Bill Cosby’s friends are opening up about his health as he approaches his 88th birthday.
One insider close to the comic exclusively told The Post that while Cosby is “still completely blind, he’s overall healthy.”
Bill Cosby and Malcolm-Jamal Warner starred in “The Cosby Show” from 1984 to 1992. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection
“He has normal elderly issues,” the source shared, admitting “The Cosby Show” alum has experienced “some heart issues” in the past.
“He seems to be very healthy,” they said, noting Cosby’s history of blockage in his carotid arteries. In 2019, his publicist, Andrew Wyatt, said Cosby underwent two “life-sustaining” surgeries to clear the blockage while serving his 10-year prison sentence for the 2004 drugging and sexual assault of Andrea Constand.
Cosby’s conviction was overturned in June 2021, and he was freed from prison hours later after serving two and a half years behind bars.
The Post is told the former stand-up relies on his wife, Camille Cosby, 81, to take care of him these days.
“He leans on her,” the source said, noting that most of his friends, like Sidney Poitier and Quincy Jones, are dead.
Sources tell The Post that Cosby is “very healthy” as he prepares to turn 88. Michael Buckner
Cosby making his late pal Sidney Poitier laugh in 1977. Getty Images
An insider shared that Cosby’s birthday won’t be a lavish affair, noting most of his friends are dead. Getty Images
Poitier, the first black Best Actor Oscar winner, died in January 2022 at 94. Jones, a titan in the music industry, passed away in November 2024 at 91.
“All of his friends that he would call and check on at least once a month or sometimes twice a month are gone,” the insider shared.
The comedian still finds humor in his day-to-day, sources told The Post. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection
“He leans on her,” the source said about Cosby’s wife, Camille. WireImage
“He’s the last iconic figure left and still standing,” one insider noted. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection
When it comes to his birthday celebrations, it will likely be a small affair.
While Cosby and his wife of 61 years used to host “extravagant” parties, sources tell The Post that their age, plus their financial situation from fighting his legal battles, make it difficult to go all out.
Cosby’s good friend Quincy Jones died in 2024 at 91. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Camille stood by her husband of 61 years during his legal battles. AP
Cosby’s “still cracking jokes,” a source shared. “He’s not doing comedy on the stage, but he’s doing comedy from the living room.”
The Post reached out to his rep for comment.
It’s been four years since he was released from SCI-Phoenix.
In 2018, the comedian was found guilty of drugging and molesting Andrea Constand. Getty Images
In June 2021, the conviction was overturned and he was freed from prison.
Stephen Yang
The former TV icon commented on his conviction the same day Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned the ruling.
“I have never changed my stance nor my story,” Cosby wrote in a since-deleted tweet, which included a photo of him with his fist in the air. “I have always maintained my innocence.”
“Thank you to all my fans, supporters and friends who stood by me through this ordeal,” he continued. “Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law. #BillCosby.”
Cosby served two and a half years of his 10-year prison sentence. Stephen Yang
The sitcom star always maintained his innocence. Andrew Wyatt / Pop Nation / TMX
Constand said she had zero regrets about stepping forward with the allegations. Stephen Yang
His accuser did not have the same reaction, stating she felt “disgusting” watching him walk free and celebrate the victory.
“Didn’t surprise me given the level of the arrogance and having no remorse. During the time he was incarcerated, absolutely zero remorse for what he did to me,” Constand told NBC News in September 2021. “He’s a sexually violent predator, who basically was let out of jail.”
Despite the outcome, Constand said she had no regrets about coming forward with her allegations.
“I have come way too far to go back to that place to wonder whether it’s all worth it or to have regrets. It was worth it,” she stated in 2021.
“It was worth it because I didn’t feel alone. I had a whole community, a whole army of women and other survivors, strangers, family, friends, who were right there with me.”