Fat Albert Basic Information

Fat Albert in his classic red shirt and blue jeans

Fat Albert as depicted in the original Filmation series

Also known as:
Big AlAlbert

Creation Info

First Appearance

September 9, 1972 (Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids TV series)

Creator

Bill Cosby (based on his real childhood friend Albert Robertson)

Series

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids

Copyright

Filmation Associates / Entertainment Rights

Identity

Species

Human (African-American)

Gender

Male

Age

Teenager (approximately 12-14 years old)

Birthday

Not specified

Occupation

Student, Leader of the Junkyard Gang

Fat Albert's Appearance

Physical Features

Height

Tall and large for his age

Body Type

Overweight/Obese but athletic

Color Scheme

Dark skin, black hair

Signature Style

Outfit

Red shirt, blue jeans

Catchphrase

Hey hey hey!

Accessories

Sometimes carries makeshift musical instruments from junkyard

Fat Albert Character Background

Origin Story

Based on Bill Cosby's real childhood friend Albert Robertson from his Philadelphia neighborhood. The character first appeared in Cosby's 1968 Grammy-winning comedy album 'Revenge' before being adapted for television.

Character Timeline

1968

Comedy Album Debut

First mentioned in Bill Cosby's Grammy-winning album 'Revenge'.

1972

TV Series Launch

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids premiered on CBS, running for 13 successful seasons.

1979

Emmy Recognition

The series won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program.

2004

Live-Action Film

Starred in the live-action film 'Fat Albert' with Kenan Thompson.

1985

Series Conclusion

The original series ended after 110 episodes and 3 specials.

Fat Albert's Personality

Personality Traits

  • Caring / Compassionate
  • Optimistic / Positive
  • Leadership qualities
  • Gentle / Kind-hearted
  • Wise beyond his years
  • Athletic despite appearance
  • Moral compass
  • Enthusiastic

Strengths

  • Natural leader and mediator
  • Brings out the best in others
  • Strong moral values
  • Athletic ability despite size
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Loyalty to friends

Weaknesses

  • Sometimes too trusting
  • Can be overly optimistic
  • Occasionally naive about complex situations

Goals

  • To help his friends learn and grow
  • To keep the gang together and positive
  • To teach valuable life lessons

Fears

  • Letting his friends down
  • Not being able to help when needed

Fat Albert's Gallery

Fat Albert's Abilities

Special Powers

  • Natural leadership abilities
  • Moral guidance and wisdom
  • Athletic prowess despite size

Skills

  • Conflict resolution
  • Teaching and mentoring
  • Music (plays makeshift instruments)
  • Sports (surprisingly agile)
  • Problem-solving

Fat Albert's Relationships

Friends

Russell
Youngest member of the gang, known for saying 'No class'
Rudy
Arrogant gang member, frequent source of conflict
Mushmouth
Friend with distinctive mumbled speech pattern
Dumb Donald
Mysterious friend who wears a hat covering his face
Weird Harold
Tall, lanky friend
Bucky
Gang member with prominent front teeth

Fat Albert Awards & Recognition

  • Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program
  • Educational recognition for positive messaging

Fat Albert Cultural Influence

Pop Culture Impact

Fat Albert became an iconic figure in children's television, known for combining entertainment with education. His catchphrase 'Hey hey hey!' is instantly recognizable across generations. The show was groundbreaking for featuring positive African-American characters in animation.

Social Impact

The series was notable for addressing real social issues facing urban youth, including peer pressure, bullying, and family problems, while maintaining an optimistic and educational approach. It helped normalize diverse representation in children's programming.

Fat Albert's Theme Colors

Primary Colorred
Secondary Colorblue
Accent Coloryellow
Background Colorurban-gray

More About Fat Albert

Famous Catchphrases

  • 'Hey hey hey!'
  • 'I'm gonna tell you a story...'
  • 'Come on, gang!'
  • 'We're gonna have some fun!'

The Junkyard Gang

Fat Albert leads a diverse group of friends known as the Junkyard Gang, each with their own unique personality and quirks. Together, they navigate the challenges of growing up in an urban environment while learning valuable life lessons about friendship, honesty, and doing the right thing.

Educational Purpose

Each episode of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids featured educational content and moral lessons, often introduced by Bill Cosby in live-action segments. The show tackled real issues like peer pressure, stranger danger, and the importance of education, making it both entertaining and instructive for young viewers.

Fat Albert In Their Own Words

Character Introduction

"Hey hey hey!" It's Fat Albert, the beloved leader of the Junkyard Gang from the classic animated series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids! Created by Bill Cosby and based on his real childhood friend, Fat Albert has been teaching kids valuable life lessons since 1972 with his positive attitude, caring nature, and infectious enthusiasm.

Personality Traits

Despite his large size, Fat Albert is surprisingly athletic and serves as the moral compass for his group of friends. He's optimistic, caring, and wise beyond his years, always ready to help his friends learn from their mistakes and grow as individuals. His gentle leadership style and ability to mediate conflicts make him the natural leader of the Junkyard Gang.

Educational Impact

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids was groundbreaking for its time, combining entertainment with education in a way that resonated with children. Each episode featured real-world problems and positive solutions, teaching kids about friendship, honesty, responsibility, and the importance of doing the right thing. The show's educational approach earned it Emmy recognition and a lasting place in children's television history.

Cultural Legacy

More than just a cartoon character, Fat Albert represents positive values and the power of friendship. His catchphrase "Hey hey hey!" has become part of popular culture, and the show's influence can be seen in later educational children's programming. The series broke important ground by featuring positive African-American characters in animation and addressing urban youth issues with optimism and wisdom.

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