Bill Cosby Breaks Down Over Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Death—Says It Feels Like Losing His Son All Over Again

Bill Cosby is sharing a deeply personal response to the unexpected death of “The Cosby Show” star Malcolm-Jamal Warner. A representative said that Cosby heard the devastating news that Warner died Sunday in Costa Rica from an accidental drowning while on vacation with his daughter. It immediately transported him back to January 1997. That was the day he received the tragic call that his son Ennis had been shot to death in a failed robbery attempt.

Andrew Wyatt, Cosby’s spokesperson, explained that the news of Warner’s passing “hit him the same way as Ennis’ murder.” He recalled that the two “used to play together when they were younger and were amazing together.”

Warner’s vivacious spirit and talent left an impression on Cosby far beyond their time on set. The rep shared memories of Warner visiting the Cosby family home in Massachusetts, where he “made Bill’s relatives laugh harder than ever.”

Cosby also shared what had been a recent conversation with the actor. Warner “was excited about a big concert in Minneapolis and felt like he was changing the world.”

Reflecting on Warner’s legacy, Wyatt conveyed that Cosby believes his former co-star “made a lasting impact with his life and career that will continue to change the world.” He added that “every young man growing up in the projects back in the day wanted to be like Warner and to have a family like the Huxtables.”

In Cosby’s eyes, Warner was much more than a talented actor. “He was brilliant,” Cosby said of his longtime friend and collaborator.