Latest news with #Malcolm-JamalWarner
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Angelique Bates Reveals Malcolm-Jamal Warner Defended Her During On-Set Abuse Incident
Actress is speaking out with an emotional tribute to , calling him her "only true hero" in the entertainment industry following his sudden and tragic death at the age of 54. In an exclusive statement shared with The Blast, Angelique Bates opened up about the heartbreak she felt upon hearing the news, revealing that Malcolm-Jamal Warner's kindness and courage had a profound impact on her life during a dark moment in her childhood acting career. Angelique Bates Mourns Malcolm-Jamal Warner "I haven't felt this kind of heartbreak in a long time," she began. "This morning, I woke up to the devastating news that I've lost the only true hero I've ever had in this twisted industry. I still can't believe I'm even writing these words. Malcolm-Jamal Warner's name is the very last one I ever imagined hearing in this context." She went on to call Warner "one of the most genuine, real, and protective 'industry big brothers'" she has ever known. "Speaking about him in the past tense is absolutely gut-wrenching." As The Blast reported, Warner tragically lost his life after drowning during a family vacation in Costa Rica. Bates Recalls How Warner Protected Her During 'All That' Incident Bates went on to recall an incident from her time on "All That" that has been the subject of public speculation for years. She confirmed that during a specific episode, one that involved her being spat on with milk and publicly humiliated, Warner, who was directing the episode, was the only person who stepped in to defend her. "Over the years, I've spoken honestly, both the good and the bad, about my time as a child on 'All That.' One specific incident that people have repeatedly asked me about involved milk being spat on me, twice, including directly in my face, and me being publicly yelled at while the cameras and microphones were rolling," she recalled. "It was loud, humiliating, and broadcast throughout the studio. All of it happened simply because I stood up for myself." "The director of that episode, the only person in that room who stood up for me, was Malcolm-Jamal Warner," she revealed. "Until now, I've intentionally kept his name private out of respect. I didn't want the media or anyone else to target him or disturb the peace he lived with so intentionally." "Malcolm didn't just direct that episode, he changed the outcome of that day for me," the former child star continued. "He saw what was happening and immediately stepped in, without hesitation. Aside from my mother, he was the only person who defended me. If it weren't for Malcolm, the attack would have continued. And it was because of Malcolm that the producer responsible was eventually made to apologize, after he made sure the audio and footage couldn't be ignored, even by another producer who remained quiet." Angelique Bates Praises Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Integrity On Set Bates explained that it was Warner's actions that forced the production team to acknowledge the incident, leading to an eventual apology from the individual responsible. "Not one other soul defended me in that moment. And to this day, only one of the people involved, a cast member, has publicly acknowledged what happened," Bates said. "That's who he was: someone who didn't just claim to stand for what's right, he acted on it." Bates Says Warner Lived A 'Quiet, Honorable Life' While she had previously kept his identity private out of respect for Warner's quiet and honorable life, Bates said she now felt it was time to share just how deeply he had impacted her publicly. "Malcolm lived a quiet, honorable life that reflected his beautiful character," she said. "He was exactly who he appeared to be; kind, grounded, protective, and true. We come from an era that is slowly fading, and Malcolm embodied the very best of it." Angelique Bates Recalls Last Moment With Malcolm-Jamal Warner The former "All That" star also shared a personal memory from the last time she saw Warner at the "Underground" wrap party. "I'm grateful I always gave him his flowers, whether through our conversations online or the last time I saw him, at the 'Underground' wrap party," she said. "He was glowing as he shared that his wife was expecting their daughter. I hugged him and, as I always did, thanked him for what he did for me. Because he truly saved me, in a moment when he could've turned a blind eye, like everyone else did." In closing, Bates extended her heartfelt condolences to Warner's loved ones and to fans who had grown up watching him on television. "Malcolm-Jamal Warner will always be my hero. I wish I could hug him just one more time. I wish I could tell him again how much his presence, his courage, and his decency meant to me," she told The Blast. "My heart aches for Malcolm's wife, daughter, family, friends, and all those who truly knew and loved him. Thank you to his mother and father for sharing such an amazing gift with the world. Even if you never had the honor of knowing Malcolm personally, you could still feel his goodness and light." She concluded, "This is a deep and painful loss for all of us."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Spent His Final Moments Swimming With His Daughter Before Tragically Drowning
