Bill Cosby will be honored with the Marian Anderson Award tonight in Philadelphia. Named in honor of the famed opera singer, the award is given to an entertainer who uses his or her position to help society.
Why do you think you were chosen for the award?
The seriousness of the role of Alexander Scott [in “I Spy”]. To take on this role, representing and being the only African-American on TV in a television drama and to be the second banana, to go around the world in this series for three years to set a precedent to the writers and the producers — but not a demand because I didn’t have to because they understood what I wanted, and they agreed.
What led you to raise your profile beyond a comedian?
It isn’t where have you been, cause I’ve always been there. If people look back at interviews in “Ebony,” if they look at what Mrs. Cosby and I have done toward donating in education; [the Rev.] Jesse Jackson could speak out if he wanted to, to say where Bill Cosby was in Operation Bread Basket and the Rainbow Coalition and his decision to run for president. Mrs. Cosby and I have been there, period, but it’s just not something that media has decided to [cover].
Why don’t more celebrities do this?
The question is not a comfortable one for me. I don’t know what they do. If you call so-and-so’s manager, you may find that said basketball player has a camp for kids … Said actress may write a check for upkeep of schools and recreation centers. Everybody doesn’t necessarily have publicity going out there.
