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Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo on 'The Cosby Show'
Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo on 'The Cosby Show'

NBC News

time22-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • NBC News

Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo on 'The Cosby Show'

For Black youth and teens growing up in the mid-1980s, "The Cosby Show" offered something rarely seen on television up until that time: a sitcom that placed characters who looked like them in a positive light. And Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Theo Huxtable was the character Generation X most related to. Fans took quickly to social media on Monday as news of Warner's accidental drowning in Costa Rica spread. "It's like losing one of us," said Harriet Cammock, a 58-year-old Detroit author and speaker. "This is the thing with television. When you're watching people every week on television, you think you know them and you're related to them." Warner was swimming Sunday afternoon at Playa Cocles in Costa Rica's Limon province when a current pulled him deeper into the Caribbean, according to that country's Judicial Investigation Department. First responders found him without vital signs. Cori Murray, executive vice president of content at Ebony Magazine, was saddened upon hearing about Warner's death. She said his Theo character mirrored the everyday Black teenager, which was rare to see on TV at the time. While so many portrayals of young Black teenagers leaned negative, "The Cosby Show," especially Theo, showed warmth, joy and relatability. "He wasn't just a character. We saw ourselves in him," Murray said. "You know how Kendrick Lamar has the song 'Not Like Us'? Well, Theo was one of us. He was like us." Murray, who met Warner a few times, recalled his character off-screen matched the warmth he exuded on television. She called him respectful and pleasant and said he had a "megawatt smile" that lit up the room. "His energy stayed with you," Murray said. "You don't have a bad memory when it comes to Theo or Malcolm-Jamal Warner. As much as we loved the character, we also watched Malcolm grow up in real life. No scandals. No mess. Just a talented young man who matured into an upstanding, handsome adult." "The Cosby Show" was groundbreaking and a ratings giant, drawing in viewers across racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. The show ran for 197 episodes from 1984 to 1992. In 1986, Warner earned an Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a comedy. The show starring Bill Cosby as Cliff Huxtable and Phylicia Rashad as his wife, Clair, "made the wider society aware that there are Black people who live like white people do," said Cammock, who is Black. "The perception that we don't live like they do was hurtful." Gil Robertson, co-founder and president of the African American Film Critics Association, reflected on Warner's rare path in the entertainment industry. "There was never any scandal, no controversy," said Robertson. "He transitioned from a teen star to a respected adult without the baggage we often see from others in his generation. That's no small feat." Robertson added: "The legacy of Theo Huxtable — and Malcolm's performance — will live on. It left an imprint that will continue to resonate in our culture for generations." Lynn Reasonover, 62, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, began receiving messages Monday afternoon about Warner's death. Her initial thoughts were "Nope, didn't happen." "Then, I kept seeing the news flashes and friends started sending texts," Reasonover said. "So, it's sinking in. Makes you realize how much some celebrities help shape our memories. His work had such a huge impact. I'm feeling a personal loss because we grew up with him. It's like losing a part of our childhood." Reasonover saw much of her family in the Huxtables, where both parents were professionals who valued education and handled family issues with understanding and love. "They had similar problems to what we experienced growing up," she said. "We could relate and that's why we laughed." Rasheda Williams, 46, of Detroit was about the same age as Rudy, the youngest character on "The Cosby Show" and Theo's little sister. Williams said she and others are mourning Warner's passing because of what they saw in the character he played. "He's like the ideal cousin you wish you had," Williams said. "Hearing the news has really affected some of us. It was unexpected. He wasn't sick. That makes it even more tragic." "He wasn't just an actor," she said. "He was also an activist, a positive role model, not just for young Black men, but for young Black women as well."

Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo on ‘The Cosby Show'
Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo on ‘The Cosby Show'

Boston Globe

time22-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Boston Globe

Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo on ‘The Cosby Show'

