Bill Cobbs, The Bodyguard and Air Bud Star, Dead at 90

Photo: Leon Bennett/WireImage

Bill Cobbs — who 90’s cinephiles may recognize from films like The Bodyguard, Air Bud, and That Thing You Do!— has died. He was 90. News of his passing was shared by his  brother, Thomas G. Cobbs, on Facebook. “We are saddened to share the passing of Bill Cobbs,” he wrote. “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. 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.”

Cobbs was born in 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio. He got his start in theater in Ohio, and went on to work with the Negro Ensemble Company in New York. His first film acting gig was on The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. Cobbs is in many of the most crowd-pleasing movies of the 90’s. He played Whitney Houston’s manager in The Body Guard, Grandpa Booker in The People Under the Stairs, and Air Bud’s coach in Air Bud. Cobbs played one of the villainous guards in Night at the Museum. On television, he had roles on projects as diverse as Rugrats, The West Wing, The Sopranos, and Star Trek: Enterprise.

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