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COSBY COMING TO CONFERENCE CENTER COURTESY OF CASINO
Niagara Falls, NY, October 2004 - You would be hard-pressed to find anyone young or old, male or female, of any ethnic group, that hasn't heard of and admired Bill Cosby. Seneca Niagara Casino is bringing the 67-year-old comedian, actor, producer, author, philanthropist and outspoken parent to the Niagara Falls Conference Center at 8 p.m. on Friday, November 26. Tickets are $40 and $50 and available at SenecaNiagaraCasino.com, Eight Clans Gift Shop, ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's stores.
Cosby joined the U.S. Navy in 1956. After his discharge, he received an athletic scholarship to Temple University in Philadelphia in 1961. During his sophomore year, he left Temple to entertain at the Gaslight Caf� in Greenwich Village in New York City. He soon established a trademark comedic style characterized by a friendly and accessible stage persona and a relaxed, carefully-timed delivery. During the 1960s, Cosby toured across the U.S. and Canada.
After establishing his name on the nightclub circuit in 1963, Cosby auditioned to fill a guest spot on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show." An instant success, he became the first African-American to host the program regularly.
Cosby won multiple GRAMMY® Awards for comedic recordings throughout the 1960s. He is particularly known for routines about childhood friends like Fat Albert and Old Weird Harold. Cosby is one of the best-selling comedians of all times on record. He has had 21 albums on the national pop charts as well as six singles. Three albums were on the Top 10 - "Revenge" went to number two on Billboard - and three others hit the Top 20.
It was during Cosby's nightclub circuit period that Carl Reiner caught his act in Pittsburgh and introduced him to producer Sheldon Leonard, who signed him to star in the "I Spy" series (1965-68). Cosby was the first African-American actor to star in a lead dramatic role on network television. His portrayal of a secret agent won him three Emmy Awards and helped to advance the status of African-Americans on television. Subsequent television projects included the series of Bill Cosby Specials (1968-71, 1975), the situation comedy "The Bill Cosby Show" (1969-71), the variety show "The "New Bill Cosby Show" (1972-73) and the successful cartoon "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" (1972-84, 1989). He appeared in numerous commercials and on children's shows such as "Sesame Street" and "Electric Company."
Cosby's most successful work, "The Cosby Show," appeared on NBC from 1984 to 1992, becoming one of the most popular situation comedies in television history. The show depicted a stable, prosperous African-American family and avoided racial stereotypes. The show had broad cross-cultural appeal and won several major awards.
"The Cosby Show" marked the apex of Cosby's public celebrity and financial success, but his accomplishments extend beyond. In addition to his numerous television ventures, Cosby continues to perform live. He also has written a number of books, including the best-selling "Fatherhood" (1986) and "Love and Marriage" (1989), and several children's books in the "Little Bill" series for early readers. Throughout his career, Cosby has endorsed the products of Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola, Eastman Kodak, E. F. Hutton and Jell-O.
Cosby is also dedicated to education. He and his wife have donated generously to numerous colleges and in 1989 gave $20 million to Spelman College. Recently, Cosby has been very outspoken about education and parenting. He has won cheers as he carries a serious message to the African-American community urging parents to take responsibility for educating and raising their children.
Seneca Niagara Casino is New York State's first full-service casino featuring reel-spinning and video slot machines. Just a few blocks from world-famous Niagara Falls, the Casino is located at 310 Fourth Street. The 112,590 square feet gaming floor houses more than 3,200 slot machines and 97 table games. A separate smoke-free casino, Turtle Island, is also available to patrons along with the Poker Room and the high-stakes Blue Heron Room.
In addition to gaming, Seneca Niagara Casino offers several restaurants including Thunder Falls Buffet, Morrie's Place and The Western Door: A Seneca Steakhouse. The Bear's Den Showroom, a 443-seat showroom-style theater and Club 101, a unique music venue located in the heart of the gaming floor, provide live entertainment. Free parking is available to patrons through complimentary valet services, self-parking areas and a four-story garage with covered walkway. The Casino is owned and operated by The Seneca Nation of Indians.
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