Camille Hanks Cosby
| Camille Cosby | |
|---|---|
Camille Cosby at the 2000 Peabody Awards
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| Born |
Camille Olivia Hanks March 20, 1944 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Camille O. Cosby, Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby |
| Alma mater |
University of Maryland University of Massachusetts (PhD) |
| Occupation | Television producer |
| Known for | Philanthropy |
| Spouse(s) | Bill Cosby (m. 1964) |
| Children | 5, including Erika Cosby and Ennis Cosby |
| Parent(s) | Guy A. Hanks, Sr. Catherine C. Hanks |
| Awards | 1992 Candace Award |
Camille Cosby (born Camille Olivia Hanks; March 20, 1944) is an American television producer, author, philanthropist, and the wife of comedian Bill Cosby. The character of Clair Huxtable from The Cosby Show was based on her.
Camille was born Camille Olivia Hanks on March 20, 1944, in Washington D.C., to Guy A. Hanks, Sr. and Catherine C. Hanks (b. 1922). She grew up in Norbeck, Maryland, just outside Washington. She is the oldest of four children and is a distant cousin of Nancy Hanks Lincoln, mother of United States President Abraham Lincoln. Cosby's father was a chemist at Walter Reed General Hospital and her mother worked at a nursery. Both of Cosby's parents had college educations, with her father earning a graduate degree from Fisk University and her mother earning an undergraduate degree from Howard University.
Cosby attended private Catholic schools. First, she attended St. Cyprian’s, followed by St. Cecilia’s Academy. After high school, Cosby studied psychology at the University of Maryland. While a student there, she went on a blind date during her sophomore year with Bill Cosby. Engaged shortly after they started dating, the pair married on January 25, 1964.
Following their marriage, Cosby and her husband had five children: Erika (born April 8, 1965), Erinn, Ennis (April 15, 1969 – January 16, 1997), Ensa, and Evin. Ennis was murdered in 1997 at age 27.
Cosby acts as manager for her husband and has been depicted as a "shrewd businesswoman." During an interview with Ebony Magazine, Bill Cosby stated, "People would rather deal with me than with Camille. She's rough to deal with when it comes to my business." She also "helps in the development of her husband's material", including suggestions for The Cosby Show, suggesting the Huxtable family be middle- rather than working-class.
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