Latest news with #BillCosby
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bill Cosby and other ‘The Cosby Show' co-stars react to Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death
The 'Cosby Show' family grieves the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner after reports of a tragic drowning in Costa Rica. It's been a tough 24 hours for Hollywood and Black TV lovers, as we grieve the loss of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Warner was first introduced to audiences as Theo Huxtable on 'The Cosby Show' and has remained Black culture's cousin Theo for decades after the show's ending. So just as fans flooded timelines with their reactions to the actor's death, Warner's TV family from the hit 80s sitcom are grieving the news of Warner's tragic drowning and ultimate passing in Costa Rica. Bill Cosby, who played Warner's television dad on 'The Cosby Show,' mourned the actor's death in an interview with ABC6. 'When the news came, it was shocking,' Cosby told the outlet. 'My thoughts went straight to his mother, who worked so hard. She was so wonderful with him…You could depend on Malcolm to learn his lines, to gather his character to come out and be ready.' The 88-year-old's representative, Andrew Wyatt, told People Magazine that the news of Warner's passing 'reminded [Cosby] of the same call he received when his son died.' Cosby's only son, Ennis William Cosby, was murdered in 1997 at 27 years old. Recalling how Ennis and Warner used to play together, Wyatt describes Warner's tragic passing as 'devastating.' Warner, who played Cosby's only son on 'The Cosby Show,' reportedly kept in contact with Cosby through the years. In a conversation with CBS News' Jericka Duncan, Cosby revealed that the last time he had spoken to the late actor was 3 months before his death, where they discussed a concert. 'He was very proud of what he had done,' Cosby said, reflecting on his last conversation with Warner. When asked what he wanted people to remember about the actor, Cosby stressed his work ethic. 'He was never afraid to go to his room and study. He knew his lines. And he was quite comfortable even with the growing pains of being a teenager,' the 88-year-old comedian noted. 'They spoke all the time,' Wyatt added, per People magazine. '[Cosby] said 'Malcolm was changing humanity.'' Cosby also revealed that he and Phylicia Rashad, who played Claire Huxtable, grieved their co-star's death together over the phone, stating that they were 'embracing each other over the phone about a dearly beloved friend.' Fellow 'The Cosby Show' co-star Geoffrey Owens, who played Warner's brother-in-law, Elvin, expressed that the star's death left him 'speechless.' 'Malcolm was a lovely man; a sweet and sensitive soul. I respected him for many reasons, including the fact that he genuinely loved the act of creation. He had the mind of an actor and the heart of a musician. He was generous, too; I did a theater project long ago and asked him to participate, and he was there for me. My heart goes out to his family,' he continued in a statement per Deadline. Raven-Symoné, who appeared in the last three seasons of the hit sitcom at age three, shared an emotional statement on Instagram. 'Words cannot describe the pain, sadness, and surprise that I feel with the recent loss of MJW. He was a big brother. He was a beacon. He was one of the most multifaceted, talented men…so gentle. He gave the best advice. He gave the best hugs, and his smile will always be a huge, bright, white smile in my head forever. I love you and I know you're watching over all of us now,' the actress said in the video statement, extending 'hugs and kisses' to Warner's daughter, wife, and mother. More must-reads: Chloe Bailey says Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners' reminds her of the entertainment industry Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's $100M Netflix deal reaches its end—'With Love, Meghan' season 2 still coming 'I didn't know how to be Max without you': 'Living Single' stars Erika Alexander and TC Carson reflect on their bond
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jamie Foxx and Beyonce lead Hollywood in grieving The Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner's shock death
Hollywood is mourning the devastating loss of The Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who tragically passed away at age 54 after drowning while on a family vacation in Costa Rica. According to Costa Rican authorities, Warner drowned off the coast near Cocles Beach on Sunday, July 20. His official cause of death has been confirmed as asphyxia. Best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable, the only son of Bill Cosby 's character, Heathcliff Huxtable, Warner became a beloved household name during his time on the beloved NBC sitcom, which ran from 1984 to 1992. His legacy as a cultural icon was cemented not only through his Emmy-nominated performance, but also through decades of work across television, music, and film. News of his sudden death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, prompting a wave of tributes from colleagues, costars, and fellow performers who remembered him not just as a gifted actor, but as a generous spirit and trusted friend. Jamie Foxx and Beyoncé were among the first stars to honor Warner, sharing a brief but powerful message on Instagram. 