Heartbreaking new details are emerging surrounding the death of "Cosby Show" actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who drowned in Costa Rica in July 2025. Malcolm-Jamal Warner Was Swimming With His Young Daughter Before Drowning In Costa Rica According to ABC News, police told the publication that Warner, who starred in "The Cosby Show" from 1984 to 1992, was swimming with his daughter, 8, in Costa Rica when he suddenly drowned. The report further states that surfers in the area spotted Warner and his daughter in distress in the water and rushed in to offer aid. The surfers reportedly brought both Warner and his daughter to shore, where the actor, who was 54, received 45 minutes of CPR. A spokesperson from the Forensic Pathology Department later confirmed through an autopsy that Warner's cause of death was "asphyxiation by submersion," ruling it accidental. Malcolm-Jamal Warner Kept His Daughter And Wife Out Of The Spotlight The new report regarding Warner's final moments with his daughter is particularly poignant because the actor, who also went on to win a Grammy for spoken word poetry, tried his hardest to keep his immediate family out of the spotlight. During a previous appearance on the "Hot & Bothered" podcast, Warner opened up about not initially wanting to get married or have children; however, a date with his wife changed his perspective. "At some point, I was like, if I'm going to have a kid, this is the person that I would want to have it with," Warner said. "I also realized that if something happened and we weren't together romantically, she would still be the person I would want to raise a child with, co-parent with." Warner also discussed his desire to keep their identities private, saying, "I talk about my wife and daughter, but obviously I don't post them." He continued, "I talk about them because they are obviously the hugest parts of my life, the best parts of my life, the best decisions I've ever made, but I also like to keep them and their identity private." Fans Are Heartbroken Over Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Sudden Passing Warner's sudden passing has left fans struggling to come to terms with the news, resulting in an outpouring of tribute posts across the internet. One commenter wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, "I cannot even believe this. I am over here SOBBING." Someone else wrote, "I think what hurts most about Malcolm-Jamal Warner is that he was a GOOD person. A good human being. You never heard anything negative about him." Another user shared an emotional post, calling Warner a "gentle giant." They added, "Today, we lost a gentle giant. A man who won our hearts not by force, but by quiet grace. From the very beginning, Malcolm-Jamal Warner reminded us that being calm, classy, sophisticated, and soulful could carry you far in life." Celebrities Share Their Emotional Reactions To The Unfortunate News And Warner's fans aren't the only ones finding the news difficult. Several of Warner's co-stars, such as Raven-Symoné, who joined the cast of "The Cosby Show" in 1989, have also shared their heartfelt tributes. In the video, Symoné, 39, can be heard sharing an emotional message about Warner over a black screen that featured the words, "I love you." "Words cannot describe the pain and the sadness and surprise that I feel with the recent loss of MJW," Symoné said. "He was the big brother, he was a beacon, he was one of the most multifaceted, talented men. So gentle, and my heart and soul and hugs, and kisses go out to his daughter and his wife, and his mother." "He gave the best advice, he gave the best hugs, and his smile will always be a huge, bright f-cking white smile in my head forever," Symoné continued. "I love you, and I know you're watching over all of us now. Bye, Malcolm." Warner's "Malcolm & Eddie" co-star, Eddie Griffin, shared a similar message in his Instagram Stories, writing, "My Big little brother." Other Celebs Join In Bill Cosby also released a message about Warner's passing through his representative, comparing the loss to the death of his own son, Ennis Cosby, who was killed in California in 1997. "This reminds me of the call I got when I was taping 'The Cosby Show' and I got a call saying that my son, Ennis, had been murdered," Cosby's rep shared. "It's just devastating."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Confusion Mounts As Conflicting Statements Emerge In Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Death
