Life is no longer what it once was for Bill Cosby, but he's still finding his reasons to smile. While his reputation hasn't much improved, Cosby takes comfort in knowing that his "unjust conviction" was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court last year, officially tossing his prison sentence and turning the Ghost Dad star into a free man. His publicist, Andrew V. Wyatt, shared a new image of Cosby to commemorate the anniversary of that day and released a statement from the comedian.
"Many along with the media will ask why are you speaking now. Hope and inspiration comes to my mind when I think of those men that will never be left behind nor forgotten by me. Many of them called me their HERO but they really became my HERO,” said Cosby, who "has an ED.D. in Education and worked for decades to promote and support education and humanity on all levels," per Wyatt.
Cosby's wife, Camille Cosby, also took part in an interview with Good Morning America to speak about the situation. She has stood by her husband throughout the allegations, prison time, and subsequent release. Camille says that she believes racism played a major role in Bill's incarceration and argues that the women who testified against him presented no proof that he'd done what he had been accused of.
"We communicate every single day," Camille said. "My husband is doing very well. He is exercising, he is eating properly. I am happy about that."
Wyatt posted the interview, which also featured comments from Cosby, on his Instagram account. The video also includes footage of Cosby being driven home right after getting released from prison and he details what the experience was like.
"I was in the bed, in the cot, and they opened the door because it's one o'clock, and about four or five guys yelling, 'Bill, get up! You're going home!' And they put the shoes, my shower shoes on the wrong foot, and I said wait, and they said, 'No, you don't understand, you're free!' And I said, 'What is this, Juneteenth?' But man, when I left, murderers, rapists, bank robbers, wife beaters, all clapping."
Bill Cosby Lost a Civil Trial But Celebrated Anyway
This news comes shortly after a verdict was reached in a civil trial for Cosby. The Fat Albert creator was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at the Playboy Mansion in 1975, one of many allegations that have been leveled against Cosby dating back decades. A jury sided with the plaintiff and found Cosby liable for the assault, and he was ordered to pay $500,000 to his accuser. According to Wyatt, Cosby reacted as if this was good news when told about the judgment as $500,000 is affordable for the wealthy celebrity.
"That's all? Booyah!" Cosby reportedly stated.