Tracee Ellis Ross is expressing her deep sorrow over the unexpected death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner at the age of 54.
Following the announcement on Monday of the tragic drowning of the renowned The Cosby Show actor in Costa Rica during a family holiday, Ross shared a heartfelt homage to her former Reed Between the Lines colleague on various social platforms.
“I love you, Malcolm. Like everyone else, I first knew you as Theo, and then you became my first TV husband,” wrote Ross, 52, alongside images of her and Warner from their time on the BET series. “My heart is incredibly heavy. You were such a talented actor and a wonderful friend; warm, gentle, attentive, kind, considerate, profound, humorous, and classy.”
Ross ended her message by saying, “You brought light into this world. Sending all my love to your family. I’m deeply sorry for this unbearable loss.”
Warner was widely recognized for his portrayal of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992 during his teenage years, and he later established himself as a distinguished adult actor with roles in Malcolm & Eddie from 1996 to 2000 and Reed Between the Lines from 2011 to 2015.
In his more recent projects, Warner was seen as Chuck Cooper in Major Crimes, Julius Rowe in Suits, and as AJ Austin in The Resident. He also appeared in 9-1-1 and Alert: Missing Persons Unit, and co-hosted the podcast Not All Hood. Additionally, he was a celebrated musician and poet, earning a Grammy in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song “Jesus Children” with Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway.
Warner tragically drowned near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica. According to ABC News, Costa Rican authorities reported that he was swept away by a rip current on Sunday afternoon. Although bystanders managed to rescue him and bring him ashore, he was pronounced dead due to asphyxia.
Since his unfortunate passing, numerous friends and admirers, including former child star Jaleel White, have expressed their grief. The Family Matters star told Extra that he had always looked up to Warner, noting that Warner was the first former child actor his mother allowed him to go out with late at night. White implored people to remember Warner not only as a child actor on a sitcom but as a talented poet, Grammy-winning musician, and versatile actor.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
