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Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Magic Johnson and more react to death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Magic Johnson and more react to death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner

The death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner at just 54 was mourned by fans and admirers of the actor, who played the only son of Bill Cosby's Cliff Huxtable on the landmark series 'The Cosby Show' from 1984 to 1992 and also starred on the UPN sitcom 'Malcolm & Eddie' with Eddie Griffin.
Warner died Sunday in an accidental drowning at a Costa Rica beach, authorities there said Monday.
Actor Tracee Ellis Ross, who later played Warner's wife in the BET sitcom 'Reed Between the Lines,' wrote that her 'heart is so, so sad.' Magic Johnson said, 'Every time I ran into Malcolm, we would have deep and fun conversations about basketball, life and business.' Jennifer Hudson says she is 'truly heartbroken' and Marlee Matlin called him 'the nicest guy.'
Some reactions from fans and peers:
Tracee Ellis Ross
'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. — via Instagram
Eddie Griffin
Jennifer Hudson
'Devastated by this news. Truly heartbroken! Rest well, king.' — on X
Magic Johnson
'Cookie and I are sad to hear about the passing of our dear friend Malcolm-Jamal Warner. We were both super fans of the hit 'Cosby Show' and continued to follow his career on shows like 'Malcolm and Eddie' and 'The Resident.' Every time I ran into Malcolm, we would have deep and fun conversations about basketball, life and business. He will truly be missed. — on X
Marlee Matlin
'I am so sad to read of the untimely passing of Malcolm Jamal Warner. He was the nicest guy and it was a privilege to have been in same company with him, sharing a directors' panel along with Howard Gordon and Michael Chiklis. My heart goes out to his family and friends. — on X.
NAACP
" #RestinPower to NAACP Image Award winning actor, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Your talent and spirit touched many lives, and your legacy will continue to inspire. Thank you for the memories and the impact you made in the world of entertainment. — on X
Fox
'Everyone at Fox is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, the extraordinary Malcolm-Jamal Warner. While his iconic roles — from comedic to dramatic — are unforgettable and timeless, Malcolm will be remembered most for his warmth, kind heart and the lasting impact he had on his friends, family and fans everywhere. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones.' — in a statement
The Martin Luther King Jr. Center
'Malcolm was a brilliant, multi-faceted artist and an inspiring giver. We are grateful for his love for #TheKingCenter and the King legacy. And for the ways he showed his support, including as co-host of our 2023 Beloved Community Awards... Our thoughts and prayers are with Malcolm's family during this very difficult time.' — on X
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Malcolm-Jamal Warner's cause of death confirmed, second man fully recovered
Malcolm-Jamal Warner's cause of death confirmed, second man fully recovered

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Malcolm-Jamal Warner's cause of death confirmed, second man fully recovered

Malcolm-Jamal Warner's official cause of death has been confirmed. "The Cosby Show" star died from an accidental drowning, Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department confirmed to USA TODAY on July 24. A second adult man, who was involved in the same incident as Warner, and reportedly attempted to save him, was transported to a Costa Rican clinic in critical condition on Sunday, July 20, the Costa Rican Red Cross confirmed to USA TODAY on July 22. The man, a 29-year-old native of Nicaragua, made a full recovery and was released from the hospital, People and the Los Angeles Times report. Warner was rescued by bystanders and taken to shore, where he received treatment from the Costa Rican Red Cross, per the agency, but he was declared dead at the scene. He was then transported to the morgue for an autopsy. Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who starred as Theo on 'Cosby Show,' dies in drowning at 54 The beach in Costa Rica where the men were found, is known for strong rip currents and a sometimes dangerous surf, The New York Times reported. On the day of the drowning, it was also unprotected by lifeguards. In addition to eight seasons on the hit NBC sitcom as Theo, son of Bill Cosby's Cliff Huxtable and Phylicia Rashad's Clair Huxtable, Warner was also known for his role as Malcolm McGee in the 1990s UPN sitcom "Malcolm & Eddie" and as Dr. AJ Austin on the Fox medical drama "The Resident" from 2018 to 2023. In the 2010s, Warner had notable recurring roles on the NBC comedy "Community," playing the ex of Yvette Nicole Brown's Shirley Bennett. He also portrayed the character Sticky, the vice president of motorcycle club The Grim Bastards, on FX's "Sons of Anarchy." Malcolm-Jamal Warner's notable shows and movies, from 'The Cosby Show' to 'The Resident' News of his death prompted an outpouring of love from former co-stars, with Cosby himself calling him "a great studier," and fellow "9-1-1" star Jennifer Love Hewitt, calling him "a gentleman" and "incredible talent." Tracee Ellis Ross also reflected on working with Warner on the BET sitcom "Reed Between the Lines," writing: "My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant." Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Bryan Alexander This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death confirmed as drowning in Costa Rica

This week, we remember a few icons and visit our happy place with ‘Happy Gilmore 2'
This week, we remember a few icons and visit our happy place with ‘Happy Gilmore 2'

Los Angeles Times

time10 hours ago

  • Los Angeles Times

This week, we remember a few icons and visit our happy place with ‘Happy Gilmore 2'

Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who is feeling nostalgic after several celebrity deaths. Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Ozzy Osbourne, Chuck Mangione and Hulk Hogan died this week, and if you were alive in the '80s, you're familiar with how each shaped music, television and pop culture. Warner is best remembered for playing Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable on 'The Cosby Show.' As the 'engaging, fun-loving teen who also got into a variety of scrapes in the Huxtable household,' Theo was a highlight of Warner's career, earning him an Emmy nomination in 1986, Times senior writer Greg Braxton wrote in an assessment of the actor's career. As for Osbourne, depending on the generation you grew up in, he was either one of your favorite heavy metal vocalists or one of your favorite TV dads (perhaps both). Beginning in 2002, the Prince of Darkness starred in MTV's 'The Osbournes,' a reality show that featured his family — wife Sharon, daughter Kelly and son Jack — and their everyday antics. It pioneered the celebrity reality TV genre, and Osbourne broke the TV dad mold by showing us that you can curse at your family with love. Meanwhile, Mangione, the prolific jazz musician, also left his mark on television after his hit song 'Feels So Good' became a running gag on the animated series 'King of the Hill' — he even lent his voice to the show for several episodes. (The revived series will return in August.) Then there's Hogan, who will be remembered both as a self-made celebrity and controversial figure. He helped lift professional wrestling to an entertainment juggernaut with 'Hulkamania,' but his use of a racial slur led to WWE terminating its 30-year association with him (though he was reinstated to their hall of fame in 2018). Later, like Osbourne, he would get his own reality show, VH1's 'Hogan Knows Best,' but it was canceled after a series of personal events, including Hogan's divorce and a car crash involving his son. It all might leave you feeling a bit wistful and wanting to watch clips of their memorable moments. But if you want to experience some nostalgia and go to a happy place, a comedic cultural touchstone has returned. In this week's Screen Gab, director Kyle Newacheck drops by to discuss Netflix's 'Happy Gilmore 2,' the sequel to the original comedy film that was nearly 30 years in the making. Must-read stories you might have missed Commentary: 'South Park' season opener puts Trump in bed with Satan and has Paramount on its knees: Comedy Central's animated series couldn't have returned at a better time. The season-opening episode is brutal in its treatment of Paramount, CBS and President Trump. 'Happy Gilmore' is back for another round, as are Adam Sandler and his longtime collaborator: Tim Herlihy has had a lasting and prolific creative partnership with Adam Sandler, the star of Netflix's 'Happy Gilmore 2,' which he co-wrote with the actor. 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The film also nods to the iconic actors from the original who are no longer with us, including Carl Weathers, Joe Flaherty and Richard Kiel. Here, the director talks about what it is like joining the project and working with Sandler and other members of the cast. 'Happy Gilmore' is a comedic cornerstone from the '90s. Do you remember the first time you watched it? What was it like to come on board for the sequel? I was 12 years old in 1996 when the movie came out, so I think the visuals are imprinted on the back walls of my brain. It was one of the first movies where I realized that movies didn't just 'appear' — somehow people are making these funny movies. After I watched the film, I picked up my grandfather's video camera in 1997 and began shooting funny videos with my friends. 'Happy Gilmore' was a movie that made all of my friends laugh. I remember everyone from my school constantly quoting lines and laughing together. 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'80s icons like Hulk Hogan are dying. Why it's affecting us so much
'80s icons like Hulk Hogan are dying. Why it's affecting us so much

USA Today

time10 hours ago

  • USA Today

'80s icons like Hulk Hogan are dying. Why it's affecting us so much

It was supposed to be the decade that never ended. But with the back-to-back-to-back deaths of 1980s icons Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan, it feels like Generation X is bidding a final farewell to the Decade of Decadence. The losses are feeling particularly heavy for many people because these icons were products of 'the pop culture decade … a decade unlike any other,' said Chris Clews, keynote speaker, author and '80s pop culture expert. The decade was marked by experimentation, innovation and an openness that made it possible for legendary artists to create entertainment that continues to influence pop culture today, he said. The decade was a 'glitter bomb' of 'awesome insanity' and 'larger-than-life characters.' 'They were able to flourish in that decade because there was just this incredible creativity that was happening and people were being who they really wanted to be almost for the first time,' said Clews, who wrote 'Raised on the '80s: 30+ Unexpected Life Lessons from the Movies and Music That Defined Pop Culture's Most Excellent Decade).' Grief is different for everyone, and experts say mourning someone you didn't personally know − a phenomenon called collective or public grief − is a complicated, yet valid, experience. "Collective and public grief, as I call it, is always unique in how we attach," David Kessler, grief expert and founder of previously told USA TODAY. This form of grief can be further compounded when hearing unexpected news of the death of a beloved public figure. It can feel unexpected because we tend to remember people as they were in their prime and compartmentalize them that way in our minds, Clews said. To him, Hogan will always be 'hulking up' during "Saturday Night's Main Event," and Osbourne will always be performing alongside the late, great guitarist Randy Rhoads. 'We think they're never going to die because we don't recognize they're aging,' he said. 'They were in their 20s and 30s and we kind of get stuck with thinking they're always going to be that age.' Suzanne Somers: Why it's OK to grieve as a fan It's also how we tend to think about ourselves, Clews added. As he mourns for these pop culture icons, he also mourns his youth. 'With somebody like Hulk Hogan or Malcolm-Jamal Warner or Ozzy, I immediately go back to a moment in my youth where I remember seeing them or hearing them for the first time,' he said. 'And it suddenly makes me realize that was a long time ago.' The '80s are having a rough week, Clews said. But he encourages his fellow Gen Xers to take advantage of modern streaming services and revisit some of their favorite movies or music from the decade. 'Be thankful you were here to see them and appreciate the people that have the incredible talent to inspire you, to entertain you and to bring you joy at times when you really need it because all three of them (Warner, Osbourne and Hogan) have done just that,' he said. Adrianna Rodriguez is a Millennial (sadly) who can be reached at adrodriguez@

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