Erika Cosby-The Untold Facts About Bill Cosby’s Daughter

Erika Cosby (aka Erika Ranee Cosby) is an accomplished painter. But, Cosby first rose to stardom as the eldest daughter of the American stand-up comedian Bill Cosby who won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album consecutively from 1965-70.

In addition to his refulgent comedy career, her father Cosby has also been a part of several controversies over the past several decades. He was alleged of drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual misconduct, and many other misdemeanors. So, even after being a part of several infamous accusations, how Erika has maintained her relationship with her father? Is the star kid in touch with her dad?

In the meantime, people are also curious to know about her love life. So, let’s find out who is Erika Cosby’s husband. Take a closer look at the complete bio of Bill Cosby’s daughter Erika.

Erika Was Born To Afro-American Parents: Her Childhood

Erika Cosby was born on April 8, 1965, in Los Angeles, California. She was the first daughter of stand-up comedian Bill Cosby (father) and American TV producer Camille Cosby (mother). Talking about her nationality, the star kid holds American citizenship and has an Afro-American ethnical background.

Moreover, the then-star kid also has four other siblings named Evin, Erinn Chalene, Ensa, and Ennis Cosby. But, sadly her two siblings have already passed away.

Reason Behind Her Two Sibling Untimely Demise

On January 16, 1997, her brother Ennis Cosby was killed during an attempted robbery at the age of 27. In fact, Erika’s brother was shot by Mikhail Markhasev, when Ennis was stopped by Skirball Center Drive to get repair his Mercedes Benz’s tire. At the time, her brother was heading to Interstate 405, a highway in California.

Furthermore, Ennis’ then-girlfriend Stephanie Crane said in her statement that She was right behind him, helping him to light the area. She further said that a man suddenly appeared at her car’s window, saying ‘Open the door or I’ll harm you.’ 

Soon after hearing the voice of the strange man, Crane ran away from there. And nearly after Carne fled 15m away, she heard the sound of a gunshot. When she returned to the same place, her boyfriend Ennis was lying down with blood around him. On Jan 19, 1997, Ennis was interred in Shelburne, Massachusetts. And his funeral took place at their family estate.

Similarly, in 2018, the Cosby family faced another family disaster when Ensa passed away on 23 February of the year. She was 44 years old at the time of her demise. Ensa who died of renal disease buried at the Cosby estate in Massachusetts (aka Ennis’ Garden).

Erika’s Dad Bill’s Sexual Allegations

Bill is one of the renowned figures in the comedy world. But, the one-time veteran stand-up comedian is also equally in the media for his sexual allegations. Multiple Grammy-award-winning Bill’s legal trouble began to circulate in the media in the mid-1960s.

Although Bill was publicly accused by 60 women of sexual harassment over the past several years, the comedian barely admitted the allegations, proving himself innocent several times.

But, from the 60 allegations, only seven women could legally fight a case against him in court. One of them was Judith Huth who filed a lawsuit against him in 2014. As per court documents, Huth was sexually assaulted by him while in Playboy Mansion back in 1975. At the time, Huth was reportedly 16-year-old and underaged.

Although Cosby admitted the incident with her, The Bill Cosby Show star denied that Judith was underage at the time. Whatever the case may be, the court later ruled the comedian was fully aware of Huth’s adolescence.

During the re-trial in 2018, Bill was sentenced to 10 years in prison for three counts of aggravated indecent assault. Despite his decade-long imprisonment, Cosby got out of prison in 2021 after his conviction was overturned by Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court on a technicality.

And few hours after his release, Bill tweeted,

 “I have never changed my stance nor my story. I have always maintained my innocence”

In the tweet, Cosby also said he was grateful to his supporters for reaching out to him while was inside the bars.

As previously said, only a few victims got justice including Judith’s case. Unfortunately, several other women’s cases never could make it out.

Erika’s Sister Defended Their Dad Bill During His Controversial Days

While the father of five was facing multiple lawsuits and sexual charges, Erika’s sisters Erinn and Ensa stayed beside their father. They even said he wasn’t guilty at all. In an interview with NYC radio talk show The Breakfast Club, Erinn told,

“Over the last few years, my family has been forced to sit by. And watch as our father has been attacked in the media. And it has been difficult to remain silent to protect our loved ones from scorn as gossip fueled in the news as big entertainment. But what you hear in the media is a far cry from who our father is.”

On the other hand, Ensa also stated,

“The accusations against my father have been one-sided from the beginning. When he tried to defend himself, he was sued in civil court. I’ve seen the accusations become more horrific and extreme with time. I’ve witnessed my father’s reputation and legendary works be dismissed without any proof.”

Apparently, Erika never addressed anything about her father.

Cosby Holds A Master Degree: Her Academic Achievements

Erika went to Wesleyan University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987. Two years after her graduation, she got her second degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Moreover, she went to the University of California, Berkeley, and in 1991, she earned a master’s certificate in Fines Arts. Following that, she also registered her name for a nine-week summer residency course at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.

Professional Career: Erika Cosby Is a Passionate Abstract Artist

Erika Cosby is the owner of an art studio in Southern Brooklyn, who mainly focuses on abstract arts. Since beginning her career in the world of art, her works have been exhibited in The New York Times, Artforum, and San Fransisco Chronicle.

Likewise, her Abstract pieces are displayed in Klaus von Nichtsaggend Gallery, Geoffrey Young Gallery in Great Barrington, Freight+Volume, and MA.

Not only that but the passionate artist has also featured her masterpieces in Storefront Ten Eyck, TSA Gallery, The Last Brucennial, FiveMyles, The Parlour Bushwick, and Bronx Museum.

In addition, Cosby is also a staunch supporter and benefactress of the summer institute for A Long Walk Home. It provides awareness programs for sexual violence.

Furthermore, Erika joined a job at the Abrons Arts Center as an AIRspace resident in 2009 and worked for the organization for a year until 10. Not only that, the is a former recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Painting.

Net Worth: Erika Cosby Makes Good Earnings From Her Artwork

Erika Cosby has a total net income of around $3 million as of 2022. She mainly makes money from her painting works.

Her every art piece has been listed in a tidy sum. One of her pieces titled Wild Heart (2021) is now on sale for $7,500. Similarly, we can see the list of every sold and unsold abstract art of Erika’s on Artsy.net.

Moreover, Cosby has worked with a number of well-known artists including Marilyn Minter, and Jayson Musson.

Is Erika Married To a Husband?

The painter Erika hasn’t disclosed anything about her marriage or any kind of love relationship the artist has been in. Apparently, many people mistook her for actress Erika Alexander who is a married woman. But, to be more clear Erika has neither married nor had a kid to date.