'Speechless on this one rest in power, my brother,' he captioned his tribute. Beyonce posted a statement to her website that read, 'Rest in Power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.' Kevin Hart, clearly shaken, reacted to the news in a comment under People's Instagram post. 'WTF…. Wow. This is heartbreaking,' the comedian wrote. RIP king…. Woooow.' Meanwhile, Kate Hudson reflected on spending time with him while shooting a film in Australia. 'He was the kindest and sweetest,' she wrote on her Instagram Story. 'My heart is heavy and sending such love to @malcolmjamalwar family.' In reaction to the tragedy, Kerry Washington wrote that she was 'deeply saddened by this loss.' Tracee Ellis Ross paid homage to her first TV husband with a very thoughtful post. 'My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant,' she wrote. 'You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I'm so sorry for this unimaginable loss.' Comedian and actor Eddie Griffin, who costarred with Warner on the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, posted a moving tribute to his Instagram Story alongside a photo of his longtime friend. He captioned the shot, 'My Big little Brother.' Taraji P. Henson posted multiple photos of the late star, along with a heartfelt caption. 'This one hurt. Malcolm, we grew up with you. Thank you for the art, the wisdom, the grace you gave us!!!!! You left the world better than you found it. Rest easy, king!!!! Your legacy lives far beyond the screen,' the actress wrote. Marlee Matlin, who directed an episode of Accused in which Warner guest-starred, also paid tribute on Instagram. Sharing a photo from a 2023 panel they appeared on together, she wrote: '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 the same company with him, sharing a directors' panel along with @HowardmGordon and Michael Chiklis. My heart goes out to his family and friends. RIP Malcolm.' Morris Chestnut also paid tribute to his former The Resident costar. 'Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor. He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on,' the actor wrote on Instagram. Holly Robinson admitted that she was 'struggling to process' his death. '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,' she wrote on Instagram. She concluded: 'We aren't ready to say goodbye, Malcolm —but you lived with purpose, character, presence, and grace. Rest well, my friend. Your light lives on.' While reflecting on her friend's death, Niecy Nash revealed they had 'just spoke.' 'You were giving my my flowers for my work in @grotesqueriefx and we talked about how happy we both were in our marriages. Damn friend [crying emoji] You were cornerstone of The Cosby Show. We all loved Theo! Never to be forgotten. You will be missed. Rest Easy,' she captioned her Instagram post. Mike Colter fondly recalled running into Warner 'about a year ago.' 'Wow. I ran into this prince of man about a year ago. We had previously connected during the covid lockdown down and exchanged kind words. I was fascinated by his depth and concern for his fellow man. His compassion for his people. His musical gifts and expressions in spoken word,' he wrote. 'Yes of course I had watched him as I grew up on the Cosby Show but he had grown into so much more as an artist and a man. A father.' He concluded: 'I took this photo as his mother sat across from us. I complimented her on what a great job she had done with her son in this industry. He turn out so well. My heart goes out to her. I never heard a harsh word spoken about him. His legacy will live on. I'm so sorry for this loss to his family and friends. i'm in shock to be honest.' Other stars took to social media to express their shock and grief, including Ricki Lake, Jennie Garth, Patti LaBelle and Mario Lopez, who shared broken heart emojis. Daily Mail has reached out to Warner's representatives for comment, but they have not yet responded. While the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, experts note that some beaches in Costa Rica can pose serious risks depending on conditions. Though many areas are safe for swimming, others are known for powerful currents and rip tides that demand caution. According to WedMD, Asphyxia 'happens when your body doesn't get enough oxygen to keep you from passing.' Breathing impairment, due to water inhalation, can cause the condition, which can result in unconsciousness or death. Although it is unknown what caused him to drown, the waters in Costa Rica can be dangerous, depending on the specific beach and conditions. While many beaches offer safe swimming, some have strong currents and rip tides that require caution. The actor, best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the beloved NBC sitcom, appeared in all eight seasons from 1984 to 1992. At the time, Warner was just a teenager, but his performance earned widespread acclaim, including a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 1986 Primetime Emmy Awards. Warner is survived by his wife and young daughter, born in 2017. While he occasionally shared glimpses of his family life on social media, he chose to keep their identities private, opting not to publicly reveal their names. His character, Theo, was based on Bill Cosby's real-life son, Ennis