Longtime Character Actor Bill Cobbs, 90, Dies At Home In Riverside

RIVERSIDE, CA—Bill Cobbs, whose acting career spanned decades and included nearly 200 movie and television show credits, died Tuesday at his home in Riverside. He was 90.

Cobbs' publicist, Chuck I. Jones, confirmed his passing to media outlets.

A family member also confirmed the actor's death via Facebook.

"We are saddened to share the passing of Bill Cobbs. On Tuesday, June 25, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in California. A beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather and friend, Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by cherished loved ones," the social media post read. "As a family we are comforted knowing Bill has found peace and eternal rest with his Heavenly Father. We ask for your prayers and encouragement during this time."

A cause of death was not released.

Cobbs was a prolific character actor, known for big-screen film roles such as Louisiana Slim in "The Hitter" (1979), Walter in "The Brother from Another Planet" (1984), Orvis in "The Color of Money" (1986), Reginald in "Night at the Museum" (2006), Devaney in "The Bodyguard" (1992), Arthur Chaney in "Air Bud" (1997) and Master Tinker on "Oz the Great and Powerful" (2013).

"I loved working with Bill on 'Night at the Museum,"' actor Ben Stiller wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "What a great career. Kind and a pro, he classed up any project he was a part of. Sending love to his family."

Cobbs also appeared on television. He played a mocking bartender on the Dabney Coleman series "The Slap Maxwell Story." He played the bus driver Tony on "The Drew Carey Show," and Dr. Emory Erickson, the inventor of the Transporter, on "Star Trek: Enterprise."

Cobbs made guest appearances on "Walker, Texas Ranger " and "The Sopranos." In 2020, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Performance in a Daytime Program for the series "Dino Dana."

Cobbs made his feature film debut in 1974's "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" after starting his acting career at the African American Performing Arts Center and Karamu House Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio.

"I came back home to see my mom and dad, and all our friends and neighbors went to see the movie, and everyone was waiting for my appearance," Cobbs told Cleveland-based newspaper The Plain Dealer in 2013.

He moved to New York and joined the Negro Ensemble Company, with the likes of Ruby Dee, Adolph Caesar and Moses Gunn.

"Once I realized I could walk on the stage with people like that, I thought, 'Maybe I can be an actor,"' he said in 2015.

In 2020, he guest starred in the two-part series finale of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," portraying an unnamed elderly S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

Cobbs continued working to the end, with his IMDb page showing multiple releases still to come, including the drama film "Broken Church" starring Eric Roberts.

Born William Francisco Cobbs on June 16, 1934, in Cleveland, he was raised in the city before serving in the Air Force for eight years. After his military career ended, he took various jobs and continued to work outside of acting to support himself even after his screen career ignited in the 1970s.

Social media remembrances and tributes continued Wednesday.

"Rest In Peace Mr. Bill Cobbs. I absolutely loved this actor. Such great ease. Never got enough flowers," actor and orchestral conductor Damon Gupton shared.

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph wrote, "Emmy winner, working actor and wonderful human being, Bill Cobbs transitioned to act on a higher stage June 25th after celebrating his 90th birthday June 16th RIP."