Within the wake of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s sudden dying at age 54, Invoice Cosby shared a private tribute to the actor who portrayed his son, Theo Huxtable, on the long-running NBC sitcom “The Cosby Present.”

Warner died Sunday after an unintentional drowning whereas swimming off the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica throughout a household trip. In keeping with native authorities, the actor was caught in a robust present. Regardless of efforts by beachgoers and first responders, Warner couldn’t be revived.

In an interview with ABC Information, Cosby mirrored on Warner’s legacy each on and off the display screen, remembering him as “very skilled” and “an incredible studier.”

“I loved working with him very a lot,” Cosby stated. “He at all times knew his half, he at all times knew his traces, and he at all times knew the place to go.”

The function of Theo Huxtable was loosely impressed by Cosby’s real-life son, Ennis, who was murdered in 1997. Cosby famous the parallels between the 2 younger males and shared that Warner and Ennis had been mates throughout their youth. Cosby’s spokesperson, Andrew Wyatt, informed Folks, the grief “reminded him of the identical name he acquired when his son died.”

Cosby additionally acknowledged he maintained a paternal bond with Warner lengthy after “The Cosby Present” ended its eight-season run from 1984 to 1992.

“Malcolm calls right here frequently,” Cosby informed ABC. “Whereas I used to be their TV dad, I by no means stopped being a father to them.”

In keeping with Wyatt, Cosby has been involved with different “Cosby Present” alumni, together with Phylicia Rashad, who performed his onscreen spouse Clair Huxtable.

“He was on the cellphone with Phylicia Rashad reminiscing about Malcolm,” Wyatt informed Folks.

Warner’s post-Cosby profession was wide-ranging. He earned reward for his roles in “Reed Between the Traces,” “The Resident” and “Sons of Anarchy.” He additionally gained a Grammy Award in 2015 for finest conventional R&B efficiency. Lately, he targeted on producing a podcast that delved into Black identification and cultural historical past.

Tributes have flooded social media from trade friends resembling Tracee Ellis Ross and Jamie Foxx.

Cosby, as soon as one in all tv’s most beloved figures, was accused by greater than 60 ladies of sexual assault and misconduct spanning a long time. He served three years in jail after a 2018 conviction, which was later overturned on attraction. Cosby has continued to disclaim all allegations towards him.