Russel Huxtable / Panthro has passed onEarle Hyman, actor of screen and stage best known as Grandpa Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," died Friday at age 91.
For 40 episodes over the famed sitcom's eight-season run, Hyman appeared in a recurring role as Cliff Huxtable's father, Russell, who would often butt heads with his son in comedic fashion while serving as a voice of wisdom to his grandchildren. Once a famous jazz trombonist named "Slide" Huxtable, Russell and his wife, Anna (Clarice Taylor), were the centerpiece of two of the show's most famous episodes in seasons 2 and 3, when the Huxtables put together lip-synch and dance routines for them to celebrate their wedding anniversaries. Hyman's work on the episode earned him an Emmy nomination.