For more than 50 years, Bill Cosby was one of America's leading entertainers — a standup comedian who became a television star and was once known as "America's Dad."

But his reputation has been tarnished in recent years by allegations of rape and sexual assault — allegations he has repeatedly denied.

Cosby was convicted of aggravated indecent assault in 2018 and sentenced to 3 to 10 years in a state prison. He was released from prison in 2021 after Pennsylvania's highest court overturned the conviction, saying his due process rights were violated.

The stunning decision reversed the first high-profile celebrity criminal trial of the #MeToo era.

In early December 2022, five women filed a lawsuit against Cosby in New York state court, accusing him of sexual assault and abuse dating back decades. At least two other lawsuits have been filed since, one in New York and one in California, by other women accusing Cosby of sexual assault. Cosby's press representative has denied the allegations.

Cosby, shown here in 1965, began his career in New York nightclubs as a standup comedian. His clean-cut style became a career mainstay.
Cosby, shown here in 1965, began his career in New York nightclubs as a standup comedian. His clean-cut style became a career mainstay.
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Cosby feeds one of his children circa 1965. Cosby first made his name with his comedic storytelling, which were often based on his own childhood experiences.
Cosby feeds one of his children circa 1965. Cosby first made his name with his comedic storytelling, which were often based on his own childhood experiences.
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Cosby won three Emmys for his portrayal of Alexander Scott, an Oxford-educated spy who travels undercover with his tennis-playing partner, Kelly Robinson (Robert Culp) in "I Spy," which aired on NBC from 1965 to 1968. Cosby was the first African American to star in an American dramatic series.
Cosby won three Emmys for his portrayal of Alexander Scott, an Oxford-educated spy who travels undercover with his tennis-playing partner, Kelly Robinson (Robert Culp) in "I Spy," which aired on NBC from 1965 to 1968. Cosby was the first African American to star in an American dramatic series.
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Cosby and fellow comedian Phyllis Diller attend a Hollywood party in the 1960s.
Cosby and fellow comedian Phyllis Diller attend a Hollywood party in the 1960s.
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Cosby shaves while in Las Vegas for a performance in February 1968.
Cosby shaves while in Las Vegas for a performance in February 1968.
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Chairs have Cosby's face on them at a press conference in Las Vegas in February 1968.
Chairs have Cosby's face on them at a press conference in Las Vegas in February 1968.
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Cosby, third from right, is among protesters taking part in the Poor People's March on Washington in June 1968. The Poor People's Campaign was organized by Martin Luther King Jr. to gain economic justice for poor people in the United States.
Cosby, third from right, is among protesters taking part in the Poor People's March on Washington in June 1968. The Poor People's Campaign was organized by Martin Luther King Jr. to gain economic justice for poor people in the United States.
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Cosby makes a funny face during a TV special that aired in 1969.
Cosby makes a funny face during a TV special that aired in 1969.
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Cosby and Dick Cavett pose with Primetime Emmy Awards they won in June 1970. Cosby won the Emmy for his special that aired in 1969.
Cosby and Dick Cavett pose with Primetime Emmy Awards they won in June 1970. Cosby won the Emmy for his special that aired in 1969.
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Cosby talks with children at the United Nations in New York, where he was taping an international Christmas message in 1970.
Cosby talks with children at the United Nations in New York, where he was taping an international Christmas message in 1970.
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Cosby sits with music legend Ray Charles during "The Midnight Special" program that aired in March 1973.
Cosby sits with music legend Ray Charles during "The Midnight Special" program that aired in March 1973.
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Cosby stars with Sidney Poitier in the 1975 film "Let's Do It Again."
Cosby stars with Sidney Poitier in the 1975 film "Let's Do It Again."
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Cosby stars in the short-lived sketch comedy series "Cos" in 1976.
Cosby stars in the short-lived sketch comedy series "Cos" in 1976.
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Cosby's biggest TV hit, "The Cosby Show," premiered in 1984. Cosby starred as Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, and the sitcom focused on Huxtable and his family. It was the No. 1 show on television for several seasons.
Cosby's biggest TV hit, "The Cosby Show," premiered in 1984. Cosby starred as Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, and the sitcom focused on Huxtable and his family. It was the No. 1 show on television for several seasons.
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Cosby races Olympic champion Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1989.
Cosby races Olympic champion Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1989.
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Cosby surfs the internet with 9-year-old Kenny Rowell as he visited a school in Boston with US Sen. Ted Kennedy in 1997.