Warner was swimming Sunday afternoon at Playa Cocles in Costa Rica's Limon province when a current pulled him deeper into the Caribbean, according to that country's Judicial Investigation Department. Advertisement First responders found him without vital signs. Cori Murray, executive vice president of content at Ebony Magazine, was saddened upon hearing about Warner's death. She said his Theo character mirrored the everyday Black teenager, which was rare to see on TV at the time. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up While so many portrayals of young Black teenagers leaned negative, 'The Cosby Show,' especially Theo, showed warmth, joy and relatability. 'He wasn't just a character. We saw ourselves in him,' Murray said. 'You know how Kendrick Lamar has the song 'Not Like Us'? Well, Theo was one of us. He was like us.' Murray, who met Warner a few times, recalled his character off-screen matched the warmth he exuded on television. She called him respectful and pleasant and said he had a 'megawatt smile' that lit up the room. Advertisement 'His energy stayed with you,' Murray said. 'You don't have a bad memory when it comes to Theo or Malcolm-Jamal Warner. As much as we loved the character, we also watched Malcolm grow up in real life. No scandals. No mess. Just a talented young man who matured into an upstanding, handsome adult.' 'The Cosby Show' was groundbreaking and a ratings giant, drawing in viewers across racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. The show ran for 197 episodes from 1984 to 1992. In 1986, Warner earned an Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a comedy. The show starring Bill Cosby as Cliff Huxtable and Phylicia Rashad as his wife, Clair, 'made the wider society aware that there are Black people who live like white people do,' said Cammock, who is Black. 'The perception that we don't live like they do was hurtful.' Gil Robertson, co-founder and president of the African American Film Critics Association, reflected on Warner's rare path in the entertainment industry. 'There was never any scandal, no controversy,' said Robertson. 'He transitioned from a teen star to a respected adult without the baggage we often see from others in his generation. That's no small feat.' Robertson added: 'The legacy of Theo Huxtable — and Malcolm's performance — will live on. It left an imprint that will continue to resonate in our culture for generations.' Lynn Reasonover, 62, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, began receiving messages Monday afternoon about Warner's death. Her initial thoughts were 'Nope, didn't happen.' 'Then, I kept seeing the news flashes and friends started sending texts,' Reasonover said. 'So, it's sinking in. Makes you realize how much some celebrities help shape our memories. His work had such a huge impact. I'm feeling a personal loss because we grew up with him. It's like losing a part of our childhood.' Advertisement Reasonover saw much of her family in the Huxtables, where both parents were professionals who valued education and handled family issues with understanding and love. 'They had similar problems to what we experienced growing up,' she said. 'We could relate and that's why we laughed.' Rasheda Williams, 46, of Detroit was about the same age as Rudy, the youngest character on 'The Cosby Show' and Theo's little sister. Williams said she and others are mourning Warner's passing because of what they saw in the character he played. 'He's like the ideal cousin you wish you had,' Williams said. 'Hearing the news has really affected some of us. It was unexpected. He wasn't sick. That makes it even more tragic.' 'He wasn't just an actor,' she said. 'He was also an activist, a positive role model, not just for young Black men, but for young Black women as well.' AP Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo on ‘The Cosby Show'
Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo on ‘The Cosby Show'

First Post

time22-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • First Post

Gen Xers mourn drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo on ‘The Cosby Show'

Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Theo Huxtable was the character Generation X most related to. Fans took quickly to social media on Monday as news of Warner's accidental drowning in Costa Rica spread. read more For Black youth and teens growing up in the mid-1980s, 'The Cosby Show' offered something rarely seen on television up until that time: a sitcom that placed characters who looked like them in a positive light. And Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Theo Huxtable was the character Generation X most related to. Fans took quickly to social media on Monday as news of Warner's accidental drowning in Costa Rica spread. 'It's like losing one of us,' said Harriet Cammock, a 58-year-old Detroit author and speaker. 'This is the thing with television. When you're watching people every week on television, you think you know them and you're related to them.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Warner was swimming Sunday afternoon at Playa Cocles in Costa Rica's Limon province when a current pulled him deeper into the Caribbean, according to that country's Judicial Investigation Department. First responders found him without vital signs. Cori Murray, executive vice president of content at Ebony Magazine, was saddened upon hearing about Warner's death. She said his Theo character mirrored the everyday Black teenager, which was rare to see on TV at the time. While so many portrayals of young Black teenagers leaned negative, 'The Cosby Show,' especially Theo, showed warmth, joy and relatability. 'He wasn't just a character. We saw ourselves in him,' Murray said. 'You know how Kendrick Lamar has the song 'Not Like Us'? Well, Theo was one of us. He was like us.' Murray, who met Warner a few times, recalled his character off-screen matched the warmth he exuded on television. She called him respectful and pleasant and said he had a 'megawatt smile' that lit up the room. 'His energy stayed with you,' Murray said. 'You don't have a bad memory when it comes to Theo or Malcolm-Jamal Warner. As much as we loved the character, we also watched Malcolm grow up in real life. No scandals. No mess. Just a talented young man who matured into an upstanding, handsome adult.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The Cosby Show' was groundbreaking and a ratings giant, drawing in viewers across racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. The show ran for 197 episodes from 1984 to 1992. In 1986, Warner earned an Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a comedy. The show starring Bill Cosby as Cliff Huxtable and Phylicia Rashad as his wife, Clair, 'made the wider society aware that there are Black people who live like white people do,' said Cammock, who is Black. 'The perception that we don't live like they do was hurtful.' Gil Robertson, co-founder and president of the African American Film Critics Association, reflected on Warner's rare path in the entertainment industry. 'There was never any scandal, no controversy,' said Robertson. 'He transitioned from a teen star to a respected adult without the baggage we often see from others in his generation. That's no small feat.' Robertson added: 'The legacy of Theo Huxtable — and Malcolm's performance — will live on. It left an imprint that will continue to resonate in our culture for generations.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lynn Reasonover, 62, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, began receiving messages Monday afternoon about Warner's death. Her initial thoughts were 'Nope, didn't happen.' 'Then, I kept seeing the news flashes and friends started sending texts,' Reasonover said. 'So, it's sinking in. Makes you realize how much some celebrities help shape our memories. His work had such a huge impact. I'm feeling a personal loss because we grew up with him. It's like losing a part of our childhood.' Reasonover saw much of her family in the Huxtables, where both parents were professionals who valued education and handled family issues with understanding and love. 'They had similar problems to what we experienced growing up,' she said. 'We could relate and that's why we laughed.' Rasheda Williams, 46, of Detroit was about the same age as Rudy, the youngest character on 'The Cosby Show' and Theo's little sister. Williams said she and others are mourning Warner's passing because of what they saw in the character he played. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'He's like the ideal cousin you wish you had,' Williams said. 'Hearing the news has really affected some of us. It was unexpected. He wasn't sick. That makes it even more tragic.' 'He wasn't just an actor,' she said. 'He was also an activist, a positive role model, not just for young Black men, but for young Black women as well.'

Everything Jamie Foxx shared about his health scare in his Netflix special
Everything Jamie Foxx shared about his health scare in his Netflix special

Yahoo

time08-02-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Everything Jamie Foxx shared about his health scare in his Netflix special

