Malcolm-Jamal Warner mirrored on the legacy he hoped to go away behind in his remaining interview, simply two months earlier than his tragic dying.
Warner, who died on Sunday on the age of 54, appeared on the May 21 episode of the “Scorching & Bothered with Melyssa Ford” podcast, the place he admitted that he considered his legacy “lots.”
On the time of his dying, Warner was vacationing with household in Costa Rica, the place he drowned whereas swimming. His explanation for dying was dominated as asphyxiation by “submersion.”
Costa Rican Nationwide Police informed The Publish that he was pulled from the water by bystanders and brought to shore however was “declared lifeless on the scene,” in keeping with the Judicial Investigation Company (OIJ).
Although he discovered the concept of legacy troublesome to reply, Warner admitted in the course of the podcast that “The Cosby Present” would doubtless be what folks keep in mind him for many.
“I keep in mind my mom mentioned to me one time that ‘Mr. [Bill] Cosby gave you immortality,'” he recalled. “So I do know on one lane, there's legacy there… These former years have been all the time about life past ‘Cosby.'”
Warner rose to fame taking part in Theodore “Theo” Huxtable, the son of Invoice Cosby's Cliff Huxtable, within the NBC sitcom from 1984 to 1992.
The position earned him a 1986 Emmy nomination for Excellent Supporting Actor in a Comedy Collection.
“I really feel like, OK, there's that legacy there, however then, as a result of I've had this full life after that present, there's one other lane of legacy that I get to go away,” Warner defined. “And I'm nonetheless working by that.”
In April 2021, Warner completely spoke to The Publish about “The Cosby Present” within the wake of Invoice Cosby's sexual assault conviction that was later overturned.
“I can perceive why some folks can't watch the present and revel in it due to every part that's occurring now,” he informed The Publish. “However I believe… there's a technology of younger individuals who have pursued increased training or have began loving households due to the affect of that present.”
Warner added, “It's type of like, you'll be able to't low cost its affect on tv and American tradition.”
After “The Cosby Present,” Warner starred within the UPN sitcom “Malcolm & Eddie” alongside Eddie Griffin from 1996 to 2000, in addition to the BET sitcom “Reed Between the Strains” alongside Tracee Ellis Ross from 2011 to 2015.
From 2018 to 2023, Warner portrayed Dr. AJ Austin in Fox's “The Resident.” His different notable performing credit included “The Recent Prince of Bel-Air,” “American Crime Story,” “Fits” and “9-1-1.”
Outdoors of performing, nonetheless, Warner mentioned that he wished to be remembered for being “a superb individual.”
“There may be a part of me that I can depart this earth understanding — and other people understanding — that I used to be a superb individual,” he shared.
Warner recalled that his father usually informed him that folks love him due to his profession and success. However, Warner added, what made his father essentially the most proud was that his son was an honest human being.
“I'm a superb individual as a result of my dad's a superb individual,” he continued. “It's attainable to stroll by this world — and with the entire darkness on the earth — it's attainable to take care of your soul and be a superb individual.”
Within the wake of his dying, Ford took to Instagram to share a tribute to Warner.
“I'm devastated. Phrases can't convey my shock and unhappiness on the lack of such an unbelievable HUMAN,” she captioned a carousel of behind-the-scenes pictures from Warner's look on her podcast. “Malcolm-Jamal Warner didn't really feel comfy with the designation of the label of ICON, however that's what he was to so many people.”
Ford added, “In addition to being an achieved actor, poet, [and] musician, his most cherished position was Father and Husband. I'm so heartbroken for his household that he labored so arduous to guard from the evident lights of fame. Might they discover consolation within the data that his religion was sturdy, however his love for them outlined him.”
Warner is survived by his spouse and daughter, each of whom he selected to maintain personal.
“Relaxation Simple, King,” Ford concluded.
