Bill Cosby Calls Malcolm-Jamal Warner “A Dearly Beloved Friend” in Heartfelt Tribute

Following the tragic news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s passing, his TV dad, Bill Cosby, has shared heartfelt memories of his onscreen son. Warner became a household name with his role as Theodore Huxtable on the iconic ’80s TV show.

“Malcolm was always diligent about retreating to his room to hit the books,” Cosby remarked to CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan. Warner joined the cast of The Cosby Show at the tender age of 14 in 1984. “He always knew his lines and managed to be at ease, even with the typical struggles of adolescence,” Cosby added. (The character Theo was inspired by Cosby’s son Ennis, who was tragically killed in 1997 at 27 during a botched robbery.)

Warner, who received an Emmy nod for his long-running role on the show, also starred in Malcolm & Eddie, Reed Between the Lines, and more recently, The Resident and had guest appearances on 9-1-1 and Alert: Missing Persons Unit. Sadly, the Grammy-winning actor lost his life in an accidental drowning while vacationing with his family in Costa Rica at the age of 54.

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In a recent conversation, Cosby recalled speaking with Warner just three months prior: “He was extremely proud of a concert he’d performed in Minnesota with a symphony orchestra, and he was especially proud of a piece he had composed. It was a reflection on life in America,” he explained.

Cosby, whose reputation has been significantly tarnished in recent years, also shared that he had connected with on-screen wife and Huxtable matriarch Phylicia Rashad to discuss their shared grief.

“We found solace in each other’s voices over the phone, mourning a deeply cherished friend,” he noted.

Throughout the day, the television industry, including former co-stars and executives, paid their respects to Warner’s rich TV legacy. Notable figures such as Angela Bassett, Yvette Nicole Brown, Sherri Shepherd, Tracee Ellis Ross, alongside executive producers of The Resident and actor Morris Chestnut, were among those who honored him.