Conflicting accounts are surfacing in the aftermath of 's tragic death in Costa Rica, with a local police chief standing firm on his claim that the beloved actor drowned while trying to save his young daughter. Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," died on July 20 at age 54 after being caught in a powerful rip current while swimming off Cocles Beach in Limón. Initial reports from authorities indicated that Malcolm-Jamal Warner had been in the water with his eight-year-old daughter when the tragedy struck, and that surfers rushed to help bring them to shore. Police Chief Doubles Down On Malcolm-Jamal Warner Claim Now, Elberth León, Chief of the Tourist Police of the Atlantic Region, is doubling down on that version of events despite conflicting statements from Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). 'I responded to the incident and I know what I saw,' León told Us Weekly on July 28. 'The Red Cross also treated the girl [on site] and she didn't need to go to the clinic.' However, the OIJ released a separate account last Thursday, saying Warner's daughter was not in the water at the time of his drowning. 'Mr. Warner was playing with his daughter at the seashore at one point. He then left her out of the water, and he and a friend of his entered the sea,' their statement read. 'It was at that moment that they were swept away by the current, and the friend managed to get out. However, Mr. Warner was unable to get out and was pulled out by several people on the beach.' His Cause Of Death Revealed Red Cross officials confirmed they treated two adult men who were pulled from the water that day. One was transported in critical condition to a nearby clinic, while Warner was given CPR on the beach but tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The OIJ later confirmed Warner's autopsy was completed on July 22, ruling his cause of death as 'asphyxia due to submersion.' His death has been classified as accidental. Bill Cosby Recalls Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Work Ethic In Resurfaced Interview In a resurfaced interview with CBS News' Jericka Duncan, Bill Cosby praised Warner's dedication to his craft, remembering the late actor as someone who always took his work seriously. '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 recalled. Warner himself often spoke about the significance, and later the loss, of "The Cosby Show"'s cultural weight. In a 2015 interview with the Associated Press, amid the sexual assault allegations against Cosby, Warner admitted he was heartbroken by the show's fall from grace. '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,' he said at the time. Years later, Warner doubled down on that sentiment in an interview with CBS News Pittsburgh, reflecting on the show's enduring global reach. '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,' Warner explained. 'So I'm proud to have been part of that legacy, and it's been a great ride ever since.' Angelique Bates Heartbroken Over Her Former Co-Star's Death Actress Angelique Bates has shared an emotional tribute to Warner, exclusively telling The Blast that the late actor was her 'only true hero' in Hollywood. Bates reflected on how Warner's kindness and courage left a lasting mark on her life, especially during a difficult period in her childhood acting career. She said the news of his sudden passing at 54 has left her heartbroken. "This morning, I woke up to the devastating news that I've lost the only true hero I've ever had in this twisted industry," she expressed. " I still can't believe I'm even writing these words. Malcolm-Jamal Warner's name is the very last one I ever imagined hearing in this context." Raven-Symoné Pays Heartfelt Tribute To Malcolm-Jamal Warner Raven-Symoné is also grieving the loss of her former "Cosby Show" co-star, Warner. On July 22, the actress, 39, shared a simple yet powerful tribute on Instagram, posting a black screen with the words 'I love you' alongside a dove emoji. The understated message spoke volumes, reflecting the deep bond she shared with Warner and the heartbreak she feels in the wake of his sudden passing. RIP.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Costa Rican Police Chief Stands by Statement That Malcolm J. Warner Tried to Save Daughter
