Malcolm-Jamal Warner Passes Away at 54: Tracee Ellis Ross, Viola Davis, Taraji P Henson Pay Tributes to The Cosby Show Star

Trigger Warning: This article contains references to an individual's death.

Hollywood is mourning the sudden death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died on Sunday, July 20, at the age of 54. Warner, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, reportedly drowned while on vacation with his family on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

According to Costa Rican officials, he was pulled into the ocean by a strong current near Cocles Beach in Limon. The official cause of death was ruled as asphyxia as reported by ABC News.

An outpouring of tributes from friends and colleagues

Tributes to Warner flooded social media on Monday, July 21. Many of his friends and co-stars remembered him as a talented, warm, and thoughtful person.

Tracee Ellis Ross, who played his wife in Reed Between the Lines, shared, "I love you, Malcolm. 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."

Jaleel White told Extra, “I grew up looking up to him. He was ahead of me in the game…Malcolm was the first former child actor that my mother even let me go out with late at night past 11 p.m.…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.”

Co-stars share personal memories

Eddie Griffin, who co-starred with Warner in Malcolm & Eddie, posted on Instagram, “My Big little Brother.”
Sherri Shepherd said, “He brought much laughter and gravitas playing my husband…To know Malcolm was to know a renaissance man that possessed humor, grace, humility and deep cultural appreciation.”

Viola Davis shared, “He was absolutely so familiar, and we rejoiced at how TV got it right!! But…Malcolm got it right…We will speak your name, always.” Taraji P. Henson added, “Malcolm, we grew up with you...Rest easy, king!!!! Your legacy lives far beyond the screen.”

Warner’s death shocked fans and fellow artists. Talib Kweli called him one of the most compassionate and beautiful people he has ever met. Director Peter Zachari said, “There’s something that cuts a little deeper when someone is the same age as you…To lose one feels like losing family.”

Magic Johnson also paid tribute, saying he would always remember their deep and fun conversations about basketball, life, and business. Morris Chestnut, who worked with Warner on The Resident, wrote, “He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene…Rest easy, brother.”

A career beyond The Cosby Show

Born on August 18, 1970, Warner was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He rose to fame in 1985 as Theo Huxtable and played the role for all eight seasons of The Cosby Show, earning an Emmy nomination for his performance.

After the show, he expanded his work in TV, music, and directing. He starred in Malcolm & Eddie, Reed Between the Lines, and made appearances in The Resident, Suits, and 9-1-1. He won a Grammy and received the NAACP Key of Life Image Award for his advocacy work.

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