Known from "Bodyguard" and "Demolition Man" - Bill Cobbs passed away at the age of 90
He is one of those actors whose name perhaps not everyone knew - but his face was very familiar. Bill Cobbs, who could steal the show even in small roles and portrayed Whitney Houston's (1963-2012) manager in the 90s hit "Bodyguard," has passed away at the age of 90. This was reported by the American industry website "The Hollywood Reporter," citing a man named Chuck I. Jones - the star's publicist. According to Jones, Cobbs passed away in his home in the California city of Riverside on the previous Tuesday (June 25). The cause of death was given as natural causes.
Cobbs found his calling as an actor relatively late. Although he had already performed in various theater productions as a teenager, his first small film role did not come until he was 40 years old, in the 1974 crime thriller "Stop the U-Bahn 123." He recalled his mini-debut in 2013 with the words: "I went home to my mother and father and all our friends and neighbors had gone out to see the film. Everyone was waiting for my appearance. Then I went to a policeman on the U-Bahn and said: 'Hey man, what's going on?'" After these five words, his part was already over.
No Easy Start
It took another nine years before the next Hollywood role came along - in Eddie Murphy's (63) comedy "The Golden Child" (1983). From that point on, Cobbs found his place as a character actor in the dream factory, working with Martin Scorsese (81) in "The Color of Money" alongside Paul Newman (1925-2008) and Tom Cruise (61), and in "Tough Enough" (1990), "Demolition Man" (1993), and the aforementioned "Bodyguard" with Kevin Costner (69).
Cobbs retired from his acting career in old age, taking on roles in numerous other film productions and television series. His last roles were in the 2014 film "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb," and in 2018 in the television series "Superior Donuts."
Bill Cobbs' acting career took off in the '90s, gaining recognition for his role as Whitney Houston's manager in the hit movie "Bodyguard." This was a significant change from his early days, as he initially found his calling as an actor later in life at the age of 40, appearing in small roles. His notable roles in the '90s also included appearances in "Demolition Man" and "Tough Enough." Known from "Bodyguard" and "Demolition Man," Cobbs continued to work as an actor until his retirement, with his last roles being in the 2014 film "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" and the 2018 television series "Superior Donuts." The Hollywood Reporter reported his passing, citing natural causes at the age of 90 in Riverside, California.
