Cosby again people’s choice

Press, 13 March 1986, Page 10

Cosby again people’s choice

NZPA-AP Los Angeles For the second year in a row Bill Cosby has won the heart of the American public, taking multiple honours in the People’s Choice awards for his portrayal of a wry and funny television father.

The Oscar-winning actress, Meryl Streep, nominated for an Academy Award this year for her performance in “Out Of Africa,” was selected by the public as favourite motion picture actress and favourite all-round female entertainer.

Cosby was chosen as the public’s favourite allround male entertainer and favourite male television performer. His television series, “The Cosby Show,” took top honours as favourite television comedy for the second year in a row. For the television actor honour Cosby edged a “Miami Vice” star, Don Johnson, and Tom Selleck, of “Magnum P. 1.” Streep shared the allround female entertainer honour with a singer, Barbara Mandrell, who has won eight previous People’s Choice awards. Mandrell, who was seriously injured in a car accident two years ago, recently returned to the stage. The People’s Choice awards are billed as the only awards ceremony covering films, television and music, in which the public votes. Awards given in 19 categories were determined by a scientific sampling of more than 5000 people across the United States who were polled by the Princeton, New Jersey-based Gallup organisation. Sylvester Stallone, on a roll from his “Rocky” and “Rambo” sequels, scored another knock-out with the public, taking honours for favourite motion picture actor. Rival nominees in the category were Clint Eastwood and Michael J. Fox.

Linda Evans, who stars on television’s top-rated soap, “Dynasty,” was the People’s Choice for favourite female television performer, for the second year in a row. In the category of favourite dramatic television programme, “Dynasty” shared the honours with “Miami Vice.” “Back to the Future,” which starred Fox, was named the nation’s favourite movie. In some of the musical categories, Bruce Springsteen was voted favourite male musical performer and Madonna got the award for favourite female musical performer.