
Bill was especially proud to have won two Emmys for his work as Mr. Henderson on Dino Dana and he received a standing ovation from the cast and crew on his last independent feature Block Party which was a heartwarming experience for him.
Bill Cobbs was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, served in the United States Air Force, worked at IBM and sold cars before moving to New York to pursue his acting career at the age of 36. His first professional acting role was Ride a Black Horse at the Negro Ensemble Company. From there he appeared in small theater productions, street theater, regional theater, and at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. His first television credit was Vegetable Soup, a New York public television educational series, and he made his feature film debut in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three in 1974.
A professional actor for over 50 years, Cobbs performed in more than 75 stage plays on and off Broadway and throughout the United States, starred in over 100 feature films and television shows. Select series regular credits include Go On, The Michael Richards Show, The Slap Maxwell Show. Guest star roles include Dino Dana (Emmy Award-winning role of Mr. Henderson), Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Superior Donuts, The Carmichael Show, Greenleaf, Hand of God, Rake, The Outer Limits, I'll Fly Away, Yes, Dear, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Others, JAG, The Drew Carey Show, October Road, One Tree Hill, Star Trek: Enterprise (as Dr. Emory Erickson, inventor of the Transporter) and many more. His film credits include The Great Gilly Hopkins, Night at the Museum, Air Bud, Ghosts of Mississippi, The Hudsucker Proxy, That Thing You Do, Oz the Great and Powerful, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.
Mr. Cobbs was also a distinguished and highly regarded director, most recently directing The Meeting, about Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, that Zoomed on Juneteenth during the early days of the pandemic.
Bechir Sylvain who starred in The Meeting as Malcolm X released this statement which captures Bill Cobbs' essence and impact perfectly:
“In the presence of a legendary giant, I found myself closer than ever before. A man renowned and revered by all the greats. There wasn’t a soul untouched by his charm, captivated by his mere presence on stage or anywhere else. He was more than a mentor to me, more than a teacher, more than a friend. He became a second father, guiding me through life’s intricacies.
To know Bill Cobbs was to embrace jazz, to appreciate the beauty of black theater, to savor a good Chardonnay or a margarita, to indulge in a great cigar, and to engage in profound conversations. It meant cherishing one’s black heritage, adoring black people, and living and breathing the art of acting. To know Bill was to witness a walking encyclopedia of history, recalling the name of every person on set effortlessly. To know Bill was to receive invaluable advice and wisdom, straight from the depths of his soul.
Bill taught me the essence of love, pouring his heart into every interaction, never once losing his passion for the craft he held dear. And in knowing Bill Cobbs, I learned to reciprocate that love, to give it back with equal fervor. He also taught me “ when there is nothing to do on stage… do that” less is always better
Bill Cobbs was not just someone I knew; he was family, an anchor grounding me to reality when life grew tumultuous. In his presence, I felt the warmth of belonging, the assurance that I was part of something greater. His legacy lives on within me, a constant reminder of the profound impact one soul can have on another. May you make God and of course Shannon smile while welcoming you home. You will be missed. Rest in power Mr William Cobbs”
His family released this statement earlier today:
"We are saddened to share the passing of Bill Cobbs. On Tuesday, June 25, 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."
