The Cosby Show star Keshia Knight Pulliam has shared a touching tribute to her former co-star and on-screen brother Malcolm-Jamal Warner after the actor tragically drowned
17:19 ET, 28 Jul 2025Updated 17:31 ET, 28 Jul 2025
Malcolm-Jamal Warner tragically drowned on July 21(Image: Getty Images for SCAD aTVfest 20)
The Cosby Show star Keshia Knight Pulliam has shared a heartbreaking tribute to Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
The actress – who played Rudy Huxtable on the show – took to social media to show her respects to Warner, who of course played her on-screen big brother Theo Huxtable. Posting a video on Instagram she wrote, “A week ago I lost my big brother, but I gained an angel… I love you… I miss you… We got our girls.”
She shared footage Malcolm performing playing a guitar on stage alongside the touching caption, with the clip cutting to two little girls, her daughter Ella, and his 8‑year‑old daughter, walking with a horse on a farm. In a second post she thanks fans for their support as she wrote, “Thank you for every text, call, and all of the love that you have sent my way. I have just needed a moment.”
READ MORE: Malcolm-Jamal Warner tried to save his daughter before accidental death by drowningREAD MORE: Man who heroically tried to save Cosby Show’s Malcolm-Jamal Warner released from hospital
Despite the pair having last starred on-screen together in 1992 they had clearly remained close over the years as they moved on with their careers and their lives off-screen. Warner’s death was sadly confirmed on Monday, July 21.
Keshia Knight Pulliam shared a tribute to Malcolm-Jamal Warner(Image: keshiaknightpulliam/Instagram)
The actor passed away at the age of 54 in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica and is survived by his wife and his daughter, who he tried to save from an unexpected rip current before he drowned. The beloved child star was reportedly on vacation with his family when the tragedy occurred.
Since his death, it was revealed that two surfers attempted to rescue him and his daughter. While they were able to rescue his daughter, they were unable to rescue Warner and one of the surfers also was taken by the currents. The surfer survived and was rushed to a clinic in critical condition but Warner did not make it.
Warner’s body will be flown out to LA so his family can properly mourn his death.
The Hollywood star was best known for playing Theodore Huxtable on the popular NBC family sitcom from 1984 to 1992. However, he also crafted a successful career as an actor, director, and musician over the years.
After rising to fame as a young boy starring on the Cosby Show, Warner went on to collect a Young Artist Award and Emmy nomination. He then continued his on-screen career starring in Malcolm & Eddie from 1996 to 2000 before taking on recurring roles in several other big-name TV shows including Jeremiah, Listen Up, and Reed Between the Lines.
Keshia and Malcolm-Jamal starred in The Cosby Show as children(Image: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Moving on from sitcoms, Warner took on more serious roles in drama productions such as American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and The Resident, as well as Sons of Anarchy and Sneaky Pete. His talents didn’t end there, as his work as a voice actor led to projects including The Magic School Bus.
Warner also put his talents to use behind-the-scenes as a director, helping to create captivating episodes of various TV shows including Malcolm & Eddie and All That. He often worked as a spoken word artist and performed in his band Miles Long as a bass player.
His success in the entertainment industry earned him multiple NAACP Image Award nominations throughout his career and an estimated worth of $6 million.
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