---
name: "Bill Cobbs"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/bill-cobbs"
fi1m_id: "bill-cobbs"
imdb_id: "nm0167850"
tmdb_id: 8854
wikidata_id: "Q862028"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "16 June 1934"
died: "25 June 2024"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-05T12:50:29.589109+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Bill Cobbs

## Identity

Bill Cobbs

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/bill-cobbs
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** bill-cobbs
- **IMDb ID:** nm0167850
- **TMDB ID:** 8854
- **Wikidata ID:** Q862028
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cobbs, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q862028, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0167850/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8854

Actor. Born 16 June 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Died 25 June 2024.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 16 June 1934, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- **Died:** 25 June 2024
- **Active:** 1983–2013
- **Also known as:** William Francisco Cobbs, William Cobbs, بیل کابز, بیل کوبز, بیل کوبس
- **Frequently works with:** [Paul Newman](https://film.one/person/paul-newman.md), [Sam Raimi](https://film.one/person/sam-raimi.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (2), 1990s 76 (5), 2000s 86 (1), 2010s 80 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 73 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Comedy 4, Action 2, Adventure 1, Crime 1, Family 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $881m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cobbs, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q862028, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0167850/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8854

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Hudsucker Proxy*](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md) (78)
- **Paramount+:** [*The Bodyguard*](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md) (63)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Bill Cobbs (1934–2024) was an American actor. Born Wilbert Francisco Cobbs in Cleveland, Ohio, he served eight years in the US Air Force as a radar technician and later worked in sales and other jobs before moving to New York in 1970 to pursue acting at the age of 36.

His film roles included Moses in the Coen brothers’ *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), Bill Devaney in *The Bodyguard* (1992), Zachary Lamb in *Demolition Man* (1993), Reginald in *Night at the Museum* (2006) and its 2014 sequel, and Master Tinker in *Oz the Great and Powerful* (2013). Television credits included appearances in *The Sopranos* and *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.*. He won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2020 for his performance in *Dino Dana*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, hollywoodreporter.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (9)

- *The Muppets* (2011), Fi1m 80, as Grandfather — [page](https://film.one/film/the-muppets.md)
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), Fi1m 86, as Mr. Jones — [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *ER* (1994), Fi1m 88, as Mr. Bowman — [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Moses — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *Demolition Man* (1993), Fi1m 68, as Zachary Lamb - Aged — [page](https://film.one/film/demolition-man.md)
- *The Bodyguard* (1992), Fi1m 63, as Bill Devaney — [page](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md)
- *Northern Exposure* (1990), Fi1m 82, as Angelo Maxwell — [page](https://film.one/tv/northern-exposure.md)
- *The Color of Money* (1986), Fi1m 80, as Orvis — [page](https://film.one/film/the-color-of-money.md)
- *Trading Places* (1983), Fi1m 80, as Bartender — [page](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md)

