Main content
This programme is not currently available on 主播大秀 iPlayer

Bill Cosby: Fall of an American Icon

The fascinating story of how one of Hollywood's brightest and wealthiest stars finally came to face a criminal trial for sexual assault a decade after the accusations were made.

This film tells the fascinating story of how one of Hollywood's brightest and wealthiest stars finally came to face a criminal trial for sexual assault a decade after the accusations were made. On June 5th 2017, Bill Cosby faced trial charged with sexual assault. A mistrial was declared after the jury was deadlocked.

From the start of his career in 1960s, Cosby was on a trajectory to become one of the biggest television stars in the world. The eponymous Cosby Show, with Bill's alter ego Cliff Huxtable as the lead, was his career's crowning glory. With its affluent, happy black family at its heart, it redefined the way African-American families were represented on television. During this period, Cosby also became a huge philanthropist, donating millions to African-American causes.

But throughout his career, Bill was allegedly privately drugging and raping women with impunity. This film explores why it took so long for allegations about Bill Cosby to be taken seriously, and hears extraordinary testimony from the journalists, co-stars and the accusers who fought for years for this dark side of the Cosby story to be heard.

Containing interviews with those who knew Cosby professionally and personally, such as Richard Pryor's widow Jennifer Lee Pryor, actor Joseph C. Phillips as well as accusers, fellow Cosby actor Lili Bernard, and former actor and Playboy Bunny, Victoria Valentino.

After this film was first transmitted Cosby faced retrial in April 2018. He was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 28 Apr 2018 23:00
主播大秀 Two Northern Ireland

Clips

See all clips from Bill Cosby: Fall of an American Icon (2)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:08

    Nina Simone

    I Put A Spell On You (Album Version)

  • 00:10

    Not Credited

    I Spy

  • 00:12

    Stu Gardner & Bill Cosby

    Kiss Me

    Theme from The Cosby Show

  • 00:16

    Ray Charles

    (Night Time Is) The Right Time

Credits

Executive Producer Lucy Pilkington
Producer Ricardo Pollack
Director Ricardo Pollack
Producer Vanessa Moussa
Editor Andrew Rushton
Interviewed Guest Victoria Valentino
Interviewed Guest James Poniewozik
Interviewed Guest Joseph C Phillips
Interviewed Guest Lynn Norment
Interviewed Guest Jennifer Lee Pryor
Interviewed Guest Robert Huber
Interviewed Guest Rebecca Traister
Interviewed Guest Lili Bernard
Interviewed Guest Maryclaire Dale
Interviewed Guest Beth Ferrier
Interviewed Guest Dan McQuade
Interviewed Guest Gloria Allred
Production Company Sugar Films

Broadcasts