Jamie Foxx's health has been the in the spotlight ever since he experienced a medical emergency and was hospitalized in April 2023. The actor has not publicly confirmed what happened to him, but he teased that he will reveal more in the near future. He followed through on his promise in his new Netflix special, "What Had Happened Was..." which got into more details about Foxx's health, including his illness, treatment and recovery. He shared that he experienced a brain bleed that led to a stroke, which required him to undergo surgery. Afterward, doctors thought a full recovery was possible, but said it would be difficult. When Foxx woke up on May 4, 2023, he couldn't walk and required a wheelchair. He also realized he didn't remember anything since he had a headache on April 11. He attended rehab in Chicago and is now fully recovered. Since Foxx was released from the hospital after his medical scare, he shared the details about what happened to him. For example, he has alluded to almost dying due to his condition and having a headache before landing in the hospital. He's also said he doesn't remember a large chunk of his health scare. In recent weeks he's been promoting his Netflix special and seems to be largely recovered from his health issues. Here's what to know about Jamie Foxx's health. Foxx has appeared healthy in the weeks leading up to his the release of his Netflix special, posting regularly on social media to. In early December, he wrote on Instagram that he was "blessed to be able to tell my story in my own way so many people to thank so many people have prayed…" "A big shout out to Atlanta you showed up and showed out made me feel at home made me feel safe after 18 years of not being on stage you made it feel like it was just yesterday… can't wait for everyone to experience the vibe that we had. It was like going to church… We laughed… we had a few tears… but last, but not least we celebrated life… And second chances… cannot wait Make sure you check it December 10th." In early October, Foxx was well enough to film his Netflix special, according to his social media. He reflected on the special night on Instagram, writing, "God is good…. As I post these pictures, my heart and my soul is filled with nothing but pure joy." "When people ask me is this a stand up comedy show I say no it's an artistic explanation. Of some thing that went terribly wrong, but thanks to the great people in Atlanta especially piedmont hospital you enabled me to come back and be on stage and do what I love to do the most." Several months prior, in March 2024, Foxx appeared to be doing well when he attended the African American Film Critics Association's Special Achievement Awards luncheon. He engaged with the audience, encouraged presenter Tyrese Gibson to sing and even joked about his recent health scare, Variety reported. Foxx also expressed gratitude to be where he is now: 'I'm so thankful. And I just get emotional. Because it was really… it's beyond the scope. Cherish life. I have some people in my life that really made sure I was here because it was dire straits.' As of early 2024, the actor was doing well enough to return to work. He was photographed on the set of "Back In Action" in January, one of the first times the star had been seen out and about since his health scare in April 2023. In December 2023, Foxx made a surprise appearance at the Critics Choice Association's Celebration of Cinema and Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievement, his first since the incident. 'I want to say thank you so much. I want to say, six months ago I couldn't fathom that this could happen or that I would be here, but as I walk up here to this microphone and get this Vanguard Award, all I can say is Lord, have mercy, Jesus,' Foxx said at the time. Foxx thanked people who had supported him throughout his ordeal, and admitted he was 'trying not to make eye contact with people because I'm just going to explode up here.' He also said that his health scare had given him a new outlook on life and his work. 'I have a new respect for life, I have a new respect for my art,' he said. 'I watched so many movies and listened to so many songs, trying to have the time go by. Don't give up on your art, man. Don't give up on your art.' In April 2023, Foxx was hospitalized in Atlanta after experiencing a 'medical complication,' his daughter, Corinne Foxx, shared in a statement at the time. At the time, he was working on the film "Back in Action" alongside Glenn Close and Cameron Diaz, which will be released on Netflix in January 2025. The actor's representative confirmed to NBC News via email at the time that Foxx's 'condition was serious enough that Jamie's family, some of whom were not in town, came to the hospital.' Foxx later revealed in his December 2024 Netflix special that he had a brain bleed that led to a stroke. In May 2023, Corinne Foxx shared that her father had been out of the hospital "for weeks" and was at home recuperating. 'In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone's prayers and support!' she said at the time. In July 2023, Foxx updated his followers about his hospitalization in an emotional Instagram video. 'I cannot even begin to tell you how far it took me and how it brought me back,' he said. 'I went through something that I thought I would never ever go through. I know a lot of people were waiting or wanting to hear updates, but to be honest with you, I just didn't want you to see me like that. 'I want you to see me laughing, having a good time, partying, cracking a joke, doing a movie (or) television show. I didn't want you to see me with tubes running out of me and trying to figure out if I was going to make it through,' he continued. He also opened up about feeling emotional following his health ordeal. 'If you see me out from now on and every once in a while, I just burst into tears, it's because it's been tough, man,' he said. 'I've been sick, man. But now, I've got my legs under me, so you're going to see me out.' The next month, in August 2023, he shared another update on Instagram. It included a picture of himself and alongside it, he wrote, "You're lookin at a man who is thankful… finally startin to feel like myself… it's been an unexpected dark journey… but I can see the light." "I'm thankful to everyone that reached out and sent well wishes and prayers," he continued. "I have a lot of people to thank… u just don't know how much it meant… I will be thanking all of you personally… and if you didn't know… GOD IS GOOD… all day every day." July 2024 marked one of the first times he shared any details about what happened, though he still did not share what his illness was. In a video posted by Instagram user Brenda Combs in late June 2024, Foxx — who did not share the video himself — spoke to a group of people gathered around him at an outdoor location in Phoenix. In the beginning of the clip, the actor explained that he had experienced a 'bad headache' before his health scare. 'I asked my boy for an Advil,' he said before snapping his fingers. 'I was gone for 20 days.' Foxx then explained that a doctor gave him a cortisone shot, referring to an injection that treats inflammatory conditions, swelling, pain and irritation. 'The next doctor said something's going on up there,' he continued, pointing to his head. 'I won't say it on camera,' he then said a few times. reached out to Foxx for comment at the time but did not hear back. Jamie Foxx's new Netflix special titled 'What Had Happened Was' was released on Dec. 10, 2024. He taped it in early October in Atlanta. While it is a return to Foxx's comedy roots, it also addressed his health scare. 'Everybody wants to know what happened, and I'm going to tell you what happened. But I've got to do it in my way,' Foxx said ahead of the special's premiere. 'I'm going to do it in a funny way. We're going to be on the stage. We're going to get back to the standup sort of roots.' This article was originally published on

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