Joseph C. Phillips, ‘The Cosby Show’ Co-Star: “Of Course Bill Cosby Is Guilty!”

by Olivia Truffaut-WongJuly 15, 2015, 7:10 pmNews, News Feed >

Joseph C. Phillips, a star of The Cosby Show, believes Bill Cosby is guilty, posting blog post titled “Of Course Bill Cosby Is Guilty!”

Joseph C. Phillips, Cosby Show Co-Star, Believes Cosby’s Guilty

Cosby’s one-time co-star, Phillips, made frequent appearances on The Cosby Show from 1985-1991 playing Cosby’s son-in-law, Lt. Martin Kendall. And, while many of Cosby’s old co-workers continue to defend Cosby even after it was revealed that he admitted in court that he bought drugs for the purpose of giving them to women to have sex, Phillips has declared his belief that Cosby is guilty of being a serial rapist.

In his essay, published on his official website, the actor wrote about his experience with Cosby on set, noting that the comedian was known to be a philanderer. Phillips claimed that Cosby being a cheater “was a ‘fact’ that, like, the air, seemed to just be.”

Phillips admitted that, as a young man, he believed that most of the pretty, young women who would come to the studio – an event some on set allegedly called “the parade” – were throwing themselves at Cosby, and was careful to note that he doesn’t fault Cosby for his dalliances with consenting adults. “[His] infidelity to his marriage vows would not have surprised me. I don’t say that as any comment on Bill’s character. I say it only because I think it would be extremely difficult for any rich, powerful man to say, ‘No’ every single time a woman threw herself at him,” Phillips wrote.

Phillips wrote that, while he was skeptical of the women accusing Cosby, he was also convinced that not all of them could be lying. In fact, Phillips recounted that a recent encounter with an old friend who revealed herself to have been one of Cosby’s victims made him realize that Cosby was likely guilty.

“As the accusations began to increase, I became increasingly disturbed. I was fairly certain that some of the women were lying through their teeth, but certainly not all of them. Discovering that the man you idolize may be a serial rapist is a bit traumatic. I don’t imagine it is anything near to the trauma of the alleged victims. Nethertheless, I found it unsettling,” Phillips wrote in his blog post.

After hearing about his friend’s experience with Cosby, Phillps wrote that he was heartbroken. “I felt for my friend, for the violation of her trust, loyalty and body. I was angry with Bill. He had money, fame and power; he was a walking aphrodisiac! Why? I was also angry at myself for falling for the okey-doke, of putting Bill on a pedestal,” Phillips continued.

Phillips added that, like The Cosby Show’s Phylicia Rashad, who fervently defended Cosby in January after the first wave of women came forward to publicly accuse Cosby of rape, he still recognizes Cosby’s legacy as a pioneer for African Americans in entertainment:

“The good Bill has done over the years is real and enduring. I am not prepared to simply dismiss his brilliance, his wisdom, or his legacy. You see, all of that is a part of who I am as a man – as a Black man. I am not going to toss all of that away, at least not yet.”

Phillips ended his thoughtful essay with some advice for Cosby, writing, “Bill, you have a family who loves you, a wife who is devoted to you; you have more money than you can spend. Please, go live a quiet country life. Allow those of us who truly love you to preserve just a bit of our enchantment.”

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.