Anthony Mackie Reflects on His Deep Bond with Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Anthony Mackie shared his thoughts on his bond with the recently deceased Malcolm-Jamal Warner, describing him as a “beautiful human being.”

During an interview with People while promoting the second season of Peacock’s Twisted Metal, the Captain America: Brave New World actor recalled the beloved actor, who tragically lost his life in an accidental drowning on July 20 during a family holiday in Costa Rica at age 54.

“I’m honored to call Malcolm-Jamal Warner a friend,” Mackie stated, remembering the The Cosby Show star. “He was not only someone I knew but also spent meaningful time with, embodying the essence of a truly wonderful person.”

He added, “Whenever I was with him, I cherished our conversations and the time we shared. Those moments were incredibly important to me.”

Mackie also commemorated another late actor, Andre Braugher, whom he revered as an “icon” and a mentor. The Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor passed away in December 2023 at the age of 61 due to lung cancer.

“As a newcomer on the New York theater scene, having those enlightening moments and lessons conveyed by someone who was an icon to me at that time was invaluable,” he reflected.

Mackie emphasized the importance of authenticity in relationships with mentors: “I always advise people to fully embrace those moments with mentors and to be genuine so that the mentor can see and interact with your true self, rather than a fictitious version you think they might prefer,” he concluded.

The recent Emmy nominee is currently appearing alongside Stephanie Beatriz in Season 2 of Twisted Metal, a continuation of the post-apocalyptic action-comedy series based on the same-named PlayStation video game series.