Bill Cosby says Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s sudden death at 54 takes him back to dark time of his son’s murder
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bill Cosby is speaking out following the sudden and tragic death of 'The Cosby Show' star Malcolm-Jamal Warner. He says the loss has reopened an old wound, bringing back painful memories of his own son's murder.
Warner, who famously portrayed Theodore "Theo" Huxtable, the only son of Cosby's character on the groundbreaking sitcom, has died at the age of 54. The actor reportedly drowned while swimming on Sunday, July 20, during a family vacation in Costa Rica.
From 1984 to 1992, Warner brought warmth and humor to millions as Theo, and he went on to build a respected career with roles in ‘Major Crimes’, ‘Suits’, and ‘The Resident’.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s death left Bill Cosby with a painful memory from his past
According to a statement from Bill Cosby’s longtime representative, Andrew Wyatt, shared with TMZ, the news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s sudden death brought back a deeply painful memory for the veteran actor and comedian.
Cosby was reportedly flooded with emotion, recalling the moment in January 1997 when he received the devastating call that his 27-year-old son, Ennis Cosby, had been shot and killed during a failed robbery attempt.
Wyatt said the impact of Warner’s death struck Cosby just as hard. The two shared a close bond, and Cosby often recalled how Warner and his son used to play together as children, describing them as “amazing together.”
In their most recent conversation, Warner had expressed excitement about an upcoming concert in Minneapolis and spoke passionately about feeling like he was helping change the world.
Cosby also reminisced about a visit Warner made to the family’s property in Massachusetts, where he had the entire Cosby clan in stitches, a memory still cherished by those who were there.
According to Wyatt, Cosby believes Malcolm-Jamal left behind a powerful legacy, not just through his work, but through the lives he inspired. He said, “Every young man growing up in the projects back in the day wanted to be like Warner and to have a family like the Huxtables.” His parting words on the actor's legacy: "He was brilliant."
Cosby also shared his heartfelt memories of Warner with ABC News, saying, "He was always a great studier, and I enjoyed working with him very much. Malcolm calls here regularly. He was very professional. He always knew his part... He always knew his lines, and he always knew where to go."
Malcolm-Jamal Warner had an impressive career in television and music
Following his breakout role on 'The Cosby Show,' Malcolm-Jamal Warner continued to build an impressive and varied career in television and music. He went on to star in the sitcom 'Malcolm & Eddie' alongside comedian Eddie Griffin.
Warner also made memorable guest appearances on beloved shows such as 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' and 'Sesame Street', showcasing his versatility and enduring appeal.
In more recent years, he portrayed Dr AJ Austin, a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, on the medical drama 'The Resident', earning praise for his commanding and emotional performance.
His talents weren’t limited to the screen. Warner was also a force in music and spoken word. In 2015, he earned a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance alongside Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway for their powerful rendition of Stevie Wonder’s 'Jesus Children of America.'
His passion for storytelling through poetry continued with his spoken word album 'Hiding In Plain View,' which earned him another Grammy nomination in 2023.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s most recent project was ‘Not All Hood’
One of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s most recent projects was a podcast titled 'Not All Hood,' which he co-hosted alongside Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley. Launched in June of last year, the show aimed to break down barriers surrounding mental health within the Black community, a cause Warner was deeply passionate about.
In an interview with People, he described the podcast as a rare space where he felt comfortable being his most vulnerable.
“It's been an interesting experience for me, because it's a place where I feel safe enough to be able to be as vulnerable as I allow myself to be,” he shared.
Warner emphasized the importance of recognizing the diversity within the Black community, noting that society often treats it as a monolith.
He expressed, “The reality is there are so many different facets of the Black community, and we wanted to have a space where we can really explore, discuss, and acknowledge all of those different aspects”
