NewsPhotosVideosShopKardashiansRoyalsTV Scoop
NewsPhotosVideosShopKardashiansRoyalsTV Scoop

Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dead at 54: Celebs Pay Tribute

10 photos
Jul 22, 2025 5:12 PM
LINK COPIED!
Pin It
Courtney B. Vance and Malcolm-Jamal Warner
1/10
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc

Courtney B. Vance 

"When @malcolmjamalwar was in the room," he wrote of his Tuskegee Airmen costar, "we all felt his good and kind spirit. He was not just a hard worker. He was a man with integrity and honor. He grew up in this business, serving as a beacon of possibilities for young people to see what it means to have this career and have a real life."

Vance added, "Rest in eternal peace, my good brother. We will always remember you!"


Pin It
2/10
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Adam Sandler

The comedian said of his former Cosby Show costar, “Malcolm was so nice to me when I was on the show and we had such good times together.”

"We would take walks together, all of us and pick up food, talk, play basketball, hang out on the weekends, and go to parties together," he added. "He was so good to me as a person, and his mom was amazing. I’m just sending my love to the family. Malcolm is a true, great person, hilarious, smart kid and meant a lot to America.”


Pin It
3/10
Dave Benett/Getty Images

Tracee Ellis Ross

“I love you, Malcolm,” Ross wrote in a July 21 Instagram post of her Reed Between the Lines costar. “First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad.”

She continued, “What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”


Pin It
4/10
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Geoffrey Owens

"This tragedy has almost left me speechless," the Cosby Show alum shared in a statement with NBC News. "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 added, "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.”  


Pin It
5/10
FOX via Getty Images

Shaunette Renée Wilson 

"Last week I had the impulse to text you for one of our lengthy heart check-ins," Wilson wrote on Instagram. "I truly wish I had so that one of the last words I had of you were of your wisdom, kindness, and that uncanny ability you had to be both unserious and profound within a single sentence."

She continued, referencing their time on The Resident, "Rest in Power, Malcolm. It was a joy to be Mina to your AJ."


Pin It
6/10
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Angela Bassett

The Black Panther actress shared a lengthy tribute to Warner, whom she worked with on American Horror Story and 9-1-1.

"When a special soul like @malcolmjamalwar leaves us far too soon, words fail to adequately describe the unimaginable grief," she wrote on Instagram. "Malcolm was more than a gifted actor; he was a longtime friend."

She added, "In this life, Malcolm is what’s known as a soulful artist whose deep commitment to his craft left an impression on me that has never faded. He carried the weight of cultural legacy with grace, and he always made space for others to shine. His light will remain in our hearts always."


Pin It
7/10
Julian Dakdouk via PictureGroup/Shutterstock

Beyoncé

The musical icon dedicated the front page of her website to the late Cosby Show actor.

"Rest in power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner," a message shared to the homepage read in all caps. "Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed."

 

Pin It
8/10
NBC-TV/Kobal/Shutterstock

Bill Cosby

The 88-year-old’s rep Andrew Wyatt confirmed to E! News that Cosby was just as devastated to learn of Warner's passing as when he learned of his own son Ennis Cosby’s 1997 murder, which was the result of a failed robbery attempt.

The former comedian also spoke of his late son and Warner playing together as children, noting they “were amazing together," per the rep, and that the Cosby Show actor created a lasting impact through his work.


Pin It
9/10
Amy Sussman / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

Viola Davis

"I actually am speechless," the How to Get Away With Murder alum wrote on Instagram. "No words! Theo was OUR son, OUR brother, OUR friend... He was absolutely so familiar, and we rejoiced at how TV got it right!! But... Malcolm got it right... and now... we reveled in your life and are gutted by this loss. Blessings and prayers to your family and loved ones... We will speak your name—always."


Pin It
10/10
Photo by LORENZO BEVILAQUA/Disney via Getty Images

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

The Live! hosts paid tribute to Warner, who they say was the show's first ever guest.

"It's just so sad and crushing, and you don't realize—I literally, even though I didn't know him, grew up with this man," Kelly said on-air. "We were 14 years old together, only he was a big TV star and I was watching him. I feel like a piece of all of us passed away. It's very, very sad."


Next Gallery
Celebrity Deaths: 2025's Fallen Stars
About UsSubscribeContact UsFAQCareersClosed CaptioningWatch Full EpisodesSitemapE! International TV ChannelsCustomer Support

Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and ​celebrity gossip. Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows!

Ad ChoicesPrivacy PolicyCA NoticeTerms of Service

© 2025 E! Entertainment Television, LLC A Versant Media Company. All rights reserved.