Cosby, and was portrayed with depth and sensitivity. In the show, Theo is diagnosed with dyslexia after struggling academically during his freshman year at New York University—an arc that resonated with many viewers. Beyond The Cosby Show, Warner carved out a successful and diverse career in both comedy and drama. He starred as Malcolm McGee in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000) opposite Eddie Griffin, and later headlined BET's Reed Between the Lines from 2011 to 2015 as Dr. Alex Reed. The actor was in Costa Rica with his family where he drowned while swimming off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday, local authorities told ABC News His television credits also included recurring roles and guest appearances on shows like Sons of Anarchy, Jeremiah, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Community. Warner also voiced the Producer character on the educational children's series The Magic School Bus. Prior to his breakout role, Warner, who was born in New Jersey, he attended a performing arts school in New York City. Cosby personally selected Warner to play his son. In 2023, Warner insisted he and the rest of the cast of The Cosby Show 'still very proud of' their hit series. 'We share a unique experience that keeps us lovingly bonded no matter how much time goes between seeing or hearing from each other,' he told People. 'Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I'm still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on — first and foremost, Black culture — but also American culture,' Warner explained, nodding to the rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment claims against his former onscreen dad.
Fox News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Malcolm-Jamal Warner turned ‘Cosby Show' fame into a lasting Hollywood career: Inside his life
Malcolm-Jamal Warner may have been known for his role as Theo Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," but his career didn't stop there. On July 20, Warner died at the age of 54 while on a family vacation in Costa Rica. Warner had been swimming on Sunday afternoon at Playa Grande de Cocles in Limon province when a current pulled him into deeper waters, Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department stated. "He was rescued by people on the beach," an initial report stated, but first responders could not revive the actor. Warner gained fame as the son of Cliff Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby, on "The Cosby Show" from 1984 to 1992. He appeared in all 197 episodes of the NBC sitcom. In 1986, Warner earned an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a comedy. "Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I'm still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on – first and foremost, Black culture – but also American culture." The show's legacy was tarnished after Cosby was accused of sexual assault. Cosby's 2018 conviction was overturned in 2021. Since then, five more women have come forward with accusations against the comedian. Despite the controversy, Warner was still proud of the show. "Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I'm still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on – first and foremost, Black culture – but also American culture," Warner told People magazine in 2023. Following his "Cosby" fame, Warner continued on with his acting career. He starred in the sitcom, "Malcom & Eddie," and took on roles in "Alert: Missing Persons Unit," "Reed Between the Lines," "Community," "Key & Peele," and "The Resident." Warner also landed roles in movies, including "Fool's Gold," "Shot," "Tyson" and "Drop Zone." According to IMDb, Warner had 14 director roles, including "The Resident," "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," and even some episodes of "The Cosby Show." Prior to his death, Warner was able to live a semi-private life in Atlanta, Georgia. A source spoke to People after his death and explained that Warner had moved down to Georgia to focus on his jazz band, the Biological Misfits. "He played the bass and had his jazz band down in Atlanta, a very avant garde jazz band. And of course he did his spoken word. He was very creative," the source told the outlet. Warner won a Grammy Award in 2015 for his work with the hip-hop trio, Robert Glasper Experiment. Additionally, Warner was nominated for another Grammy Award in 2023 for his spoken word poetry album, "Hiding In Plain View." Warner was also the host of the "Not All Hood" podcast with Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley. According to the podcast's website, "Not All Hood" takes "a provocative look at the vastly different lived experiences and identities of Blacks in America." Warner was married, but kept the identity of his wife private. He also had a daughter, but never shared her name or birthdate. In 2019, Warner uploaded photos to Instagram and explained why he chose not to share pictures of his daughter's face. "Thank you for sharing in my joy as a father even though I don't post her face. She has the rest of her life for that life. Right now I just want her to BE," he captioned the post in part. In 2021, Warner shared images of himself on Instagram, decorating a cake for his wife, with the help of his three-year-old daughter, who he called a "mini us." In May, Warner was a guest on the "Hot & Bothered" podcast where he spoke about how his wife and daughter are the "best parts" of his life. "Obviously I don't post them. I don't, you know, I talk about them, because they are obviously the hugest parts of my life, the best parts of my life, best decisions I've ever made, but I like to keep them and their identity private. "But I love talking about them because I want people to know that it is possible to be happy and to have love and love really be enriching," Warner said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowning in Costa Rica: Second man in critical condition
