Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s death at 54 prompted Beyoncé Tracee Ellis Ross and others to share emotional tributes honoring his legacy.
Beyoncé honored the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner with a heartfelt tribute after the actor and musician died at 54 while vacationing with family in Costa Rica.
Costa Rican authorities confirmed the cause of death as asphyxiation on Sunday.
The Grammy-winning singer shared a black-and-white photo of Warner as a teen on her official website, writing, “Rest in power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.”
Tracee Ellis Ross also remembered Warner, her co-star from BET’s Reed Between the Lines, with a personal message and photos of the two from their time on set.
“I love you, Malcolm,” she wrote. “First, I met you as Theo with the rest of the world, then you were my first TV husband. My heart is deeply saddened. 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.”
Warner rose to prominence in the 1980s as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, a role that made him a household name.
Over the years, he continued acting in series like Malcolm & Eddie and The Resident, where he worked with Morris Chestnut, who also paid tribute.
“I’m heartbroken,” Chestnut wrote. “He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on.”
NBA icon Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie shared their condolences in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
“Cookie and I are sad to hear about the passing of our dear friend Malcolm-Jamal Warner. We were both super fans of the hit Cosby Show and continued to follow his career on shows like Malcolm and Eddie and The Resident,” Johnson said. “Every time I ran into Malcolm, we would have deep and fun conversations about basketball, life, and business. He will truly be missed. Cookie and I are praying his family and close friends during this difficult time.”
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter, whose identities he kept private throughout his career.
Cookie and I are sad to hear about the passing of our dear friend Malcolm-Jamal Warner. We were both super fans of the hit Cosby Show and continued to follow his career on shows like Malcolm and Eddie and The Resident. Every time I ran into Malcolm, we would have deep and fun…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 21, 2025
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