Earle Hyman, best known to TV audiences for his role as Cliff Huxtable’s father Russell on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 91.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hyman died on Friday at the Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood, N.J. A cause of death has not been reported.
Hyman appeared in 40 episodes of The Cosby Show over the course of its nine-season run. In 1986, he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series for his work in the classic Season 2 episode “Happy Anniversary.”
In addition to his work on The Cosby Show, Hyman was the voice of Panthro on the 1980s cartoon Thundercats. Additional TV credits included All My Children and The Defenders.
Hyman was also known for his stage work. In 1980, he won the Tony award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for the role of Oscar in Edward Albee’s The Lady From Dubuque.