Bill Cosby shared sincere memories of his son on screen, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died on Monday after drowning in Costa Rica at age 54.
Warner, better known for his role as Theo Huxtable in “The Cosby Show”, was caught in a strong current while swimming during a family vacation on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Despite the rescue attempts by the spectators, the first to respond could not save it.
In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Cosby reminded Warner, who played his son for eight seasons in his successful program, as a definitive professional.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner attends Scad Atvfest 2020-In a conversation with Malcolm-Jamal Warner, on February 29, 2020 in Atlanta.
Griffin/Getty Images
“It was always a great study, and I enjoyed working with him,” said Cosby.
Theo’s role was freely based on Cosby’s own son, Ennis, who died in 1997. Cosby revealed that he and Warner maintained a close relationship long after the show ended.
“Malcolm calls here regularly,” said Cosby, describing his relationship as one in which he acted as a mentor, similar to his own grandfather.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Theodore ‘Theo’ Huxtable, Bill Cosby as Dr. Heathcliff ‘Cliff’ Huxtable.
Alan Singer/Nbcuniversal through Getty Images
“It was very professional,” Cosby recalled. “His part always knew … he always knew his lines, and he always knew where to go.”
Warner’s career flourished beyond his role as Theo Huxtable. Appeared in numerous television programs, including “children of anarchy” and “The Resident” and even won a Grammy for the best tradition& B Performance in 2015.
His most recent work included a podcast that explored black experiences and identities in the United States.
Taxes took colleagues from the entertainment industry, including the actress Tracee Ellis Rosswho said that Warner “made the world a brighter place” and Jamie Foxx, who wrote I was “speechless”, adding “rest in power, my brother.”
Bill Cosby has been accused of multiple women of sexual aggression and sexual harassment. It served three years in prison after he was sentenced for sexual assault in 2018, but that conviction was revoked in appeal. He has maintained his innocence.
