Bill Cosby was once a towering figure in American pop culture, best known for playing Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show (1984–1992)—a role that earned him the nickname “America’s Dad.” His clean-cut, fatherly image made him a household name for decades.
That public image began to unravel in 2014, when multiple women came forward with sexual assault allegations. Cosby was eventually sentenced to three to ten years in prison, though the conviction was later overturned.
Outside the spotlight, Cosby has been married to television producer Camille Cosby since the 1960s, and together they have had five children, two of whom have passed away.
Despite personal losses and years of legal battles, the veteran comedian is reportedly still in stable health. However, questions about his eyesight and overall condition have followed him in recent years.
Here’s a look at Bill Cosby’s health today and any known illnesses.
What Happened to Bill Cosby? His Health Update
As of now, Cosby is reportedly in good health. He turned 88 on July 12, and a source close to the comedian told the New York Post at the time of his birthday that “he’s overall healthy.”
The insider added that while Cosby faces the usual effects of aging, including “some heart issues,” there’s nothing serious currently impacting his condition.
Back in 2019, while serving time in prison, Cosby underwent two “life-sustaining” surgeries to clear blockages in both his left and right carotid arteries. High blood pressure was also a major concern during that time.
But his longtime wife, Camille Cosby, plays a major role in keeping his health stable. According to sources, she does her best to reduce his stress, one way being to avoid watching the news entirely, since it reportedly causes his blood pressure to rise.
“She shields him away,” the source told RadarOnline in 2024, referring to the legal battles and outside noise that still surround him.
What Eye Condition Does Cosby Have? Is He Completely Blind?
A multiple Grammy-winning entertainer has been battling a serious eye condition for years. He reportedly suffers from keratoconus, a degenerative disease that causes the cornea—the clear, dome-shaped surface of the eye—to thin and bulge outward in a cone-like shape.
In addition to that, he also has severe glaucoma in both eyes and is already blind in his right eye.
News of his vision loss became public in 2016 when his attorneys revealed that he was legally blind.
A year later, during an interview with the National Newspaper Publishers Association, Cosby confirmed he had completely lost his sight. He recalled waking up one morning in 2015 and telling his wife Camille, “I can’t see.” Doctors confirmed the damage was irreversible.
The condition was even referenced in court filings in November 2016. His legal team stated, “Without his eyesight, Mr. Cosby cannot even determine whether he has ever even seen some of his accusers, let alone develop defenses and gather exculpatory evidence.”
Does He Have Dementia?
There have been ongoing rumors about Cosby’s mental decline, particularly during his time behind bars.
In 2019, FOX Sports Radio claimed he was struggling with dementia and showing signs of fading memory.
The outlet reported that the emotional toll of imprisonment following his conviction for drugging and assaulting Andrea Constand may have affected both his mental and physical state.
“Bill will call [his wife] Camille from the prison phone and ask how Ensa is doing,” the insider told the network, referring to their daughter who had already passed away. “It leads to an awkward silence, then his memory clears—and he reels over her death all over again.”
While Cosby hasn’t publicly addressed the dementia rumors, moments like these have kept the speculation alive.
Bill Cosby Nowadays
Cosby, 88, currently lives in Los Angeles with his family and also splits his time between New York and Philadelphia.
According to sources, he remains in good spirits and hasn’t lost his sense of humor. “He’s still cracking jokes,” an insider told the New York Post. “He’s not doing comedy on the stage, but he’s doing comedy from the living room.”
His last public appearance came in June 2022, when he performed a comedy show in Philadelphia—his first since being released from prison.
In July 2025, Cosby also spoke to ABC News following the death of his former Cosby Show co-star, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who drowned in Costa Rica at age 54. He shared heartfelt memories of the actor who had played his on-screen son.
“He was always a great studier, and I enjoyed working with him very much,” Cosby said. “He was very professional. He always knew his part… He always knew his lines, and he always knew where to go.”
