Oscar nominee Terrence Howard claims that Bill Cosby once blacklisted him. As a brash 19-year-old, Howard had a confrontation with the legendary Cosby, and says he didn’t work for four years after that. Terrence went on to star in Hustle & Flow, for which he was nominated for an Oscar.
Oscar-nominee Terrence Howard almost destroyed his promising acting career when he was axed from The Cosby Show. The Crash star landed his first acting part in the legendary comedy show in 1988 – but he was sacked before any of his scenes were aired.
He explains, “I was 19 and had just moved to New York from Cleveland, I got on The Cosby Show on my second audition ever.” Howard was so angry that his scenes were cut, he confronted the show’s star and producer Bill Cosby – who he claims subsequently blacklisted him in the entertainment business.
He explains, “I told him, ‘I’m a man just like you.’ He didn’t like it, and the casting agent never took my calls again.” Howard didn’t work for four years, but recovered to forge a successful acting career – landing an Academy Award in 2006 for his role in Hustle + Flow.
[From Contact Music]
Obviously it didn’t hurt Howard in the long run, since his film career is doing pretty well these days. The story doesn’t seem that surprising or outlandish to me. After Lisa Bonet – who played one of Cosby’s children on The Cosby Show – filmed a movie that almost got an X rating and then did a nude photo shoot for Rolling Stone, Cosby had her fired because he disapproved. She was given a spinoff show after she threatened legal action. But Cosby has long felt it okay to dictate right and wrong, especially to young people.
Cosby seems to take his role of the moral authority pretty seriously, so Howard’s claims sound legit. It’s pretty damn ironic, considering the claims against Cosby.
Here’s Terrence Howard at the BET Awards on June 24th. Header Los Angeles, California – 24.06.08. Header image of Bill Cosby outside the ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ in New York on January 28th. Images thanks to WENN.
LOL, does anyone else watch 30 Rock? On it, Tracy Morgan is singled out by the “black avengers,” which is comprised of moral authorities like Cosby and Oprah.
I watch 30 Rock, but I must have missed that one, Amy.
What’s sad is that I used to love The Cosby Show when I was a kid, and I grew up watching Oprah with my mom. But at this point, the two of them are like the Icons of Sanctimony. 🙁
OMG Amy, I just watched that episode this morning! I wish I’d thought to add that in there.
Terrence, you’re a whiney bitch. You didn’t have the clout to confront a producer about anything, and you still don’t. Live and learn, idiot. But 30 Rock and Tina Fey, that’s the stuff!!
Didn’t know about those claims against Cosby…? Bit dubious. Went off him a long while ago anyway.
Bill Cosby has it right. I agree with ri23 comment.
Love Tina Fey, talented actress and writer.
A brand new actor confronting the star and producer, angry that his scenes were cut, probably does deserve to get fired. He hadn’t earned that right yet. Blacklisting seems a little bit extreme, but I can see it happening.
bill cosby in an asshole. he went to my high school (but got expelled) and my college (but didn’t graduate) and i have had the displeasure of having to sit through his pompous speeches when they gave him hononary degrees from both schools, you know for just being him. this does not surprise me AT ALL.
Nikki, try this link http://www.nndb.com/people/674/000022608/
It says that he did return to college and earned 3 degrees. 🙂
We’re talking about Bill Cosby here… in the 80’s. The man was practically a deity as far as TV execs were concerned – and here you’ve got some kid fresh off his second audition bitching him out?
Sorry, but that’s just being stupid.
Ladies and gentlemen: House of Cosbys. It was taken offline by Cosby’s lawyers, apparently because he doesn’t know what satire is. But they couldn’t stop the nerds.
Bill Cosby doesn’t say anything that isn’t true. I cannot fault a man for speaking the truth, no matter what his personal character may be.
As for Terrence Howard, isn’t he the douche that said he won’t date anyone who doesn’t wipe her netherregions with baby wipes? I’d blacklist him from all womanhood just for that.
I love the coz. I have had exes my whole life tell me my whole life what i wanted to hear. Look where that got me. The best friends i ever had told me what i needed to hear. That is why i respect cosby. I try to aspire. Btw, i think it is cosby did that gave terrence the fortitude to be where he is. Tough love. Scott f. Are you g.o.p.?
So, this pompous little fool thinks that Cosby wasted the time and energy blacklisting him for being mouthy? I seriously doubt it.
It’s more likely that, as a complete unknown, he just was unlucky and didn’t get any parts for 4 years…maybe because of his attitude.
Seriously, he needs to stop assuming that he is so popular and wonderful that people feel the need to “get” him, and maybe take a peek in the mirror to see the one who is responsible for his successes AND failures.
What an overblown ego.
the BOTH of them can go to hell IMO! they both make me sick
To this day i cannot understand why the cosby show was popular, let alone so popular.
I have only sat through a few partial episodes, so am not well versed in the material.
Maybe someone could explain it.
nikki is right
I can believe it. Bill Cosby may be a legend, but around the studios he has a rep as being a total a-hole, especially to young people.
He expects young people to look up to him and idolize him. And when someone who is younger than him stands up to him, there will be hell to pay.
The guy is waaay past his prime.