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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Celebrity Family

Ennis Cosby

Ennis Cosby was an American educator and the only son of entertainer Bill Cosby and Camille Cosby.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Ennis Cosby was an American educator and the only son of entertainer Bill Cosby. He was a doctoral student in special education at Columbia University before his death in Los Angeles.

Who was Ennis Cosby?

Ennis William Cosby (April 15, 1969 – January 16, 1997) was the only son of Bill and Camille Cosby. He earned a master’s degree in special education from Columbia University’s Teachers College in 1995 and was pursuing a doctorate with a focus on reading disabilities.

What did he study and aspire to?

Cosby studied special education with an emphasis on learning and reading disabilities. He was described as devoted to helping students with learning challenges and had plans to open a school for children with disabilities.

How did he die?

On January 16, 1997, Cosby was shot and killed in Los Angeles while changing a flat tire. Authorities determined the killing occurred during a robbery attempt. He was 27 years old.

In short

  • Only son of Bill and Camille Cosby
  • Doctoral student in special education at Columbia University
  • Killed in Los Angeles during a robbery attempt in 1997
  • Remembered for his dedication to teaching students with learning disabilities

Quick questions

Who was Ennis Cosby?
Ennis Cosby was an American educator and the only son of Bill Cosby and Camille Cosby. He studied special education at Columbia University and was known for his interest in helping children with learning disabilities.
How did Ennis Cosby die?
He was shot to death in Los Angeles on January 16, 1997, while changing a flat tire. Reports described the killing as an attempted robbery.
What was Ennis Cosby studying?
He was studying for a doctorate in special education at Teachers College, Columbia University, with an emphasis in reading disabilities.

Sources

  1. Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-17-mn-19457-story.html
    Supports: Doctoral study in special education with emphasis in reading disabilities; circumstances around his death.
  2. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/17/us/ennis-cosby-is-recalled-as-devoted-to-teaching.html
    Supports: His role as a Columbia doctoral candidate and his interest in helping children with learning challenges.
  3. Teachers College, Columbia University — https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/1997/january/ennis-cosby-doctoral-student-remembered/
    Supports: Age at death; graduate study in special education; remembrance by professors.
  4. Time — https://time.com/archive/6730296/he-was-my-hero/
    Supports: Birth date; age; death during a roadside tire change; robbery motive.