This graphic is based on previously unreported court records, Washington Post interviews and allegations made by Cosby’s accusers in written statements or media interviews. In some instances, accusers have not divulged exact information, such as their ages at the time of the alleged incidents or the year the incidents allegedly took place. Cosby has said he did not sexually assault women.
[At 78, Bill Cosby’s life is a blur of legal minutiae, lawyers and judges]
He was an American icon — a barrier-breaking black artist, a voice of morality, whose lovable father-figure image was cemented by his most enduring character, Dr. Cliff Huxtable of “The Cosby Show.” But the legacy of Bill Cosby has been reshaped by the accusations of at least 58 women who have said he raped or sexually harassed them between the mid-1960s and the late 2000s, including dozens who say he drugged them before the alleged assaults. The accusations span the continent: 19 cities, 11 states and one foreign country, Canada. Cosby is facing lawsuits on both coasts and a criminal prosecution.
The alleged incidents occurred all over the United States, but Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas were the most common locations. Cosby's Manhattan brownstone, the Playboy Mansion and the Las Vegas Hilton pop up frequently as the locales of the alleged incidents.
Most of the accusers were much younger than Cosby (born in 1937), who was in his 40s and 50s when many of the alleged incidents took place.
The accusations stretch from 1965 — the year "I Spy" debuted and one year after Cosby married his wife, Camille — to 2008, when he was 71.
Many of the accusers were aspiring actresses and models who believed Cosby could help their careers.
Highlighted: Aspiring actresses, models and singers at the time of the alleged incident.About two-thirds of the allegations involve drugging and follow a similar pattern, with Cosby allegedly offering the women pills or drinks and the women saying they wake up naked in bed with Cosby after blacking out.
Highlighted: women who said they were drugged in their accusations.Though many women have come forward and accused Cosby, not all of them have sued him. Most of the civil lawsuits filed against Cosby are for alleged defamation, although he has also been sued for sexual battery. Many of the women are barred from suing him or seeking criminal charges by statutes of limitation.
He was an American icon — a barrier-breaking black artist, a voice of morality, whose lovable father-figure image was cemented by his most enduring character, Dr. Cliff Huxtable of “The Cosby Show.”
Accusers
58
But the legacy of Bill Cosby has been reshaped by the accusations of at least 58 women who have said he raped or sexually harassed them between the mid-1960s and the late 2000s, including dozens who say he drugged them before the alleged assaults. The accusations span the continent: 19 cities, 11 states and one foreign country, Canada. Cosby is facing lawsuits on both coasts and a criminal prosecution.
‘I don’t remember leaving the dinner show. When I came to, I was lying in Bill Cosby’s bed not my own room.’
Pamela Abeyta. Read her statement
By location
The alleged incidents occurred all over the United States, but Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas were the most common locations. Cosby's Manhattan brownstone, the Playboy Mansion and the Las Vegas Hilton pop up frequently as the locales of the alleged incidents.
Las Vegas
12
New York
12
Los Angeles
17 alleged incidents
‘We had a late night meal and drinks in a dining room at the [Playboy] Mansion. Hugh Hefner came in and said hello, but he did not stay. Mr. Cosby was our host.’
Charlotte Fox. Read her statement
By age
Most of the accusers were much younger than Cosby (born in 1937), who was in his 40s and 50s when many of the alleged incidents took place.
‘Bill asked me at some point how old I was now and I proudly told him that “I am 17 now”.’
Sunni Welles. Read her statement
Younger
than 18
6
Ages 18 to 24
27
Ages 25 to 29
6
Older than 29
2
Exact age unknown
17
By year
The accusations stretch from 1965 — the year "I Spy" debuted and one year after Cosby married his wife, Camille — to 2008, when he was 71.
Alleged incident
Cosby’s personal life event
Jan. 25, 1964
1965
Bill Cosby, age 26,
marries Camille Hanks.
1977
Cosby, now 40, decides to
cut back on his “playboy
ways,” according to a
biographer.
1989
Bill Cosby, 52, publishes
“Love and Marriage.”
Jan. 16, 1997
The Cosbys’ 27-year-old
son Ennis is shot to
death. Bill Cosby is 59.
2008
By occupation
Many of the accusers were aspiring actresses and models who believed Cosby could help their careers.
‘Bill then yelled, “You're never going to make it in this business unless you sleep with me!”’
Lisa Christie. Read her statement
Aspiring actresses
10
Aspiring models
Aspiring singers
7
2
Other
39
‘Cosby won my trust as a 17-year-old aspiring actress in 1985, brainwashed me into viewing him as a father figure, and then assaulted me multiple times.’
Barbara Bowman, in
By use of drugs
About two-thirds of the allegations involve drugging and follow a similar pattern, with Cosby allegedly offering the women pills or drinks and the women saying they wake up naked in bed with Cosby after blacking out.
