Stars Pay Respects at Funeral for Cosby Show Actress Clarice Taylor

Actress who played Bill Cosby's mother Anna Huxtable is laid to rest in a celeb-packed service in New York City

By Marianne Garvey Jun 08, 2011 3:00 PMTags
Clarice Taylor, Bill Cosby, Cosby ShowNBC

Bill Cosby's television mother has been laid to rest.

The funeral for Clarice Taylor, best known for her role as Dr. Cliff Huxtable's mom Anna Huxtable on The Cosby Show, was held Tuesday night in Harlem.

Many celeb mourners turned out to pay respects to the star, who died at her New Jersey home on May 30 from heart failure.

Taylor's actress pal Ruby Dee and dancer George Faison were among those who attended the funeral, which was held at Canaan Baptist Church.

There was also a viewing for the public yesterday, followed by a private viewing for Taylor's family.

Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy and a senior pastor at the church officiated at the service celebrating Taylor's life.

The 93-year-old actress died in her Englewood home while surrounded by her family, said her spokeswoman Terrie Williams.

Taylor's acting career spanned five decades, and in 1986 she received an Emmy nomination for her role as the Cosby show's lovable grandma. She also appeared on Sesame Street, on Broadway in The Wiz and in the Clint Eastwood movie Play Misty for Me.

Cosby had told E! News that Taylor was pretty cool for her age.

"Clarice was a hip mother, fearless," Cosby said. "She drove her Corvette all over Brooklyn and Harlem.  Danica Patrick had nothing on her."

Rest in peace, Clarice.