logo
Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Heartfelt Celebrity Tributes & A Look Back Through The Years

Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Heartfelt Celebrity Tributes & A Look Back Through The Years

Source: Michael Buckner / Getty
Celebrity tributes are pouring in following the devastating news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner's passing. The actor—who made history as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show —reportedly drowned off the coast of Costa Rica while on vacation on Sunday, July 20. He was 54.
Warner wasn't just a TV icon—he was family to a generation of Black viewers. Whether you crushed on Theo's teenage charm or discovered Warner later through his other TV and film roles, you felt his presence.
The news has sent shockwaves through the culture. Black Hollywood is in shock – and collective mourning. Social media has lit up with photos, clips, and touching words from celebrities and fans alike. Celebrities Mourn Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Niecy Nash shared her heartbreak on Instagram:
'My God 💔 we just spoke. You were giving me my flowers for my work in @grotesqueriefx and we talked about how happy we both were in our marriages. Damn friend 🥲 You were a cornerstone of The Cosby Show . We all loved Theo! Never to be forgotten. You will be missed . Rest Easy 🕊️ @malcolmjamalwar 🙏🏾'
Tracee Ellis Ross remembered him not only as a cultural icon, but as a colleague and friend from their days on Reed Between the Lines :
'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.'
Tracee also posted a nostalgic photo carousel, including their Upscale magazine cover , capturing their undeniable on-screen chemistry.
Jennifer Hudson wrote simply and powerfully:
'Devastated by this news. Truly heartbroken! Rest well, king.'
Beyoncé honored Warner on her website with a powerful message:
'Rest in power Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed .'
Beyoncé updated her website with a tribute to Malcolm-Jamal Warner who passed away today. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/8b0mt48tqr
— Beyoncé News (@BeyonceHiveNews) July 21, 2025
And in a moving tribute, Viola Davis summed up what so many are feeling:
'Theo was OUR son, OUR brother, OUR friend… 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. We will speak your name — always. 💔🕊🙏🏿'
For so many of us, Warner wasn't just 'Theo'—he was the big brother we wanted, the class clown who was also wise, the reminder that Black boys could be layered and lovable on TV. He gave 80s babies a glimpse of themselves. And he did it with charm, wit, and a mesmerizing smile.
Source: Cheryl Chenet / Getty
He matured alongside us, taking on new roles that kept him connected to the culture—from sitcoms to dramas to poetic spoken-word performances. Even when he wasn't on screen, he was behind the scenes making moves.
In honor of the late actor, we've curated a gallery that captures his essence—from the early Cosby Show years to his recent red carpet moments. Scroll through to remember the swag, the smile, and the star power that made Malcolm-Jamal Warner unforgettable.
Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Heartfelt Celebrity Tributes & A Look Back Through The Years was originally published on hellobeautiful.com Source:Getty
Malcolm-Jamal Warner continued acting exposing new audiences to his charm and skills on camera. Here is pictured on set of Fox's 'Alert: Missing Persons Unit' Season 3 taped in 2025. Source:Getty
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was one of several Black Hollywood celebs gracing the 65th GRAMMY Awards red carpet. He brought a relaxed yet tailored look to the glitz and glam affair. Source:Getty
Malcolm Jamal-Warner attended the 2019 Fox Upfront in New York City looking debonair. He was there with other TV stars to talk to media and fans, further showing his continued impact on television. Source:Getty
Tracee Ellis Ross remembered Malcolm-Jamal Warner fondly on social media. Her touching tribute talked about their time a TV husband and wife together and the friendship they shared. Here they are all smiles at the BBC America BAFTA Los Angeles TV Tea Party in 2017. Source:Getty
Erykah Badu poses with Malcolm-Jamal Warner at the 2015 Soul Train Music Awards. Erykah served as a host for that year. Malcolm-Jamal, is that velvet? We love it! Source:Getty
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was known for his contributions to younger generations, communities, and causes. He takes a moment to smile for cameras while taking part in the benefit reading of '110 Stories' on February 22, 2010 in Westwood, California. Source:Getty
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was a regular to Hollywood A-list events, especially those centered around television and the big screen. Here he arrived at the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards TV Guide after party in a black jacket and pink button-down. But get into his locs. True fans remember his loc era – fondly. Source:Getty
Malcolm-Jamal Warner attends the Mann Festival Theater in Los Angeles, California, on April 19, 1995. See his boyish charm, his relaxed style, and his stunning smile. Source:Getty
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was the epitome of relaxed hip hop style back in the day. See his layered look at the Distinguished Gentleman premiere in 1992 in NYC. Source:Getty
Malcolm-Jamal Warner loved to perform. From music to spoken word to acting and more, he did it all. In March 1988, Malcolm-Jamal Warner did a joint theatre performance with fellow actor Blair Underwood in Chicago.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Doctor who tried saving ‘The Cosby Show' actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner speaks out for the first time
Doctor who tried saving ‘The Cosby Show' actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner speaks out for the first time

New York Post

time20 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Doctor who tried saving ‘The Cosby Show' actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner speaks out for the first time

A doctor who was one of the bystanders who pulled Malcolm-Jamal Warner out of the water at Playa Cocles in Costa Rica recalled that the 'sea was rough' as he broke his silence over the 'The Cosby Show' star's tragic death. After Warner's accidental drowning, Playa Grande lifeguards confirmed they were 'not present' on the beach at the time of the incident due to a lack of 'resources.' 'I was about 200 meters from the incident, at Playa Grande, spending the day on vacation with my partner,' the doctor told Us Weekly, asking the outlet not to be named. Advertisement 4 A doctor who was one of the bystanders who pulled Malcolm-Jamal Warner out of the water at Playa Cocles in Costa Rica has spoken out for the first time. Simon Dannhauer – 'There were very few people on the beach, and the sea was rough.' After he heard some commotion and several cries for help, the doctor quickly rushed over to see the chaotic scene that unfolded in front of him. Advertisement 'I ran to the area and entered the sea with my surfboard, heading into the rip current toward the person being pointed at by some beachgoers,' he told the outlet. 'After a few minutes, I saw a shadow, dove down and pulled the person out.' Once the doctor managed to get to the shore, he noticed another bystander — who had helped rescue the actor — lying on the sand whilst struggling to catch his breath. 4 'The Cosby Show' star died at age 54 following an apparent drowning. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP '[He was] just someone who tried to help during the emergency, without any rescue equipment,' the doctor added. Advertisement Following Warner's accidental drowning, lifeguards explained that Playa Grande is well known by 'local surfers' and is one of their 'most challenging beaches.' 'We deeply regret the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner at Playa Grande. He was swept away by a strong rip current and died by drowning,' Costa Rica's volunteer lifeguard association, Caribbean Guard, wrote on Facebook Monday. 4 Warner drowned while swimming near Cocles after allegedly being caught by a high current. malcolmjamalwar/Instagram 'It all happened very quickly, and although there were people on the beach who entered the water to rescue him, they did not arrive in time. He was pulled from underwater without vital signs, and despite CPR maneuvers being performed on the beach, resuscitation was unsuccessful.' Advertisement The statement added that there are signs placed along the beach in both Spanish and English 'warning of the danger of death due to drowning.' While lifeguards had previously patrolled the area 'over the past few years,' they were not present at the time of Warner's death. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters 'Due to recent aquatic incidents in Playa Negra, we had redirected resources there and to Chiquita, another iconic beach known for its strong currents,' the statement added. Warner drowned while swimming near Cocles after allegedly being caught by a high current on Sunday, between 2 and 2:30 p.m. local time. He was 54 years old. Costa Rica's national police told The Post that Warner was pulled from the water by people in the area and taken to shore, where they desperately attempted to save his life. 4 Warner was propelled to fame after landing the role of Theo Huxtable, the son of Bill Cosby's Cliff Huxtable, in 'The Cosby Show' from 1984 to 1992. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Advertisement The actor's body was taken to a morgue in San Joaquín de Flores for an autopsy. His cause of death is listed as asphyxiation by 'submersion,' according to officials. A second person who was caught in the same rip current that drowned the actor remains in a critical condition.

Women are anonymously spilling tea about men in their cities on viral app
Women are anonymously spilling tea about men in their cities on viral app

NBC News

time22 minutes ago

  • NBC News

Women are anonymously spilling tea about men in their cities on viral app

When Cid Walker opens the Tea app, she's greeted by a barrage of posts about men and their apparent "red" and "green" "flags." 'He's a cheater,' Walker said, reading some of the comments on one post out loud. "What clubs does he go to?" another person asked on a different post. "He's cute." The app, which appears to have been advertising itself online since at least last fall, allows users to solicit feedback about specific men they're dating. Walker, 22, is among the 4 million users on the women-only safety app, which this week became the No. 1 free app in the Apple App Store. It picked up viral traction in the last month after some people began talking about it online on Reddit and TikTok. The app gained more than 900,000 new signups in the last few days, Tea said on social media. Getting off the waitlist can now take days, an inconvenience many new users complained about in comments on the app's Instagram posts. Upon opening Tea, users are presented with local men whose photos have been uploaded, along with their first names. For each of the men, other women on the app can report whether they deem him a 'red flag' or a 'green flag' and leave comments about him, such as those recounting negative date experiences or vouching for him as a friend. 'I've seen so many people I know on the app, it's crazy,' said Walker, a Cleveland-area user who joined the app last week after having seen multiple viral posts about it. 'Like, oh my God, I would never think all this stuff about them.' App users can look up individual names in the search bar or create custom alerts for specific men. The app also offers functions that let users run background checks, search for criminal histories and reverse-search photos to check whether a man is catfishing by using someone else's photos on his dating profile. The woman-only app was created by a man, Sean Cook, who said on Tea's website that he was inspired after he watched his mother's 'terrifying experience with online dating,' including being catfished and unknowingly dating men with criminal records. Cook's profile on LinkedIn lists him as the founder of Tea since 2022. The description under his role says, 'Tea was self-funded by Sean.' Cook did not respond to a request for comment. A representative for Tea said the app isn't offering interviews at this time. Tea's mission mirrors similar efforts that have gained popularity in other online forums, such as 'Are We Dating The Same Guy?,' a Facebook community with millions of members across the country in localized offshoots. While the communities have stated that their mission is to keep women safe, they have also faced backlash from men online who say they fear being misrepresented or doxxed on the platforms. The Facebook groups, which advertise themselves as spaces for women to warn other women about 'liars, cheaters, abusers, or anyone who exhibits any type of toxic or dangerous behavior,' have for years been criticized online for devolving into places for gossip or for spreading possible misinformation about people. Last year, judges dismissed two defamation lawsuits filed in Illinois and California by men who were posted in the groups. With Tea, some men have posted in forums asking for others to report the app in hope of getting it shut down, and others have expressed interest in a men-only equivalent on which they could discuss and mock women. One app has already tried to offer that. The Teaborn app climbed to No. 3 in the free apps chart Wednesday before it disappeared from the App Store. Shortly ahead of its removal, the app had rolled out an update with 'enhanced content moderation and reporting tools' after its creator condemned users for allegedly sharing revenge porn on the platform. Teaborn told NBC News in a social media statement: 'Apple just removed us yesterday because Tea app doesn't like competition, but we are working to go back with a new brand!' Apple didn't respond to a request for comment. Despite finding apps like Tea entertaining, users like Walker have expressed discomfort with the idea of allowing so many people to anonymously speak negatively about others online. Signing up for Tea requires users to take selfies, which the app says are deleted after review, to prove they are women. All users who get accepted are anonymous outside of the usernames they choose. Screenshots are also blocked. On its website, Tea describes itself as 'more than an app; it's a sisterhood.' The app claims it donates 10% of its profits to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. A spokesperson for the hotline didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. 'Together, we're redefining modern dating,' the app says. Walker said that she has noticed many users focus more on gossip than real safety concerns but that she believes some people have found Tea useful for exposing serious issues like abuse. 'I feel like if people were to use the app how it's supposed to be used, this could actually save a lot of women from being hurt or harmed,' Walker said. 'But at this point, I think it's like a joke to everybody and just like cyberbullying.'