Accuse Cosby of drugging them
39
‘I took a sip and blacked out. When I awakened, I was naked in the bed beside him. I had no idea how my clothes came off or how and why I was in his bed.’
Linda Brown. Read her statement
Who have sued
Though many women have come forward and accused Cosby, not all of them have sued him. Most of the civil lawsuits filed against Cosby are for alleged defamation, although he has also been sued for sexual battery. Many of the women are barred from suing him or seeking criminal charges by statutes of limitation.
Sued Cosby
for defamation
11
Sued Cosby for
chilhood sexual abuse
1
Sued Cosby and Hugh Hefner
for sexual battery
1
Sued Cosby, but settled
the lawsuit
1
Drawings by Richard Johnson
H
e was an American icon — a barrier-breaking black artist, a voice of morality, whose lovable father-figure image was cemented by his most enduring character, Dr. Cliff Huxtable of “The Cosby Show.”
But the legacy of Bill Cosby has been reshaped by the accusations of at least 58 women who have said he raped or sexually harassed them between the mid-1960s and the late 2000s, including dozens who say he drugged them before the alleged assaults. The accusations span the continent: 19 cities, 11 states and one foreign country, Canada. Cosby is facing lawsuits on both coasts and a criminal prosecution.
Accusers
58
‘I don’t remember leaving the dinner show. When I came to, I was lying in Bill Cosby’s bed not my own room.’
Pamela Abeyta. Read her statement
By location
The alleged incidents occurred all over the United States, but Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas were the most common locations. Cosby's Manhattan brownstone, the Playboy Mansion and the Las Vegas Hilton pop up frequently as the locales of the alleged incidents.
‘We had a late night meal and drinks in a dining room at the [Playboy] Mansion. Hugh Hefner came in and said hello, but he did not stay. Mr. Cosby was our host.’
Charlotte Fox. Read her statement
NY
MI
Las Vegas
PA
CA
12
NV
IL
New York
CO
12
GA
Los Angeles
LA
17 alleged incidents
By age
Most of the accusers were much younger than Cosby (born in 1937), who was in his 40s and 50s when many of the alleged incidents took place.
‘Bill then yelled, “You’re never going to make it in this business unless you sleep with me!” ’
Lisa Christie. Read her statement
‘Bill asked me at some point how old I was now and I proudly told him that “I am 17 now”. ’
Sunni Welles. Read her statement
Younger than 18
Ages 18 to 24
Ages 25 to 29
6
27
6
Exact age unknown
Older than 29
2
17
By year
The accusations stretch from 1965 — the year "I Spy" debuted and one year after Cosby married his wife, Camille — to 2008, when he was 71.
Alleged incident
Cosby’s personal life event
1965
2008
Jan. 25, 1964
1977
1989
Jan. 16, 1997
Bill Cosby, age
26, marries
Camille Hanks.
Cosby, now 40,
decides to cut
back on his
“playboy ways,”
according to a
biographer.
Bill Cosby, 52,
publishes
“Love and
Marriage.”
The Cosbys’ 27-year-old
son Ennis is shot to
death. Bill Cosby is 59.
By occupation
Many of the accusers were aspiring actresses and models who believed Cosby could help their careers.
‘Cosby won my trust as a 17-year-old aspiring actress in 1985, brainwashed me into viewing him as a father figure, and then assaulted me multiple times.’
Barbara Bowman, in The Washington Post
‘He promised my parents he’d take care of me. The first time I met him, I had tears in my eyes.’
Jennifer Thompson in People magazine
Aspiring actresses
Aspiring singers
Aspiring models
10
2
7
Other
39
By use of drugs
About two-thirds of the allegations involve drugging and follow a similar pattern, with Cosby allegedly offering the women pills or drinks and the women saying they wake up naked in bed with Cosby after blacking out.
‘I took a sip and blacked out. When I awakened, I was naked in the bed beside him. I had no idea how my clothes came off or how and why I was in his bed.’
Linda Brown. Read her statement
‘Mr. Cosby greeted me and handed me a cappuccino, telling me that he had made me my favorite coffee. After I drank it, I felt dizzy and lost consciousness.’
Beth Ferrier. Read her statement
Accuse Cosby of drugging them
Do not mention being drugged
39
19
Who have sued
Though many women have come forward and accused Cosby, not all of them have sued him. Most of the civil lawsuits filed against Cosby are for alleged defamation, although he has also been sued for sexual battery. Many of the women are barred from suing him or seeking criminal charges by statutes of limitation.
Sued Cosby
for defamation
Sued Cosby and Hugh Hefner
for sexual battery
Sued Cosby for
chilhood sexual abuse
11
1
1
Sued Cosby, but settled
the lawsuit
1
Have not sued Cosby
44
Drawings by Richard Johnson
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