Following "The Cosby Show" actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner's accidental drowning, another man is in critical condition. An adult man, who was involved in the same incident as Warner, 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 Costa Rican Red Cross said it received a report of a water-related incident that afternoon, and three ambulances were dispatched to the scene, where medical personnel attended to both men. The other man is 35 years old, according to Us Weekly. His current condition is unknown. Warner, 54, was allegedly swept away by a current while in the Caribbean Sea on July 20, the country's Judicial Investigation Agency confirmed to USA TODAY on July 22, identifying the actor by his age and last name. Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies: Bill Cosby, Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, more pay tribute 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 transported to the morgue for an autopsy. Warner's reps have declined to comment to USA TODAY. In addition to eight seasons on the hit NBC sitcom as Theo, the 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' In the 2016 FX series "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story," Warner played Al Cowlings, a friend of O.J. Simpson who drove the infamous white Ford Bronco during the televised police chase. The "Reed Between the Lines" actor also dabbled in music and poetry, going on to win a Grammy Award for best traditional R&B performance for the song "Jesus Children" in 2015, and receiving a nomination for best spoken word poetry album for "Hiding in Plain View" in 2023. Contributing: Bryan Alexander This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowning: Second man in critical condition
CBS News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Bill Cosby reacts to Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death
Bill Cosby said that when he learned of the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played his son on "The Cosby Show," he spoke with Phylicia Rashad, who played the mother. "We were embracing each other over the phone about a dearly beloved friend ... Malcolm was always embracing relationships with everybody he worked with," Cosby told "CBS Weekend News" anchor Jericka Duncan in an interview. Warner's death shocked the entertainment world Monday when it became known that the performer drowned in Costa Rica the day before during a family vacation. The 54-year-old was apparently pulled out to sea by a current off the Central American nation's Caribbean coast and he couldn't be revived onshore, officials said. A spokesperson for Cosby said in a statement that the 88-year-old former actor was devastated when he found out Warner had died. Cosby compared learning the news to when he was told that his son Ennis was killed in 1997, according to spokesperson Andrew Wyatt. "It felt the same way," Wyatt said. Cosby told Duncan he last spoke with Warner about three months ago about his music career. In 2015, Warner, with the Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway, won the Grammy for best traditional R&B performance with a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Jesus Children of America." Warner was also nominated for best spoken word poetry album at the 2023 Grammys. "He was very proud of what he had done," Cosby said. America watched Warner grow up as he played Theo Huxtable on "The Cosby Show" for the entirety of the show's run from 1984 to 1992, earning Warner an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series in 1986. In the interview with Duncan, Cosby praised Warner's dedication to the profession. "He was never afraid to go to his room and study and make sure he followed whatever he had learned in the acting school he went to," Cosby said. In 2015, as Cosby faced multiple allegations of sexual assault, Warner told The Associated Press that "The Cosby Show" lost its place as a counter to the portrayal of negative stereotypes of people of color in movies and TV. "And the fact that we no longer have that, that's the thing that saddens me the most because in a few generations the Huxtables will have been just a fairy tale," Warner told the AP. Cosby was convicted in a Pennsylvania court in 2018, but the conviction was overturned in 2021. In 2023, Warner spoke highly of his experience on "The Cosby Show" in an interview with CBS News Pittsburgh. "That show had such an impact on the culture here in America but also a global impact on how, you know, Black people saw ourselves globally and how the rest of the world saw us," he said. "So I'm proud to have been part of that legacy, and it's been a great ride ever since."
