Bill Cosby charmed fans in 1990s Denver

A Denver restaurateur was on the phone with a hot tip: Bill Cosby was holding court with passers-by while having coffee on an outdoor patio.

Cosby was still at Larimer Square, cigar in hand and still chatting, when I arrived 10 minutes later on that October day in 1998.

His famous smile disappeared when I introduced myself and asked if I could do a quick interview.

“No,” he said firmly. “I’ll talk to anyone but not the media.”

So I stood nearby, taking notes for a column, in awe as America’s favorite dad kibitzed with fans of all ages, from a girl with lime-colored hair to a couple in their 70s from Holland.

I found the column online Sunday.

“Can I call you Mr. Huxtable?” asked a wide-eyed 14-year-old girl from a suburban middle school.

“It’s Dr. Huxtable,” said Cosby, feigning an aristocratic air.

Upon hearing the couple was from Europe, Cosby told her, “Do you have a camera in that bag?”

Yes, she said, in a dither.

“Well, get your son,” said Cosby, knowing it was her husband, “over here and let’s take a picture.”

“Oh, my God, I’m going to cry,” sobbed another teenage girl from the school field trip.

One of her classmates squealed, “I know what I’m writing in my journal tonight!”

From a slow-moving car came a female voice, “Bill, we love you!”

Later, I learned Cosby was in Denver for a learning disability benefit. His late son, Ennis Cosby, had attended a learning disability school. His son, 28, had been killed in a robbery nearly two years earlier.

I found another column from November 1997. It was about another visit to Larimer Square, one of his favorite stops.

The owner of a store specializing in Victorian-style women’s clothes had called me, saying Cosby had been in shopping for a wedding dress.

A wedding dress?

Yes, the owner said. He paid $200 for a yesteryear wedding dress, she said, as a gag gift for his longtime friend and comedy club owner Bobby Rifkin, who often booked Cosby.

When he left the store, she said, Cosby was recognized by punked-out, black-lipped street urchins. It made their day, the store owner said. They got to trade wisecracks with Cosby.

The comedian had just left when I arrived that day.

A Denver attorney, Francie McDonald, told me she was standing in the doorway of The Market, where Cosby often had his morning coffee, when she heard an unmistakable voice behind her.

“He came up and did Cosby-isms,” she said. And, as he left, he planted a kiss on her cheek. “It was just so great,” she said.

Last week, as allegations of sexual assault mounted against Cosby, I found myself wondering why a man so beloved, here and around the globe, who had won over everyone from school kids to media, kept a Denver newspaperman at bay.

Last week, as the list of accusers continued to grow, I noticed there were many Denver connections to the widening story. A top modeling agency in Denver was contacted and asked to provide aspiring teens for mentoring when Cosby came in for an appearance.

One of the two was Barbara Bowman, who, in a Washington Post guest column, accused Cosby of gaining her trust as a father figure and then drugging and assaulting her. She was 17 when she met him.

Back in the 1990s, I marveled at the man who gave so much his fans. So what if he didn’t want to talk to another journalist?

But now I tend to think something else may have been involved.

Self-preservation.

A GLORIOUS WEEK

Myron Martin, president and CEO of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, returned Sunday after a glorious five days on Broadway.

He saw four shows and preview of the musical life story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s “Get On Your Feet.”

“It was fabulous,” Martin told his Facebook followers.

In congratulating the Estefans, the Bernie Yuman-Nederlander family partnership and the creative team, Martin said, “I think this is going to be a good one!”

Yuman, longtime manager of illusionists Siegfried and Roy, is a co-producer.

The show’s official opening night is Nov. 5, 2015.

Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, who brought “Peep Show” to Planet Hollywood,” is the director, and Sergio Trujillo will be the choreographer.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Australian rap sensation Iggy Azalea cleared up a rumor last week. Asked by a Twitter follower if she would work with Planet Hollywood headliner Britney Spears, the “Fancy” breakout pop star tweeted: “I did, and it was amazing.”

SIGHTINGS

President Barack Obama, on the driving range at the Reflection Bay course at Lake Las Vegas on Sunday. He reportedly played nine holes before flying back to Washington. He played at least 18 holes on Saturday at Shadow Creek and reportedly attempted to get another nine in. … Nicolas Cage, taking in Rod Stewart’s show at the Colosseum (Caesars Palace) on Saturday. … Melanie Mueller, the winner of Germany’s version of “Survivor” (known as “The Jungle Queen”), spotted at Michael E. Minden Diamonds Jewelers at Fashion Show on Saturday. They were accompanied by a film crew.

THE PUNCH LINE

“I don’t know if you know this, but Hitler was a painter and one of his watercolor paintings is being auctioned off. It’s expected to sell for over $60,000. So if you’re looking for a wedding gift for Charles Manson.” — Conan O’Brien

Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more at normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter.