Learning that Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who we all watched grow up on “The Cosby Show” as Theo Huxtable, drowned in a tragic incident with his family while on vacation in Costa Rica left me stunned.
His television family helped other Black families feel seen and proud, and his performances on the groundbreaking NBC sitcom for eight years gave the world a successful Black platform of people who were prosperous, led by doctor and lawyer parents who were both strong and funny while raising their children to be the best people they could be.
In the Theo Huxtable role, Warner had a sweetness, a charm, an innocence that you don’t normally see attributed to young Black men. It is so sad to know that at 54 years old; he has abruptly been taken away from the world.
Woodie King Jr., founder of New Federal Theatre shared, “That’s sad, I’m shocked. I think Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad did so much and gave a new image for Black people and Malcolm-Jamal Warner was integral to that.”
Ralph Carter, child star of “Good Times” who played Michael Evans and knew Warner well, shared, “I’ve known Malcolm-Jamal Warner for 30 years. His mother was his rock, she looked out for him and helped him make wise choices. I remember when they used to tape ‘The Cosby Show’ on set and I went to see it when Stevie Wonder was on the set. Malcolm and I had a ton of mad respect for each other. I liked his evolution as an actor. He went from the wonders of comedy and fun, but he turned into a really serious actor. His dramatic acting for me was excellent. I really loved the way his mother protected him from this type of industry. It hasn’t been an hour since I heard the news, but I’m still in shock. In ‘The Cosby Show’ he was an excellent inspiration for young Black men, middle class, upper class, you name it. ‘The Cosby Show’ was well received in this country. I always felt that Malcolm-Jamal was a very grounded young man.”
RELATED: Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Beloved ‘Cosby Show’ Star Dies at 54
Jackie Jeffries, president of AUDELCO, was shaken as she responded, “I just heard it seconds ago, I’m stunned. Two weeks ago they had a feed on yahoo.com news about people who died that worked on ‘The Cosby Show.’It’s horrific. It’s so bad I can’t believe it. I was binging ‘The Resident’ recently. His politics were all correct, the way he did so many things for our people. To think of him as an ancestor, I’m stunned. It meant so much to have a young Black man on ‘The Cosby Show’, who grew up and went to college.
“It was great to have a young Black male [that wasn’t] villainized. Shows like ‘The Cosby Show’ lead to a lot more Black people seeing college in their future. In ‘The Resident’ he went on to play a doctor,” Jeffries continued. “When you think about it, you only saw him playing in positive, male roles, he was a role model. I have a lot of respect for him for that. He always showed up positive on TV, something that our young men and women can look up to. I’m so sorry he’s gone, this is really a sad moment. Good bless his family. Malcolm-Jamal used to host the Midnight Poetry Slam at the National Black Theatre Festival and people were lined up to get in and he did it for years staying connected to his culture. He always had a moral standard that honored us as a people.”
Actress Holly Robinson Peete shared the following in a social media post: “I’m struggling to process this. Malcolm was so deeply loved, respected, and a true icon of television. We first met in the ‘80s on the set of The Cosby Show when my dad was a writer/producer and remained friends throughout the years. He was always gracious, kind, funny and gave the absolute best hugs . I am sending my deepest condolences to his mom, Pamela, and his family. We weren’t ready to say goodbye, Malcolm — but you lived with purpose, character, presence, and peace. Rest well my friend. Your light lives on.”
Additional reporting by Flo Anthony
Malcolm was a beloved and very talented young actor. My heart weeps for his loss.
Having lived in Costa Rica, my second home, it will surely be impossible to recall it as a place I loved without also remembering dear Malcolm. May his family receive my deepest condolences and prayers of comfort.
My Prayers goes out to his family and love one may God be with in your time of sorrow he was a light in this world that will continue to shine RIP
My brother .
” In the Theo Huxtable role, Warner had a sweetness, a charm, an innocence that you don’t normally see attributed to young Black men.” Yes, that’s true , but to give in to that and other racist stereotypes means you have been defeated by the ” Slave Masters ” the White People who continue to oppress and disrespect us everyday. The fact that the Cosby Show meant so much to us is simply an affect of that. I cringe when I see the young and the not so young wearing shirts celebrating Tupac while Dick Gregory, or Malcolm get ignored. I’m sorry this actor died in an accident, but I’m leary of people overstating his importance while our Community increasingly toasts those who have wealth, or have contributed to no one, but themselves.
By Malcolm, I meant Malcolm X of course.
I want to send my condolences to his mother, his wife, and his daughter, and I feel like the rest of the WORLD, this is really a loss, I am so sorry for your loss, Malcolm RIP, you will be missed and you truly are an ICON, the outpouring of love from all your fans and your fellow actors again RIP.
I remember the first time I watched this show and thought what a concept. A lot has gone into this show and then every episode they became more and more interesting to American audiences. They are great actors, however Malcolm carried himself so well, brought everything with him to make his character real and challenging. And beyond that everything he did in his poetry, shows and podcasts he was himself. My kids grew up with The Cosby kids, and we send are condolences to his mother and his wife and children.