A Costa Rican police chief is standing by his statement regarding the moments that led up to Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death, insisting the late actor's daughter was in the water at the time of his drowning and that the actor tried to save her. 'I responded to the incident and I know what I saw,' Elberth León, Chief of the Tourist Police of the Atlantic Region, exclusively told Us Weekly. 'The Red Cross also treated the girl [on site] and she didn't need to go to the clinic.' According to information from the Regional Subdelegation of Bribri of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), obtained by Us on Saturday, July 27, the agency is contesting the police chief's statements. 'It appears that at one point, Mr. Warner was playing with his daughter at the shoreline,' the agency claimed in part. 'He later left her out of the water and supposedly entered the sea along with a friend. It was at that moment that the current pulled them in; the friend managed to get out, but unfortunately, Mr. Warner did not.' Malcolm-Jamal Warner Was Trying to Save His Daughter From Riptide Before Drowning, Police Say According to the OIJ, the late actor was 'pulled from the water by several people who were on the beach,' received immediate medical attention from Red Cross personnel but was ultimately declared 'dead at the scene.' The OIJ's account of the incident was first reported by several outlets on Thursday, July 24. 'I don't know why the OIJ is saying that, since they weren't present at the scene,' León told Us of the agency's conclusion. 'They interviewed Malcom's family, but they also weren't there at the time of the accident.' The Costa Rica Red Cross confirmed to Us on July 21 that emergency personnel attended to two adult male patients near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica, after they were caught by a high current in the water. One man was transported in critical condition to the local clinic, while CPR was performed on Warner at the scene. The Cosby Show alum was pronounced dead shortly after. He was 54. The second individual was later discharged, according to local authorities. The OIJ confirmed that Warner's autopsy was completed on July 22. The late actor's cause of death was ruled as "asphyxia due to submersion.' His death was ruled accidental. León told Us on Thursday that both Warner and his daughter were in the water when they were 'dragged by the current.' 'They were bathing together and were caught by a rip current,' he said. 'Obviously, as a father, he fought for his daughter, but the current in that area is very strong, and they couldn't accomplish the objective.' Doctor Who Attempted to Save Malcolm-Jamal Warner Speaks Out for the 1st Time He continued, 'Two people who were there at the location went in with a surfboard and a boogie board to help rescue the people who were caught in the current. They managed to stay with the girl, managed to get her onto the board, but due to the strength of the current, one of them, from Nicaragua, had to let go of the board and push it toward the shore so the girl could make it to land or the coast.' Despite the OIJ's conflicting report, León told Us he doesn't see any issue with his version of the tragic events because 'it's the truth about what happened.' 'I feel the OIJ failed to interview the Police and the Red Cross, and those are crucial interviews that should be part of any investigation,' he continued. 'But sometimes, for all kinds of reasons, they don't do them.' OIJ journalist Pablo Alvarado claimed to Us on Saturday that the agency's officers did include interviews with several eyewitnesses at the scene and that their report reflects 'the hypothesis currently being considered regarding how the events may have occurred.' According to Alvarado, the 'report will be submitted to the public Prosecutor's Office in the coming days.' 'The people who were involved are being interviewed,' he said, adding that the report includes accounts from the police, eye witnesses and members of the Red Cross. Solve the daily Crossword
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: An appreciation of ‘The Cosby Show's' Theo and TV's other ‘lost boys'
To the editor: When I watched TV shows like 'The Cosby Show,' 'Leave It to Beaver' and 'Family Matters,' I always enjoyed the 'regular boy' characters in them. For me, Theo has always represented the average boy struggling to survive in an accomplished family ('Malcolm-Jamal Warner carried a heavy load for Black America,' July 26). How many times has one read about the children of wealthy and highly talented parents (like Bronny James, for example) who are doing the best they can to thrive under the pressure? Then you have 'the Beave.' Another regular kid trying to survive in an otherwise perfect (or so it seems) family. And finally, there was Steve Urkel. He was my favorite TV kid, someone truly gifted and either resented or envied by the adults and kids around him. I want to thank Theo, Beaver and Urkel, and the actors who played them, for representing the good-hearted 'lost boys.' They gave the lost boys of their generations hope. Mark Walker, Yorba Linda
