Bill Cosby has affected the lives of everyone in one way or another.

Known for his sense of humor and comedic way of telling stories, Cosby is one of the most recognized personalities in America.

Through his different television shows and specials, and his multiple best-selling books, Cosby has become an educator and an icon to kids and adults alike.

Dating back as early as the mid-1960s, Cosby has been touching all generations with his comedy and musical albums. He has recorded a total of 21 albums (three musical), all of which have reached national pop charts. In the process, Cosby snagged five Grammy Awards for “Best Comedy Album.”

Cosby began his television career in the ’60s with “I Spy” and followed it with the original “The Bill Cosby Show” in 1971.

Shortly after, he made his big screen debut with “Man and Boy” and continued making movies throughout his career. Cosby’s most recent movie appearance was with fellow comedian Robin Williams in “Jack.”

One of Cosby’s most famous and well-liked characters has always been the voice of cartoon legend Fat Albert. Although the show has been off the air for years, “Fat Albert” continues to make a mark on pop culture through t-shirts and catch phrases.

Cosby is known to the college generation for his long-running TV role as Dr. Cliff Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” which ran from 1984 to ’92.

His humorous way of dealing with situations and his lovable father-figure personality made the show amazingly TV-friendly as it found its way into a record number of viewers’ homes week after week.

In 1994, Cosby starred in the short running series “The Cosby Mysteries” and appeared in the TV movie “I Spy Returns.”

Four years after “The Cosby Show” went off the air, the then 59-year-old actor ventured back into sitcoms with the CBS series “Cosby,” a shows that is still in the running as a strong rating holder.

Cosby’s love for and chemistry with children displayed in his years of Jello commercials has taken the form of the comedian’s newest show “Kids Say the Darndest Things.”

“If you’re honest and talk to them like their parents or grandparents talk to them, they’re fine, because they understand everything,” Cosby told USA Today.

Cosby’s extensive television career has been accented with his wonderful writing talent and his ability to write best-selling books. A series of books for beginning readers called “The Little Bill Books” was sparked by his concern for children and their education.

In the mid-1980s, Cosby penned “The Meanest Thing To Say,” which remained at No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller List for over half of its 54-week stay on the list, selling over four million copies. Cosby’s follow-up book, “Time Flies,” also visited the top of the prestigious Times list.

“Love and Marriage” was published in April of 1989 and talked about everything from childhood romances to the flow of relationships and marriage rewards. “Marriage” was trailed by 1991’s “Childhood,” a book about growing up.

In January of 1997, all of the years of laughter turned to tears when tragedy struck the Cosby family. Cosby’s son, Ennis, was murdered while changing a flat tire on a Los Angeles freeway.

An unexpected reaction came from Cosby during that time as he focused on his work instead of becoming grief-stricken, proving that comedy is not his only strong point.

“What I do is make people laugh, and I’ve got to go back in and open up my store,” Cosby explained to USA Today. “I can’t have people looking at me and feeling sorry for me.”

On Sunday, Bill Cosby is coming to Ames to do two shows at Stephens Auditorium. Tickets for the first show at 3 p.m. went on sale June 27 and are priced at $37.50, $33.00, and $28.00. They can be purchased at the Iowa State Center Ticket Office.

Cosby’s second show is at 6 p.m. and is free for all Iowa State students.

Free reserved seating became available on Tuesday night and is available while supplies last.

An ISU ID card and current fee card must be presented to obtain a ticket. One ticket is allowed per person.

Cosby is not unfamiliar with Ames. This is third time he has come to the community to do shows. His first appearance was in 1969 when he did a show for the then-new event Residence Hall Week.

He visited Ames again in March of 1987 when he performed at Hilton Coliseum.