BILL COSBY

Carl Reiner was the Master of Ceremonies and explained to the sold-out crowd that he helped discover Bill Cosby, and more importantly, wanted to be at Front & Center after having to miss the 1998 version.

Legendary performer Sid Caesar spontaneously addressed the audience for a short skit. Robert Culp from I Spy, and Tom Werner of Carsey-Werner were also in attendance.

Cosby performed 75 minutes of comedy for the record-breaking crowd. Tommy Lasorda was honored by his home-town university as the Orange County Person of the Year.

Prior to the show, Ben Vereen, who would later perform with Cal State Fullerton's award-winning students, and Tommy Lasorda, who would later be honored, shared a quiet moment in front of 5,000 of their closest friends.

Ben Vereen, shown performing with Dana Meller of Broadway's Les Miserables (and a Cal State Fullerton graduate) and a talented cast of students in Bill Cosby's musical introduction.