From hustle to luxury: Boity Thulo reflects on 13-year journey
From hustle to luxury: Boity Thulo reflects on 13-year journey

News24

time22 minutes ago

  • News24

From hustle to luxury: Boity Thulo reflects on 13-year journey

Lubabalo Lesolle This article was previously published in the print edition of Drum Soft Life. There are multihyphenates – and then there's her. She's a media personality, rapper, businesswoman and an all-around inspiration for young women who are still trying to break into the business. She has worked hard for every job, often coming in as an underdog who was underestimated, and she has shown she can always. After spending her 20s grinding, she's now living her best life. If you ask her, she'll tell you she's living in all her eras. Her soft-girl era, her confidence era, her Jesus year. Wuz Dat? It's Boitumelo Thulo, known to her 6,2 million Instagram, 3,9 Twitter (or X) and countless Facebook followers simply as Boity. She's been working for 13 years and counting. Her first job? A Wimpy advert, and she's been in the spotlight since then. 'I deserve my Gucci bags,' she says with pride as we talk about her many accomplishments. Living soft is not all about money, though, she's quick to add, as that can put a lot of pressure on young girls. She might be driving a luxurious car, living in a beautiful estate and having the pleasure of travelling whenever she wants, but she's worked hard for it all. And she's proud of that. 'Young girls should not rush into wanting to be at their best during their 20s. That time is going to come; they have so much to look forward to. Trust me, there is no rush. You don't need a Gucci bag at 21, especially now with social media and young kids wanting the best things now. I worked 13 years for this.' 'At 21, I was worried about where I would get my next gig, how I would pay my rent, I needed an apartment, and I needed to look cool enough to have a car. Even though my career made it seem as though I already had those things, the truth is I didn't. It wasn't moving as fast as it looked to the people at home.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boity Thulo (@boity) She worked on YoTV's Crib Notes, Club 808 and has been part of productions such as Rockville, among many others. Being in the limelight made her mature a lot faster than she would have otherwise, she says. She felt like she needed to have the success of a person far beyond her years. 'I couldn't be seen partying too much and making mistakes even though that's what people my age were doing.' She saved up money from her small gigs so that she could be independent. She got her first small apartment in Bryanston and worked hard to get her first car, Angelique, a Citroën. She was figuring life out, as one should at that age. She wanted to be successful and still maintain being Boitumelo at her core. 'I remained the girl who dresses at Mr Price and Legit when I knew that some of my peers were wearing Michael Kors. I tried to be as grounded as possible so that I didn't lose myself in fame.' She hasn't lost herself in the fame. Boity is speaking to us via a Zoom call from her Johannesburg home. With a light glam face beat and her braided hair tied away from her face, she puts everything on the table. Her confidence is clear and shines through the screen. Throughout her career, she has had to grow a thick skin, as people who watched her transition in life had opinions about her life, her appearance, as well as her success; they weren't afraid to share. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boity Thulo (@boity) Now that she is older, she's come to understand that not every opinion needs her reaction, which has been good for her mental health. 'Some people would say I don't belong on screen, I sound terrible, my presenting is bad. I had to ignore all of that and do it regardless of what people said. It takes family, friendships and support to help you through it. I had to learn self-belief and patience. Having been in the industry for this long, I had to be patient.' And the patience has paid off. She has won an award as a media personality, was listed as part of Forbes Africa's 30 under 30, and she keeps adding accolades to her name. 'At the very beginning of my career, I was known as the underdog. It took a lot of patience, self-belief, and I spent time trying to shut down the self-sabotage. It took a long time to step into myself and be confident of the fact that I am that girl. It hasn't been an easy journey.' There were many moments where she questioned whether she should be in the entertainment industry, but her passion and talent kept her going when she felt like giving up. 'Earlier on in my career, I received so many no's as opposed to yeses that I started doubting myself. There have been moments where it was fruitless; it's not what people think it is. People think the moment you're in, you are swimming in money, and of course, it's made to look that way, but it is far from it. 'My 20s went by so fast because of being a public figure. I used to ask God, Why not me? Why is it taking so long? I am receiving all those things now, and I think it's because I am mentally more mature. I am more spiritually aligned now to receive the accolades I assumed I should've had five years ago.' Boity calls 33 her 'Jesus year' [the age by which Jesus had accomplished his most important work]. The year of ease and abundance, where she no longer has to prove anything to herself, as she has paid her dues for more than a decade to be where she is. 'I'm at my best age. I feel amazing. It's my peak year, I feel confident, and I am in my bag.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store