<Tr> <Th> Nationality </Th> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <P> Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable is a fictional character on the NBC sitcom, The Cosby Show . He was portrayed by Bill Cosby . </P> <P> Cosby originally proposed that the couple should both have blue - collar jobs, with the father a limousine driver, who owned his own car, and the mother an electrician but, with advice from his wife, Camille Cosby, the concept was changed so that the family was well - off financially, with the mother a lawyer and the father a doctor . </P> <P> Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable is known for his comical antics, playful admonishments, and relentless teasing humor . He lives in Brooklyn Heights, New York . He was born in October 1937 in Philadelphia, making him 47 years old at the beginning of the series . Cliff had a brother, James Theodore Huxtable, who died of rheumatic fever at the age of 7 . In his high school and college years, he was an athlete who wrestled, played football, and ran track . He later served in the Navy before going to medical school . He is an OB / GYN who runs a practice from the office annexed to his home . In the show, most characters outside of family and friends refer to him as "Dr. Huxtable", and he is well - respected in the community . </P>

What was bill cosby's job in the cosby show