Nationwide — Earle Hyman, the veteran stage, television and film actor best known for playing Bill Cosby’s father, Russell Huxtable on The Cosby Show has passed away. He was 91, and died in his home in Englewood, New Jersey.From 1984-1992, Hyman appeared in more than 40 episodes of the hit sitcom, The Cosby Show. But there is so much more to tell about his acting career.
Born in 1926 in Rocky Mount, NC and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Hyman made his Broadway debut in 1944 in Anna Lucasta. He also appeared in other hit productions including The Merchant of Venice, No Time for Sergeants, Mister Johnson, Waiting for Godot (in an acclaimed all-black production in 1957), and in Henrik Ibsen’s The Master Builder, opposite Lynn Redgrave.
Hyman also guest-starred on many TV shows throughout the 1950’s and ’60s.
Little known facts:
* In the 1980’s, Hyman was the baritone voice behind Panthro for more than 125 episodes of the cartoon series ThunderCats.
* Hyman took a vacation to Norway in 1957 and loved the country so much that he bought property there, became fluent in the language, and even performed on stage – starring in Norwegian productions.
* Although he played Bill Cosby’s father in the Cosby Show, there was only a 14-year age difference between the two.
Watch one of his last interviews below: