Malcolm-Jamal Warner‘s former co-stars and industry peers have paid tribute to the late “Cosby Show” star after he died in a drowning accident at age 54.
“I love you, Malcolm,” Tracee Ellis Ross wrote on Instagram alongside a carousel of photos of her with Warner on the press tour of the BET sitcom “Reed Between the Lines,” on which they played a married couple. “First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”
Eddie Griffin, who starred alongside Warner on the UPN sitcom “Malcolm & Eddie,” posted a photo of Warner on his Instagram story with the words “R.I.P. King” and “My big little brother,” with prayer and heart emojis.
Later, Griffin sent an expanded statement to Variety: “My Heart is heavy today… For what the world lost was a Father a Son a Poet a Musician an Actor a Teacher a Writer a Director a Friend a Warrior that I had the pleasure of going to war with against the Hollywood machine and sometimes with each other because that’s what Brothers do but the Love was and is always there🙏🏾 You’ve taught me so much and I thank you 🙏🏾 Rest Well My Big little Brother 🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾”
Niecy Nash also posted a photo with Warner on Instagram, writing, “My God, we just spoke. You were giving my my flowers for my work in [FX’s ‘Grotesquerie’] and we talked about how happy we both were in our marriages. Damn friend. You were cornerstone of The Cosby Show. We all loved Theo! Never to be forgotten. You will be missed. Rest Easy.”
Angela Bassett, who worked with Warner on “9-1-1,” remembered him in a statement, writing, “When I met him, he was a star on the show that was TV royalty, ‘The Cosby Show.’ He warmly embraced me as a working actor who was trying to find my way. Even in his youth, Malcolm’s empathy, quiet strength, and his bright light surrounded us all. Then to have the opportunity to work with him again last year on ‘9-1-1 ‘was a memorable full circle moment for us both.
“In this life, Malcolm is what’s known as a soulful artist whose deep commitment to his craft left an impression on me that has never faded. He carried the weight of cultural legacy with grace, and he always made space for others to shine. His light will remain in our hearts always. My prayers are with you and yours. Rest in perfect peace until we meet again,” Bassett concluded.
Wendell Pierce said in a statement, “I first met Malcolm Jamal Warner over 25 years ago when we did ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by William Shakespeare. A man of deep goodness, warmth, talent, and charm. He challenged himself in music, art, cinema, spoken word and writing. We did Shakespeare together, crime drama and played dear friends on TV at one point. Art imitating life. Forever youthful, he had a huge capacity for joy but admonished those who did not afford him the respect he had earned with his work. He exercised his right of self determination. A tragic loss of a man who demonstrated the best in our humanity.”
Courtney B. Vance said, “It is with such a heavy heart that we bid farewell to a man who was a friend and colleague to so many of us. When Malcolm was in the room, we all felt his good and kind spirit. He was not just a hard worker. He was a man with integrity and honor. He grew up in this business, serving as a beacon of possibilities for young people to see what it means to have this career and have a real life. In paying tribute to Malcolm, I believe the lyrics from the hymn, ‘He’ll Understand and Say Well Done,’ are most fitting in honoring him on today: “Oh, when I come to the end of my journey, Weary of life and the battle is won; Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption, He’ll understand and say, ‘Well done’…If when this life of labor is ended, And the reward of the race you have run; Oh! The sweet rest that’s prepared for the faithful, Will be their blest and last, ‘Well done.”
Rest in eternal peace, my good brother. We will always remember you! To Malcolm’s mother, wife, & family, you have our deepest condolences.”
Marlee Matlin wrote on Instagram, “I am so sad to read of the untimely passing of Malcolm Jamal Warner. He was the nicest guy and it was a privilege to have been in the same company with him … My heart goes out to his family and friends.”
A statement from Fox Entertainment read, “Everyone at Fox is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, the extraordinary Malcolm-Jamal Warner. While his iconic roles — from comedic to dramatic — are unforgettable and timeless, Malcolm will be remembered most for his warmth, kind heart and the lasting impact he had on his friends, family and fans everywhere. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones.” Warner starred on the Fox medical drama series “The Resident” as AJ Austin.
Ashley Jones posted a photo from the set of “The Resident,” writing, “Malcolm. It was only about an 8 day stretch I got to hang and work with you on set. I was a big fan, but you were a friend. You were the real deal. Talked about your wife and daughter, your music, your poetry. We talked about my son and some hard life stuff I was going through… you were inspiring. Encouraged me to keep directing. Keep challenging myself. It was an honor — and I pray your family is comforted. Your legacy will live on. Rest easy in God’s hands.”
Warner, who played Theodore Huxtable on all eight seasons of “The Cosby Show,” died of asphyxia while on a family vacation in Costa Rica. He reportedly was caught in a high current while swimming in the ocean, and he drowned. His body was identified by Costa Rica’s national police on Sunday.
Playing the son of Bill Cosby’s Cliff Huxtable, Warner was a young icon of 1980s television. He went on to have a successful acting career into his adult life, and he also dabbled in the music industry, directing music videos and scoring a Grammy as a featured artist on a Robert Glasper song.
Warner starred on the UPN sitcom “Malcolm & Eddie” opposite Griffin, and he also led the BET sitcom “Reed Between the Lines.” His other roles included AJ Austin on “The Resident,” Sticky on “Sons of Anarchy” and Al Cowlings on “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” Warner had guest spots on shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Grown-ish” and “Community,” and he played the voice role of the Producer on PBS Kids’ “The Magic School Bus,” which he also executive produced.
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter.