## Complete filmography (154)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Broken Church* (2025), as Pastor Evans
- *Caroltyn* (2022), as Dr. Mason
- *Block Party* (2022), as Uncle Jim
- *Saving Paradise* (2021), as John Thompson
- *Dino Dana: The Movie* (2020), as Mr. Hendersen (Uncredited)
- *Beyond the Law* (2019), as Swilley
- *As Evil Does* (2018), as Jeremiah
- *Clipped Wings, They Do Fly* (2018), as Judge Johnson
- *My Christmas Grandpa* (2017), as Fred
- *New Life* (2016), as Mr. Charles
- *Call Me King* (2016), as Malachi
- *Greenleaf* (2016), series, as Henry McCready, John McCready
- *The Ultimate Legacy* (2015), as Ted Hamilton
- *The Great Gilly Hopkins* (2015), as Mr Randolph
- *A House Is Not a Home* (2015), as Paul
- *The Carmichael Show* (2015), series, as Vernon
- *Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb* (2014), as Reginald
- *Christmas in Palm Springs* (2014), as Gabriel
- *Of Mind and Music* (2014), as Stompleg
- *On Angel's Wings* (2014), as Mr. Dupac
- *Hand of God* (2014), series, as Papa Gene
- *Rake* (2014), series, as Judge Rutchland, Federal Judge
- *The Last Letter* (2013), as Pastor
- *Dear Secret Santa* (2013), as Ted
- *Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.* (2013), series, as Old Man
- *The Ultimate Life* (2013), as Ted Hamilton
- *Oz the Great and Powerful* (2013), as Master Tinker
- *Go On* (2012), series, as George
- *The Undershepherd* (2012), as Dr. Ezekiel Cannon
- *Lukewarm* (2012), as Thomas
- *The Muppets* (2011), as Grandfather — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-muppets.md)
- *The Tenant* (2011), as Jack Rymer
- *The Arcadian* (2011), as Charles
- *Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior* (2011), series, as Bishop Sanford
- *Harry's Law* (2011), series, as Judge
- *The Search for Santa Paws* (2010), as Mr. Stewart
- *Get Low* (2010), as Rev. Charlie Jackson
- *The Glades* (2010), series, as Gregory Richmond
- *No Limit Kids - Much Ado About Middle School* (2010), Actor
- *This Man's Life* (2008), as Myer Truman
- *The Morgue* (2008), as George
- *Side Order of Life* (2007), series, as Eddie Morgan
- *Army Wives* (2007), series, as Harry
- *October Road* (2007), series, Actor
- *The Ultimate Gift* (2007), as Ted Hamilton
- *Three Days to Vegas* (2007), as Marvin Jeffries
- *Night at the Museum* (2006), as Reginald
- *Hard Luck* (2006), as Cobb
- *Queen of Swing* (2006), as Narrator
- *Special Ed* (2006), as Lou
- *The Final Patient* (2005), as Dr. Daniel Green
- *The Derby Stallion* (2005), as Houston Jones
- *Duck* (2005), as Norman
- *10-8: Officers on Duty* (2003), series, as Earl Edmonds
- *One Tree Hill* (2003), series, as Gus — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/one-tree-hill.md)
- *A Mighty Wind* (2003), as Blues Musician
- *Sunshine State* (2002), as Dr. Elton Lloyd
- *Enough* (2002), as Jim Toller
- *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001), series, as Dr. Emory Erickson
- *A Rugrats Kwanzaa* (2001), as Uncle Charles (voice)
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Mr. Jones — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *My Wife and Kids* (2001), series, Actor
- *The Division* (2001), series, as Mr. Greene
- *The Michael Richards Show* (2000), series, as Jack
- *For All Time* (2000), as Proprietor / Conductor
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Harry Bastille
- *Yes, Dear* (2000), series, as Counterman
- *Soul Food* (2000), series, as Mr. Bradford
- *The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story* (2000), Actor
- *The Others* (2000), series, as Elmer Greentree
- *Random Hearts* (1999), as Marvin
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Alan Tatum — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Reverend James Sr. — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *I Still Know What You Did Last Summer* (1998), as Estes
- *L.A. Doctors* (1998), series, as Bob
- *The Wild Thornberrys* (1998), series, as Chief (voice)
- *Hope Floats* (1998), as Nurse
- *Paulie* (1998), as Virgil the Janitor
- *Always Outnumbered* (1998), as Right Burke
- *The Gregory Hines Show* (1997), series, Actor
- *Air Bud* (1997), as Arthur Chaney
- *Soulmates* (1997), as Mr. Williams
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Arthur Turner
- *Ghosts of Mississippi* (1996), as Charlie Evers
- *That Thing You Do!* (1996), as Del Paxton
- *First Kid* (1996), as Speet
- *Nightjohn* (1996), as Old man
- *Thrill* (1996), as Norm Duprey
- *Ed* (1996), as Tipton
- *Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead* (1995), as Malt
- *Out There* (1995), as Lyman Weeks
- *Man with a Gun* (1995), as Henry Griggs
- *JAG* (1995), series, as Matthew Turner
