Bill Cosby
- Net worth $50 million
- Birthday July 12, 1937
- Status Married
- Country United States
- Ethnicity African-American
- Source(-s) of wealth Actor, Author, Comedian, Singer
How much is Bill Cosby Worth? Bill Cosby Net Worth in 2026
Bill Cosby’s net worth is estimated at $400 million as of October 2026. Bill Cosby is an American former comedian, actor and author. His fortune still rests largely on the earnings of The Cosby Show and decades of stand-up, television and books.
| Net worth | $400 million (October 2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Estimated annual income | Historically from television, stand-up, books and royalties |
| Born | 12 July 1937, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (age 89) |
| Country | United States |
| Occupations / sources of wealth | Stand-up comedy, television, books, music |
| Known for | The Cosby Show and I Spy |
How much is Bill Cosby worth in 2026?
Bill Cosby’s net worth is estimated at $400 million. Cosby’s wealth was built mainly on The Cosby Show, which ran from 1984 to 1992, along with stand-up comedy, books and endorsements. Estimates vary widely, and this is an approximation.
Bill Cosby in 2026: what they’ve been up to
- No new professional projects have been verified for 2026.
- Cosby is now a former performer; his career output is mainly television, stand-up and books from earlier decades.
- His best-known work, The Cosby Show, ran from 1984 to 1992 and was the number one show in America for five years.
How Bill Cosby makes money
- Television: earnings from I Spy, The Cosby Show and later series, plus rerun and syndication income.
- Stand-up and recordings: decades of comedy tours and albums.
- Books and endorsements: authorship and brand deals. No individual figures are given here.
Career timeline
- 1960s: begins stand-up comedy in San Francisco after serving in the US Navy.
- 1960s: stars in the TV show I Spy.
- 1970s: regular on the children’s series The Electric Company during its first two seasons.
- 1970s: stars in a number of films. His character Fat Albert dates from the start of his stand-up career.
- 1984 to 1992: produces and stars in The Cosby Show, rated the number one show in America for five years.
Early life and background
Bill Cosby was born in Philadelphia, one of four sons of Anna Pearl, a maid, and William Henry Cosby Sr., a mess steward in the US Navy. His father spent years away during World War II.
At school he was a standout athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball and running track, and was class president and class clown. He worked before and after school selling produce and shining shoes to help his family.
After failing the tenth grade at Germantown High School he worked as a shoe repair apprentice, then enlisted in the Navy. He served as a hospital corpsman working in physical therapy with injured service members. He discovered his comic talent bartending in a Philadelphia club, where jokes boosted his tips.
Bill Cosby net worth FAQ
What is Bill Cosby’s net worth?
Bill Cosby’s net worth is estimated at $400 million as of October 2026, though estimates vary widely.
How did Bill Cosby make money?
Mainly through The Cosby Show, stand-up comedy, television, books and endorsements.
How old is Bill Cosby?
Bill Cosby was born on 12 July 1937, so he is 89 years old.
Where is Bill Cosby from?
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What is Bill Cosby known for?
He is best known for I Spy and The Cosby Show, which ran from 1984 to 1992.
How is Bill Cosby’s net worth estimated?
It is based on public reporting about his past television, stand-up and book earnings, so it is approximate.
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How we estimate net worth
Our estimates are based on public reporting, company valuations, and deal and earnings figures all compiled in an internal valuation model. They are approximate, and figures change over time as new information emerges.
Last updated: October 2026.