Bill Cobbs, Night at the Museum and The Bodyguard Actor, Dead at 90

Bill Cobbs, the longtime actor with memorable roles in films like Night at the Museum and The Bodyguard, has died. He was 90.

One of Cobbs' family members wrote on Facebook that the actor died "peacefully at his home in California" on Tuesday, June 25. TMZ was first to report on his death.

"A beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather and friend, Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by cherished loved ones," his family wrote in the message.

"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."

Susan Zachary, Cobb's longtime talent representative, said in a statement, "He was loyal and dear … an inspiring actor, director and human. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him."

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"Bill was a hugely talented actor and director. He loved his craft, other actors, his family and friends and was extremely generous with his time, energy and support of emerging talent," added Zachary. "He was a revered icon to many and deservedly so."

The actor, who worked eight years as an Air Force radar technician before his Hollywood fame, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. According to his IMDb biography, he moved to New York City in 1970 when he was 36 to pursue an acting career. His movie debut eventually came in 1974’s The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.

Cobbs is known for films like 1997's Air Bud, 1993's Demolition Man and 1991's The People Under the Stairs. He starred opposite Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in 1992's The Bodyguard, and he played Reginald in the Night at the Museum films alongside Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney, who died in 2014.

In 2020, Cobbs won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding limited performance in a daytime program for his turn as Mr. Hendrickson on the series Dino Dana.