Walt Disney World Removes Bill Cosby Statue

Walt Disney World Removes Bill Cosby Statue

A Bill Cosby statue has been removed from Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Orlando, Florida.

The statue came down Tuesday night after the park closed, a Walt Disney World spokesperson told TheWrap.

The bronze bust of the embattled comedian is being removed in the wake of court documents from a 2005 deposition that were unsealed on Monday in which Cosby admitted to having obtained Quaaludes with the intent of giving them to women with whom he wanted to have sex.

Also Read: 5 Shocking Revelations From Unsealed Bill Cosby Deposition

The move comes after an online petition on Change.org circulated demanding it be taken down following nearly 40 women publicly accusing Cosby of raping, drugging, coercing or sexually assaulting them.

“The Disney name is synonymous with family-friendly entertainment and with Mr. Cosby in the media daily facing accusations of sexual assault with the number of victims ever-climbing, it is inappropriate for Disney Parks to have a replica of Mr. Cosby’s likeness on display,” the petition stated.

However, an individual with knowledge of the removal said it was not sparked by the petition but was an internal park decision.

Cosby was featured at the theme park along with TV stars such as Lucille Ball and Oprah Winfrey who have been inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

Also Read: 37 Bill Cosby Accusers: Complete Breakdown of the Allegations

The newly-unsealed documents, obtained by TheWrap, go on to state that “defendant [Cosby] testified that he obtained seven prescriptions for Quaaludes.” When asked if he gave the drugs to other people, Cosby replied “yes.” The case was settled in 2006 for an undisclosed amount.

To date, Cosby has faced no criminal charges stemming from the allegations. His attorney, Martin Singer, has denied the accusations made against the comedian in the past. Singer did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment Monday on the Pennsylvania court documents.

Related stories from TheWrap:

National Enquirer Dodges Questions Over Killed Bill Cosby Sex Abuse Story

Bill Cosby Series Yanked From Bounce TV, Centric Network

Bill Cosby Accusers Tell CNN's Don Lemon Shocking Quaalude Admission 'Is a Game Changer'