Keshia Knight Pulliam, who shared the silver screen with Malcolm-Jamal Warner in the iconic series "The Cosby Show," elegantly showcased the late Emmy-nominated actor's musical prowess as she publicly addressed his passing for the first time. On Sunday, Pulliam posted an Instagram video featuring Warner playing the bass with passion at Atlanta's City Winery. This heartfelt tribute came just a week after the tragic drowning incident in the Caribbean waters off Costa Rica, where Warner, aged 54, lost his life while swimming.
Captioning the video, Pulliam reflected, "A week ago I lost my big brother but I gained an angel." She, who portrayed Rudy Huxtable, the youngest sibling in the beloved TV family, added, "I love you... I miss you," before acknowledging the other Huxtable children, "We got our girls."
At 46, Pulliam, renowned for her role in "House of Payne," joins the ranks of fellow "Cosby Show" stars mourning Warner. Following the news of his demise last week, colleagues including Bill Cosby, Geoffrey Owens, and Raven-Symoné offered their condolences. Cosby, sharing his grief with CBS News, recounted how he and co-star Phylicia Rashad consoled each other over the phone upon hearing of Warner's passing. He remembered Warner as a diligent actor who "was never afraid to go to his room and study," mastering his lines and comfortably navigating the challenges of teenagehood.
Owens, who played Warner's on-screen brother-in-law Elvin Tibideaux, issued a statement to Deadline expressing his speechlessness at the loss. "Malcolm was a lovely man; a sweet and sensitive soul. I respected him for many reasons, particularly his genuine love for creation," he said.
Warner, a talented TV director and Grammy-winning musician, was vacationing with his family when fate struck. Swept away by a strong current while swimming, he tragically succumbed to the ocean's depths. The Costa Rica Red Cross confirmed to The Times that another individual involved in the same drowning incident, whose identity was kept confidential, survived. Responders found Warner without vital signs, and he was pronounced dead at the morgue.
As news of Warner's death spread, fellow Hollywood luminaries such as Morris Chestnut, Tracee Ellis Ross, Viola Davis, and Niecy Nash also paid tribute on social media. Beyoncé honored the late actor by briefly dedicating a section of her website to him.
Pulliam, expressing gratitude to her fans for their support during her mourning period, shared on Instagram, "Thank you for every text, call, and all the love you have sent my way. I've just needed a moment."
In honor of Warner, City Winery Atlanta, the venue featured in Pulliam's video, will host a tribute event on Wednesday. The event's website states, "This tribute is our communal offering to say: Thank you. For the way he gave, for the work he created, for the bridges he built between TV, poetry, music, and love." All proceeds from the event will benefit Warner's family, who continue to mourn alongside his wife and daughter.
