Tributes flood in for Hollywood legend Bill Cobbs who has died aged 90

The actor was famous across the globe for playing hard-hitting roles but also won a Daytime Emmy Award for his work on the kids show "Dino Dana."

He was loved by fans for a huge variety of movies including New Jack City, The Bodyguard, The Sopranos and Night At The Museum. His impressive career covered more than 200 television shows and movies since he first started acting in the 1970s, The actor’s brother Thomas posted the news on Facebook: “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 perhaps best known for playing Whitney Houston’s manager Bill Devaney in 1992 hit The Bodyguard starring Kevin Costner, and security guard Reggie in 2006 comedy Night At The Museum opposite Ben Stiller, Robin Williams and Owen Wilson.

Other fan-favourite roles include playing coach Arthur Chaney in Air Bud, Moses the Clock Man in The Hudsucker Proxy from the Coen brothers and Dr Elton Lloyd in John Sayles’ Sunshine State.

Among those paying tribute was US actor Wendell Pierce, who remembered his I’ll Fly Away and The Gregory Hines Show co-star as a “father figure, a griot, an iconic artist”.

“Bill Cobbs was born and raised in Cleveland,” he said in a statement on X. “He shared so many stories about the city he loved. It’s serendipity that I’m here in Cleveland as I learn of his passing. He comes from a great legacy of the Black Theatre.

“…To honour Bill and his memory, I will dedicate myself to creating work he would be proud of.”

Writing on X, Penny Jerald said: “What a guy! What a soul! What a talent! What a thespian What a legend! So many beautiful, laugh out loud moments with the great Bill Cobbs.” Gerald Webb said: “So sad to hear that my mentor, my friend and a great man passed away yesterday morning. Rest In Power.”

As well as dozens of smash hit films, he made a name for himself on the small screen including roles in the Marvel series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D in 2020, NYPD Blue, ER and The Practice.