Bill Cobbs was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where his parents, hard-working individuals, instilled in him a strong sense of self-reliance and humility. As an amateur actor, he took center stage at the Karamu House Theater, starring in Ossie Davis's play "Purlie Victorious". Cobbs's professional journey began with a stint as an Air Force radar technician, serving for eight years. He later worked in office products at IBM and sold cars in Cleveland.
However, at the age of 36, Cobbs made the bold decision to leave Cleveland and head to New York City to pursue a career in acting. He turned down a job in the NBC sales department, opting instead to focus on auditions and build a career in the entertainment industry. To support himself, Cobbs worked a variety of odd jobs, including driving a cab, repairing office equipment, selling toys, and performing odd jobs.
Cobbs's first professional acting role was in "Ride a Black Horse" at the Negro Ensemble Company. He went on to appear in small theater productions, street theater, regional theater, and at the esteemed Eugene O'Neill Theater. His first television credit was in the educational series "Vegetable Soup" (1975),a New York public television production. Cobbs made his feature film debut in "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" (1974).
When not working, Cobbs enjoys a variety of hobbies, including music, reading, and playing his drums. He currently resides in both New York City and Los Angeles, California, and continues to act in film, television, and theater productions.
