Malcolm-Jamal Warner is being remembered by his The Cosby Show co-stars following his death at the age of 54.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was only 14-years-old when he took on the role of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show. The show ran from 1984 to 1992 and has long been considered one of the most iconic sitcoms of the era.
The Cosby Show told the story of an upper-middle-class African-American family living in Brooklyn, New York. It starred Bill Cosby (as Cliff Huxtable) and Phylicia Rashad (as Claire Huxtable), parents of five children portrayed by Sabrina LeBeouf (Sondra Huxtable), Lisa Bonet (Denise Huxtable), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theo Huxtable), Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa Huxtable), and Keshia Knight Pulliam (Rudy Huxtable).
Other notable characters throughout the series included Geoffrey Owens who joined the cast in Season 2 as Elvin Tibideaux, husband of the eldest Huxtable child, Sondra. Raven-Symone joined the show in 1989 when she was only 4. She portrayed Olivia Kendall, step-daughter of Denise.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner died Sunday, July 20, at the age of 54.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was on vacation with his family in Costa Rica when he passed away. Authorities revealed that the actor was caught in a riptide and ultimately died of “asphyxiation by submersion.”
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The news shook Cosby Show fans, who took to social media to express their sadness over the news. Warner’s co-stars also shared statements about his death.
Andrew Wyatt, a representative for Bill Cosby, told PEOPLE that Warner’s death reminded Cosby of “the same call he received when his son died.” Bill Cosby’s only son, Ennis William, was murdered in 1997.
“Malcolm was doing what he loved when he died — he was with his family,” Cosby said, according to Wyatt.
“He had just done a concert in Minnesota and called Mr. Cosby and talked about it. They spoke all the time. He said ‘Malcolm was changing humanity,'” Wyatt also said.
Raven-Symone issued a statement on Tuesday on Instagram.
“Words cannot describe the pain, and sadness, and surprise I feel with the recent loss of MJW. He was the big brother. He was a beacon. He was one of the most multifaceted, talented men…so gentle,” she said in a video.
“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,” she added. “I love you and I know you’re watching over all of us now. Bye, Malcolm.”
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Geoffrey Owens issued a statement to US Weekly remembering Warner as a “lovely man, a sweet and sensitive soul.”
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“This tragedy has almost left me speechless,” Owens said. “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.”
Owens added that his co-star was a great friend and supporter of his own acting career.
“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.”