Beyoncé, Tracee Ellis Ross, Viola Davis, More Remember Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key TakeawaysMalcolm-Jamal Warner visits SiriusXM Studios on June 11, 2024 in New York City - Credit: Santiago Felipe/Getty ImagesTributes are pouring in for the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died Sunday at 54. After news broke that the actor died following an accidental drowning in Costa Rica, stars from Beyoncé and Jamie Foxx to his TV wife Tracee Ellis Ross and Jennifer Love Hewitt shared their condolences with his family and reflected on his legacy.
“I cannot believe this. This hurts my heart,” Hewitt, who starred in 9-1-1 with Warner, wrote on Instagram. “A gentleman, an incredible talent and we were so lucky to have him in the ‘9-1-1’ family. Heartbroken and sending love to his family.”
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AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_4pokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_8pokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeEllis Ross, who played his wife and lead role in Reed Between the Lines, shared her condolences on Instagram: “I love you, Malcolm. 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.”
She added: “You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”
For her part, Beyoncé updated her website with a tribute to the late actor, writing, “Rest in power Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.”
Sherri Shepherd, who starred in Sherri with him in 2009, wrote that she was “completely devastated” by his death. “He brought much laughter and gravitas playing my husband on my self-titled sitcom,” Shepherd said. “As someone who grew up on TV, Malcolm remained one of the most grounded people I’ve ever met in our business. To know Malcolm was to know a renaissance man that possessed humor, grace, humility and deep cultural appreciation.”
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_5hokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_9hokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeViola Davis wrote that she was “speechless” and described how Theo — his character on The Cosby Show — was “OUR son, OUR brother, OUR friend.” She wrote: “Malcolm got it right… and now… we reveled in your life and are gutted by this loss. … We will speak your name — always.”
Niecy Nash shared that she had recently spoken with Warner, saying they connected on “how happy we both were in our marriages.” She wrote: “Damn friend You were [the] cornerstone of The Cosby Show. We all loved Theo! Never to be forgotten. You will be missed. Rest Easy.”
Holly Robinson Peete, whose father wrote and produced Cosby, shared her appreciation for the late actor.
“He was always gracious, kind, funny and gave the absolute best hugs,” Peete wrote. “I am sending my deepest condolences to his mom, Pamela and his family… We aren’t ready to say goodbye, Malcolm — but you lived with purpose, character, presence, and grace. Rest well, my friend. Your light lives on…”
Jamie Foxx said he was “speechless on this one.” Vivica A. Fox added that she was “stunned and saddened,” while Jennifer Hudson shared an obit post from People and wrote, “Devastated by this news. Truly heartbroken! Rest well, king.” Taraji P. Henson, wrote, “This one hurt. Malcolm, we grew up with you… You left the world better than you found it.”
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_6lokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_alokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeCosta Rica National Police toldABC Newsthat the actor died of asphyxia after swimming near Limon, Costa Rica. Police told the outlet he was caught by a high current. Warner was most known forThe Cosby Show. Warner’s role as the lovable Theodore Huxtable, the only son of Bill Cosby’s Cliff Huxtable on the show, earned him a nod for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 1986 Emmy Awards.
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