The world is mourning the loss of Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
Following the Cosby Show alum’s tragic passing at the age of 54 in an accidental drowning, Warner’s former colleagues and cast mates from his decades on TV expressed their grief over the news.
Among them was Warner’s onscreen dad Bill Cosby, whose rep Andrew Wyatt confirmed to E! News that the 88-year-old was just as devastated to learn of Warner’s passing as he was when he learned of his own son Ennis Cosby’s murder in 1997.
The 88-year-old’s rep added that Cosby recalled Warner, who played Theo Huxtable to his patriarch Cliff, and his son playing together as children, noting they “were amazing together.”
Another member of Warner’s onscreen family, Geoffrey Owens, shared the accident has nearly rendered him “speechless.”
“Malcolm was a lovely man; a sweet and sensitive soul,” Owens, who played Theo’s brother-in-law Elvin Tibideaux, added in his statement shared with NBC News. “I respected him for many reasons, including the fact that he genuinely loved the act of creation. He had the mind of an actor and the heart of a musician.”
Beyoncé, too, honored the actor by dedicating her website to him—thanking him “for being a big part of our shared television history”—while Angela Bassett described Warner as a “special soul.”
“Malcolm was more than a gifted actor; he was a longtime friend,” the Black Panther actress continued. “Even in his youth, Malcolm’s empathy, quiet strength, and his bright light surrounded us all.”
Warner died on July 20 in an accidental drowning while on vacation with his wife and daughter in Costa Rica after being pulled out to sea in a strong current, per police. While the local Red Cross confirmed people on the beach had brought Warner back onto the beach, he had no vital signs at the time paramedics arrived and was not able to be revived with CPR.
Following the news, Warner’s The Resident costar Shaunette Renée Wilson—who played his character Dr. AJ Austin’s mentee and eventual love interest Dr. Mina Okafor—expressed her regret over not reaching out to Warner when she had the chance.
“Last week I had the impulse to text you for one of our lengthy heart check-ins,” she wrote on Instagram. “I truly wish I had so that one of the last words I had of you were of your wisdom, kindness, and that uncanny ability you had to be both unserious and profound within a single sentence.”
Adding that Warner was “such a dear friend,” Wilson added, “I’m beyond heartbroken.”
For more tributes shared in memory of Warner, keep reading.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Courtney B. Vance
“When @malcolmjamalwar was in the room,” he wrote of his Tuskegee Airmen costar, “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.”
Vance added, “Rest in eternal peace, my good brother. We will always remember you!”
Adam Sandler
The comedian said of his former Cosby Show costar, “Malcolm was so nice to me when I was on the show and we had such good times together.”
“We would take walks together, all of us and pick up food, talk, play basketball, hang out on the weekends, and go to parties together,” he added. “He was so good to me as a person, and his mom was amazing. I’m just sending my love to the family. Malcolm is a true, great person, hilarious, smart kid and meant a lot to America.”
Tracee Ellis Ross
“I love you, Malcolm,” Ross wrote in a July 21 Instagram post of her Reed Between the Lines costar. “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.”
She continued, “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.”
Geoffrey Owens
“This tragedy has almost left me speechless,” the Cosby Show alum shared in a statement with NBC News. “Malcolm was a lovely man; a sweet and sensitive soul. I respected him for many reasons, including the fact that he genuinely loved the act of creation. He had the mind of an actor and the heart of a musician.”
He added, “He was generous, too; I did a theater project long ago and asked him to participate; and he was there for me. My heart goes out to his family.”
Shaunette Renée Wilson
“Last week I had the impulse to text you for one of our lengthy heart check-ins,” Wilson wrote on Instagram. “I truly wish I had so that one of the last words I had of you were of your wisdom, kindness, and that uncanny ability you had to be both unserious and profound within a single sentence.”
She continued, referencing their time on The Resident, “Rest in Power, Malcolm. It was a joy to be Mina to your AJ.”
Angela Bassett
The Black Panther actress shared a lengthy tribute to Warner, whom she worked with on American Horror Story and 9-1-1.
“When a special soul like @malcolmjamalwar leaves us far too soon, words fail to adequately describe the unimaginable grief,” she wrote on Instagram. “Malcolm was more than a gifted actor; he was a longtime friend.”
She added, “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.”
Beyoncé
The musical icon dedicated the front page of her website to the late Cosby Show actor.
“Rest in power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” a message shared to the homepage read in all caps. “Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.”
Bill Cosby
The 88-year-old’s rep Andrew Wyatt confirmed to E! News that Cosby was just as devastated to learn of Warner’s passing as when he learned of his own son Ennis Cosby’s 1997 murder, which was the result of a failed robbery attempt.
The former comedian also spoke of his late son and Warner playing together as children, noting they “were amazing together,” per the rep, and that the Cosby Show actor created a lasting impact through his work.
Viola Davis
“I actually am speechless,” the How to Get Away With Murder alum wrote on Instagram. “No words! Theo was OUR son, OUR brother, OUR friend… He was absolutely so familiar, and we rejoiced at how TV got it right!! But… Malcolm got it right… and now… we reveled in your life and are gutted by this loss. Blessings and prayers to your family and loved ones… We will speak your name—always.”
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos
The Live! hosts paid tribute to Warner, who they say was the show’s first ever guest.
“It’s just so sad and crushing, and you don’t realize—I literally, even though I didn’t know him, grew up with this man,” Kelly said on-air. “We were 14 years old together, only he was a big TV star and I was watching him. I feel like a piece of all of us passed away. It’s very, very sad.”
