Hollywood is mourning The Cosby Show actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died on Sunday, July 20, at age 54.
News of Warner’s death stunned and devastated his friends and colleagues, many of whom shared tributes to the late star via social media on Monday, July 21. Tracee Ellis Ross, who starred on the BET series Reed Between the Lines, remembered her TV husband as “warm” and “gentle” in a moving post shared via social media.
Ross wasn’t the only person who wanted to memorialize Warner. Several stars, including Viola Davis, Eddie Griffin and Taraji P. Henson also offered their thoughts and condolences to Warner’s family. The actor is survived by his wife, whose name he did not reveal publicly, and their daughter.
Read on to see what Warner’s friends and colleagues have said about him.
Jaleel White
“Malcolm and I were industry peers,” White told Extra on July 21. “I mean, really, I can’t even say that. Like, I grew up looking up to him. He was ahead of me in the game. I’m kind of waiting for more details to come out because it was just very disturbing report just accidentally this… you kind of caught me at a loss for words.”
While “reflecting” on his “own memories,” the Family Matters star shared, “Malcolm was the first former child actor that my mother even let me go out with late at night past 11 p.m. and I had a very close relationship with both him and Michelle Thomas. May they both rest in peace.”
He added, “So please remember him as a poet, a Grammy award-winning musician, and an actor who did a lot more than just star on a sitcom when he was a kid.”
Tracee Ellis Ross
“I love you, Malcolm,” Ross wrote on social media. “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. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”
Eddie Griffin
Griffin, who starred in Malcolm & Eddie with Warner from 1996 to 2000, posted a photo of Warner via Instagram and wrote, “My Big little Brother 🙏🏾♥️🙏🏾.”
Sherri Shepherd
“I’m completely devastated over the passing of my friend Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” Shepherd said in a statement shared with Us Weekly. “He brought much laughter and gravitas playing my husband on my self-titled sitcom. He also made two appearances on my talk show Sherri, most recently in April to promote his series Alert: Missing Persons Unit. 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. He was just a good guy! His passing is a true loss to the Hollywood community. He was a proud girl dad and loved his daughter so much. To his family, friends and all who loved him—my heart is with you.”
Viola Davis
“I actually am speechless!!!!! No words! Theo was OUR son, OUR brother, OUR friend…” Davis shared via Instagram. “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. 💔🕊🙏🏿.”
Taraji P. Henson
“This one hurt,” Henson shared via Instagram. “Malcolm, we grew up with you. Thank you for the art, the wisdom, the grace you gave us!!!!! You left the world better than you found it. Rest easy, king!!!! Your legacy lives far beyond the screen. 🕊️🖤.”
Lisa Lisa
“Sending prayers and condolences to the family friends and colleagues,” Lisa Lisa captioned a photo of Warner on Instagram. “We are all hurting. Rest in Peace King.”
Talib Kweli
“Beyond his iconic acting roles, Malcolm-Jamal Warner was one of the most compassionate and beautiful people I’ve ever met,” Kweli shared via BlueSky. “This is a huge loss. Rest in peace friend. Rest in power brother.”
Isaiah Washington
Washington shared a photo of Warner set to the song “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke and wrote simply, “RIP Malcolm Jamal Warner.”
Morris Chestnut
“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” wrote Chestnut via Instagram. “Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor. He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on.”
J. Elvis Weinstein
“RIP Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” wrote producer Weinstein via BlueSky. My first sitcom job was as a writer/producer on Malcolm and Eddie. He was a pleasure to be around.”
Peter Zachari
Director and actor Peter Zachari said via Instagram that Warner’s death was a “gut punch.” He continued, “So sad to lose Malcolm-Jamal Warner. There’s something that cuts a little deeper when someone is the same age as you. We were watching kids the same as us growing up on TV, entertaining and educating us. To lose one feels like losing family. Here is is playing comedy so smoothly, trying to avoid his father seeing his newly pierced ear. ❤️ 🕊️ 🙏.”
Wilson Morales
Morales, the longtime editor of BlackFilmandTV.com, wrote via Instagram, “No fake shirt has ever been more famous than when Theo had that Gordon Gartrell shirt on The Cosby Show. RIP #malcolmjamalwarner.”
Gene Moore
“Thank you @malcolmjamalwar for touching our hearts through our television screens,” wrote singer Gene Moore via Instagram. “I didn’t know him personally, but most, if not all of us grew up on The Cosby Show and can feel the sting of his untimely passing. Sending prayers and condolences to his family. R.I.P.”
Guy Gilchrist
Cartoonist Gilchrist also remembered Warner on Instagram. “What a tragic loss for his family and for all of us,” he wrote Monday. “In 1986, he appeared on the cover of Muppet Magazine issue 13 with Cosby Show co-stars Lisa Bonet, Tempestt Bledsoe and Keisha Knight Pulliam. The ‘Cosby Kids’ would later appear in segments on Sesame Street.”
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