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"As a result of Mr. Cosby's recent criminal
conviction, the Board concluded that his actions have
overshadowed the very career accomplishments these distinctions
from the Kennedy Center intend to recognize," the Washington
D.C. organization said in a statement.
The Kennedy Center joins several U.S. universities that have
revoked honorary degrees bestowed upon the 80-year-old "The
Cosby Show" star.
A Pennsylvania jury last month found the comedian guilty of
drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former
director of operations for the Temple University women's
basketball team. Cosby had pleaded not guilty and his attorneys
said they would appeal. [nL1N1S41OB]
Last week, Hollywood's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences, which hands out the Oscars, expelled Cosby.
[nL1N1SA1RF]
Cosby was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognize
contributions to American culture, in 1998 and the Mark Twain
Prize in 2009.
The moves to rescind Cosby's distinctions come as U.S.
institutions grapple with how to respond to sexual misconduct
allegations against prominent public figures they have honored
or taken money from in the past, sparked by the #MeToo social
movement.
Cosby was known as "America's Dad" for his role on NBC's
top-rated "The Cosby Show" in the 1980s, and was embraced by
many civic, educational and artistic institutions as a figure
who transcended racial divides.
A Cosby spokesman did not immediately return a request for
comment on the Kennedy Center decisions.
(Reporting by Eric Kelsey; editing by Bill Berkrot)
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