Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Death: Beyoncé, Angela Bassett and More React

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The world is mourning the loss of Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

After the unexpected death of a former star from The Cosby Show, who passed away at 54 due to an accidental drowning, those who worked with him during his long television career shared their sorrow upon hearing the sad news.

One of them was Bill Cosby, who played Warner’s onscreen father. TopMob News confirmed through Andrew Wyatt that the 88-year-old felt as distraught upon learning about Warner’s death as he did when he heard about the murder of his own son, Ennis Cosby, in 1997.

The representative for the 88-year-old mentioned that Cosby remembered Warner, who portrayed Theo Huxtable, his on-screen son, and recalled how they used to play together as kids. They pointed out that their interactions were simply fantastic.

A fellow cast member from the Warner clan, Geoffrey Owens, expressed that the incident left him almost without words.

Malcolm was a wonderful individual; kind and compassionate to his core,” said Owens, who portrayed Theo’s brother-in-law Elvin Tibideaux, in his statement to NBC News. “I admired him for numerous reasons, one being that he truly appreciated the process of creation. He possessed the talent of an actor and the passion of a musician.

Beyoncé and Angela Bassett also paid tribute to the actor. Beyoncé dedicated her website to him, expressing gratitude for his role in their collective TV history. Meanwhile, Angela Bassett called Warner a “unique spirit.

Beyond being a talented actor, Malcolm was also a cherished friend,” the actress from Black Panther went on to say. “In his younger days, Malcolm’s compassion, silent power, and radiant presence enveloped us all.

On July 20, Warner tragically lost his life in Costa Rica during a vacation with his family due to an unfortunate incident involving a strong ocean current that pulled him out to sea. Despite efforts from bystanders who managed to bring him back to the shore, he was unconscious upon the arrival of paramedics and could not be resuscitated using CPR. According to police reports.

After keeping up with the news, Shaunette Renée Wilson, a costar on The Resident who portrayed Dr. Mina Okafor, the mentee and later love interest of Warner’s character Dr. Austin, shared her sadness for not having contacted Warner when she had the opportunity to do so in the past.

She shared on Instagram last week that she felt like reaching out for our usual deep conversations. I regret not doing so because the final message I received from her contained her insightful thoughts, kindness, and unique talent for being both humorous and thought-provoking in a single statement.

Adding that Warner was “such a dear friend,” Wilson added, “I’m beyond heartbroken.”

For more tributes shared in memory of Warner, keep reading.

In the room where @malcolmjamalwar was present, he penned down his thoughts about his Tuskegee Airmen co-star. He conveyed that we all sensed his warm and benevolent essence. He wasn’t merely diligent; he embodied integrity and honor. Having risen through the ranks in this industry, he served as an inspiring example for aspiring young professionals, demonstrating what it means to excel in this profession while leading a genuine life.

Vance added, “Rest in eternal peace, my good brother. We will always remember you!”

In a conversation, the comedian expressed about his ex-co-star from “The Cosby Show”, “Malcolm was incredibly kind to me during the show, and we shared some wonderful moments together.

He mentioned that we often enjoyed spending time together, going for walks, gathering food, chatting, playing basketball, socializing during weekends, and attending parties as a group. He was incredibly kind to me, and his mother was equally wonderful. I simply want to express my affection towards the family. Malcolm was truly exceptional, filled with humor, intelligence, and held great significance not just for me, but for America as well.

In a July 21 Instagram post, Ross expressed his feelings for Malcolm by saying, “I adore you, Malcolm,” followed by a tribute to his co-star in the show “Reed Between the Lines.” Initially, he met him as Theo and later they became each other’s TV spouse. His heart is incredibly heavy with sadness.

She went on saying, ‘You were such an incredible actor and friend: compassionate, soft-spoken, attentive, considerate, profound, amusing, graceful. You truly brightened the world around you. My heartfelt sympathies go out to your family during this incredibly difficult time.’

In a statement to NBC News, the former Cosby Show star expressed near loss for words over this unfortunate event. “Malcolm was more than just an actor; he was a kind, gentle soul who possessed a deep love for creativity,” he said. “I admired him greatly, not only for his talent as an actor but also for his heart as a musician.

He also mentioned, “He was kind-hearted as well; I had a theater project in the past and requested his involvement; he didn’t disappoint. He stood by my side. My sympathies are with his loved ones.

Last week, I felt an urge to reach out to you for our usual deep chats on Instagram. Wishing now I had, so that the last words I have of you were filled with your wisdom, kindness, and that incredible talent you had for being both playful and thought-provoking in a single statement.

Speaking personally, I carry on, reflecting upon our shared time on The Resident. In memory of Malcolm, my sincere tribute: it was an absolute pleasure embodying Mina alongside his AJ.

Actress from Black Panther posted a heartfelt, extensive message honoring Warner, her colleague on American Horror Story and 9-1-1 productions.

When someone extraordinary such as MalcolmJamalWar departs from us much earlier than expected, it becomes challenging to find fitting words to express the profound sorrow felt. Malcolm wasn’t merely a talented actor; he was a cherished companion for many years. (Instagram Post)

She noted, “In the course of life, Malcolm stands out as a soulful artist whose unwavering dedication to his work left an indelible mark on me that continues to resonate. He bore the burden of cultural heritage with elegance and consistently created room for others to excel. His influence will forever dwell in our hearts.

The musical icon dedicated the front page of her website to the late Cosby Show actor.

Farewell, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, you’ve left an indelible mark on our collective TV memories. We’ll always cherish your contributions and deeply miss your presence.

 

Andrew Wyatt, the representative for the 88-year-old, shared with TopMob News that Cosby felt as distraught upon hearing about Warner’s death as he did when he learned of his son Ennis Cosby’s passing in 1997, which was due to a botched robbery attempt.

In a heartfelt discussion, the ex-comedian reminisced about his late son and Warner sharing childhood moments, expressing that their bond was truly remarkable, as stated by his representative. Furthermore, the iconic actor from “The Cosby Show” left an indelible mark on many through his profound work.

The former star of How to Get Away With Murder posted on Instagram, ‘I’m left utterly speechless.’ ‘There are no words,’ he said. ‘Theo was more than just a character, he was our son, our brother, our friend… He was someone we knew so well, and it was incredible how accurately he was portrayed. But… Malcolm got it right… Now, we celebrate your life and mourn this tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and loved ones… We will never forget you.’

The Live! hosts paid tribute to Warner, who they say was the show’s first ever guest.

Kelly expressed her sorrow and shock, saying it felt as if a part of her had died. She grew up admiring this man, even though they weren’t acquainted, since he was a popular TV personality while she was just a young fan. His passing has left a profound sadness among everyone.

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2025-07-22 20:17