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Bill Combs, prolific veteran film and television actor, dies Wesley Snipes and others who pay tribute.
On Wednesday (June 26), famed actor Bill Combs died at his home in Inland Empire, California. He was 90 years old. His death was announced in a Facebook post by his brother Thomas G. Cobbs. “It is with sadness that we share the passing of Bill Combs,” he wrote. “Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by loved ones. As a family we are comforted to know that Bill has found peace and eternal rest with his Heavenly Father. We ask for your prayers and encouragement during this time.” It was confirmed by Cobbs publicist Chuck I. Jones, who said: “Bill was an amazing person in addition to being a spectacular actor. He was very kind, helpful and considerate of others.”
Bill Cobbs appeared in more than 200 films and television shows after starting out as a distinguished theater actor working with the African American Performing Arts Center and the Karamu House Theater in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio before moving to New York and starring with the Negro Ensemble Company in 1970s. A small role in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three in 1974 he began his career on the screen, with his most prominent roles being the manager for Whitney Houston's character The Bodyguardexcept for Officer Zachary Lamb in the Sylvester Stallion-fronted Demolition man as well as other memorable roles in New Jack City and Night at the Museum. Cobbs' television appearances ran the gamut of the medium, including Good moments, Sesame Street, ERand NYPD Blue including.
“I love what I do, I really enjoy it,” she said in one interview in 2012. “It's exciting to have a project and work on it and see it come to fruition, so I can find joy in doing it so much.” Tributes to Cobbs poured in online after news of his death from other actors. Wesley Snipes, who worked with Cobbs on New Jack City, honored him in a post on X, ex-Twitter following the news, sharing the iconic scene where Cobbs' character shoots Nino Brown after his trial. “Rest in Power, King,” Snipes wrote, adding a crown and praying hands emoji.