Cosby surfs the internet with 9-year-old Kenny Rowell as he visited a school in Boston with US Sen. Ted Kennedy in 1997.
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Cosby performs a standup routine in 2000.
Cosby performs a standup routine in 2000.
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Cosby sits with baseball great Hank Aaron after they both received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. The medal is America's highest civilian award.
Cosby sits with baseball great Hank Aaron after they both received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. The medal is America's highest civilian award.
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Cosby appears on the set of the film "Fat Albert" with actor Kenan Thompson, center, and director Joel Zwick in 2004. The movie was the live-action version of "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids," a Saturday morning cartoon series that Cosby created in 1972 and ran for more than a decade.
Cosby appears on the set of the film "Fat Albert" with actor Kenan Thompson, center, and director Joel Zwick in 2004. The movie was the live-action version of "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids," a Saturday morning cartoon series that Cosby created in 1972 and ran for more than a decade.
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Students listen to Cosby after one of his town-hall forums in Milwaukee in August 2005. During his forums, Cosby talked to students and parents about taking responsibility for their actions.
Students listen to Cosby after one of his town-hall forums in Milwaukee in August 2005. During his forums, Cosby talked to students and parents about taking responsibility for their actions.
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Cosby talks to Hurricane Katrina refugees in Houston in September 2005. His shirt reads "Hello, friend" — a tribute to his late son, Ennis, who used that as a regular greeting.
Cosby talks to Hurricane Katrina refugees in Houston in September 2005. His shirt reads "Hello, friend" — a tribute to his late son, Ennis, who used that as a regular greeting.
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Cosby speaks with Tim Russert during a taping of "Meet the Press" in 2007. Cosby and Alvin Poussaint spoke about their new book "Come On, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors."
Cosby speaks with Tim Russert during a taping of "Meet the Press" in 2007. Cosby and Alvin Poussaint spoke about their new book "Come On, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors."
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Cosby is recognized as an honorary chief petty officer by US Navy leaders in Washington in February 2011.
Cosby is recognized as an honorary chief petty officer by US Navy leaders in Washington in February 2011.
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Cosby appears at the commencement ceremony for Temple University, his alma mater in Philadelphia, in May 2011.
Cosby appears at the commencement ceremony for Temple University, his alma mater in Philadelphia, in May 2011.
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Cosby performs in Melbourne, Florida, in November 2014.
Cosby performs in Melbourne, Florida, in November 2014.
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A worker cleans actor Cosby's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after someone vandalized it in December 2014. This was after some of the allegations against Cosby had come to light.
A worker cleans actor Cosby's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after someone vandalized it in December 2014. This was after some of the allegations against Cosby had come to light.
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Cosby leaves a courthouse in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, after he was arraigned on charges of aggravated indecent assault in December 2015. Cosby was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home in 2004.
Cosby leaves a courthouse in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, after he was arraigned on charges of aggravated indecent assault in December 2015. Cosby was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home in 2004.
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Cosby walks through the Montgomery County Courthouse during jury selection for his sexual assault retrial in Norristown, Pennsylvania, in April 2018. His first trial ended in a mistrial after a Pennsylvania jury of seven men and five women were unable to come to a unanimous decision.
Cosby walks through the Montgomery County Courthouse during jury selection for his sexual assault retrial in Norristown, Pennsylvania, in April 2018. His first trial ended in a mistrial after a Pennsylvania jury of seven men and five women were unable to come to a unanimous decision.
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In September 2018, Cosby was convicted and sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison.
In September 2018, Cosby was convicted and sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison.
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Cosby and members of his team speak to the media outside his home in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, after his conviction was overturned and he was released from prison in June 2021.
Cosby and members of his team speak to the media outside his home in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, after his conviction was overturned and he was released from prison in June 2021.
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