- *Divas* (1995), as Sippy
- *The Drew Carey Show* (1995), series, as Tony
- *Fluke* (1995), as Bert
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Second Elder - Prisoner No. 91777, Joe Dell
- *Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long* (1995), as Pullman Porter
- *The Watcher* (1995), series, Actor
- *The Wayans Bros.* (1995), series, as Fred Watson
- *Tuesday Morning Ride* (1995), as Jeff
- *Goldilocks and the Three Bears* (1995), as Caleb
- *Captiva Island* (1995), as Vernon
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Henry Baldwin
- *ER* (1994), series, as Mr. Bowman — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), as Moses — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *Fatal Instinct* (1993), as Man in Park
- *I'll Fly Away: Then and Now* (1993), as Lewis Coleman
- *Demolition Man* (1993), as Zachary Lamb - Aged — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/demolition-man.md)
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Bernie Carpenter, Norval Stevens — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *Walker, Texas Ranger* (1993), series, as Gino Costa
- *The Bodyguard* (1992), as Bill Devaney — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md)
- *Exiled in America* (1992), as Abraham White
- *Roadside Prophets* (1992), as Oscar
- *The People Under the Stairs* (1991), as Grandpa Booker
- *I'll Fly Away* (1991), series, as Lewis Coleman
- *Carolina Skeletons* (1991), as Elijah Crooks
- *New Jack City* (1991), as Old Man
- *The Hard Way* (1991), as Raggedy Man
- *Decoration Day* (1990), as Gee Pennywell
- *The Trials of Rosie O'Neill* (1990), series, as Fish Fry Baby
- *Gabriel's Fire* (1990), series, Actor
- *True Colors* (1990), series, Actor
- *Moe's World* (1990), Actor
- *Northern Exposure* (1990), series, as Angelo Maxwell — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/northern-exposure.md)
- *Coach* (1989), series, as George
- *The January Man* (1989), as Detective Reilly
- *Empty Nest* (1988), series, Actor
- *Bird* (1988), as Dr. Caulfield
- *Dominick and Eugene* (1988), as Jesse Johnson
- *Suspect* (1987), as Judge Franklin
- *Five Corners* (1987), as Elderly Man in Bar
- *Streets of Gold* (1986), as Dishwasher at Klebanov's (uncredited)
- *The Color of Money* (1986), as Orvis — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-color-of-money.md)
- *Designing Women* (1986), series, as Henry / Charlie
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Webb Johnson, Webb Cobbs
- *Johnny Bull* (1986), as Wiggins
- *Spenser: For Hire* (1985), series, Actor
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Barry
- *Compromising Positions* (1985), as Sgt. Williams
- *The Cotton Club* (1984), as Big Joe Ison
- *The Brother from Another Planet* (1984), as Walter
- *Kate & Allie* (1984), series, Actor
- *Silkwood* (1983), as Man in Lunchroom
- *Trading Places* (1983), as Bartender — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md)
- *Rage of Angels* (1983), series, as Abraham Wilson
- *The Member of the Wedding* (1982), as T.T. Williams
- *The Hitter* (1979), as Louisiana Slim
- *A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich* (1977), as Bartender
- *Greased Lightning* (1977), as Mr Jones, Mr. Jones
- *A Boy and a Boa* (1975), as father
- *The Taking of Pelham One Two Three* (1974), as Man on Platform
- *Good Times* (1974), series, Actor
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Gee Pennywell

## Gallery

- ![Bill Cobbs in 2009](https://film.one/media/person/84333/gallery-4f5382c8f7fe.jpg) Bill Cobbs in 2009 — Dennis Tudor (ATL_Buzz), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Bill_Cobbs.jpg/1280px-Bill_Cobbs.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bill Cobbs in 2009](https://film.one/media/person/84333/gallery-9ca44e1079c1.jpg) Bill Cobbs in 2009 — Dennis Tudor (ATL_Buzz), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Bill_Cobbs_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Bill Cobbs (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/84333/gallery-2aa3959b6f4e.jpg) Bill Cobbs (2016) — Hybrid LLC, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Bill_Cobbs_2024_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Bill Cobbs](https://film.one/media/person/84333/gallery-a4f61e672cdc.jpg) Bill Cobbs — Image via TMDB
- ![Bill Cobbs](https://film.one/media/person/84333/gallery-d81cd4e01222.jpg) Bill Cobbs — Image via TMDB
- ![Bill Cobbs](https://film.one/media/person/84333/gallery-3cca14098efa.jpg) Bill Cobbs — Image via TMDB
- ![Bill Cobbs](https://film.one/media/person/84333/gallery-d6c77b4fc6bb.jpg) Bill Cobbs — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/bill-cobbs