He was an American icon — a barrier-breaking black artist, a voice of morality, whose lovable father-figure image was cemented by his most enduring character, Dr. Cliff Huxtable of “The Cosby Show.”

Accusers

58

But the legacy of Bill Cosby has been reshaped by the accusations of at least 58 women who have said he raped or sexually harassed them between the mid-1960s and the late 2000s, including dozens who say he drugged them before the alleged assaults. The accusations span the continent: 19 cities, 11 states and one foreign country, Canada. Cosby is facing lawsuits on both coasts and a criminal prosecution.

‘I don’t remember leaving the dinner show. When I came to, I was lying in Bill Cosby’s bed not my own room.’

Pamela Abeyta. Read her statement

By location

The alleged incidents occurred all over the United States, but Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas were the most common locations. Cosby's Manhattan brownstone, the Playboy Mansion and the Las Vegas Hilton pop up frequently as the locales of the alleged incidents.

Las Vegas

12

New York

12

Los Angeles

17 alleged incidents

‘We had a late night meal and drinks in a dining room at the [Playboy] Mansion. Hugh Hefner came in and said hello, but he did not stay. Mr. Cosby was our host.’

Charlotte Fox. Read her statement

By age

Most of the accusers were much younger than Cosby (born in 1937), who was in his 40s and 50s when many of the alleged incidents took place.

‘Bill asked me at some point how old I was now and I proudly told him that “I am 17 now”.’

Sunni Welles. Read her statement

Younger than 18

6

Ages 18 to 24

27

Ages 25 to 29

6

Older than 29

2

Exact age unknown

17

By year

The accusations stretch from 1965 — the year "I Spy" debuted and one year after Cosby married his wife, Camille — to 2008, when he was 71.

Alleged incident

Cosby’s personal life event

Jan. 25, 1964

1965

Bill Cosby, age 26, marries Camille Hanks.

1977

Cosby, now 40, decides to cut back on his “playboy ways,” according to a biographer.

1989

Bill Cosby, 52, publishes “Love and Marriage.”

Jan. 16, 1997

The Cosbys’ 27-year-old son Ennis is shot to death. Bill Cosby is 59.

2008

By occupation

Many of the accusers were aspiring actresses and models who believed Cosby could help their careers.

‘Bill then yelled, “You're never going to make it in this business unless you sleep with me!”’

Lisa Christie. Read her statement

Aspiring actresses

10

Aspiring models

Aspiring singers

7

2

Other

39

‘Cosby won my trust as a 17-year-old aspiring actress in 1985, brainwashed me into viewing him as a father figure, and then assaulted me multiple times.’

Barbara Bowman, in The Washington Post

By use of drugs

About two-thirds of the allegations involve drugging and follow a similar pattern, with Cosby allegedly offering the women pills or drinks and the women saying they wake up naked in bed with Cosby after blacking out.

Accuse Cosby of drugging them

39

‘I took a sip and blacked out. When I awakened, I was naked in the bed beside him. I had no idea how my clothes came off or how and why I was in his bed.’

Linda Brown. Read her statement

Who have sued

Though many women have come forward and accused Cosby, not all of them have sued him. Most of the civil lawsuits filed against Cosby are for alleged defamation, although he has also been sued for sexual battery. Many of the women are barred from suing him or seeking criminal charges by statutes of limitation.

Sued Cosby for defamation

11

Sued Cosby for chilhood sexual abuse

1

Sued Cosby and Hugh Hefner for sexual battery

1

Sued Cosby, but settled the lawsuit

1