Celebrities have gathered to mourn the loss of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
On Monday (July 21), reports surfaced that the former Cosby Show star died from asphyxia after accidentally drowning during a family trip in Costa Rica. The 54-year-old was swimming at a beach near the city of Limon, and his body was identified on Sunday (July 20). The late entertainer, musician and poet is survived by a wife and daughter.
Reacting to the tragic news were celebrities and political figures like singer Maxwell, comedian and television personality Loni Love, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, actor J. August Richards, and Bernice King, the youngest child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Malcolm-Jamal was a talented actor and an even better person. He made you feel valued and loved," Love wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I wish we had more time with this wonderful soul. Rest in peace."
J. August Richards recalled in an Instagram reel that his first acting role was on The Cosby Show when he was 14 years old. Although Richards called the show a “very scary environment,” he said Warner was “so wonderful” towards him and shared encouragement the actor gave him years later.
Tracey Ellis Ross also mourned her former co-star, writing, “I love you, Malcolm. 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.”
Niecy Nash also wrote a touching tribute to the actor, revealing they spoke shortly before his death. “You were cornerstone of The Cosby Show. We all loved Theo! Never to be forgotten. You will be missed. Rest Easy,” she wrote.
The Roots’ Questlove wrote a heartfelt post touching on the importance of Warner as representation, saying, “If you looked like me coming of age in the 80s, Malcolm-as-Theo was a gps/lighthouse of navigating safety to adulthood.”
Bill Cosby, the disgraced television star, also reacted to the news. In a statement made to Complex via his representative, Cosby said he is “devastated and it’s a sad day.”
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the Happy Gilmore 2 premiere—just after news of the actor's death broke—legendary comedian Adam Sandler mourned the loss of Warner.
"Malcolm was a true great person," he told the outlet. "A hilarious, smart kid and he meant a lot to America."