Long before Malcolm-Jamal Warner found lasting love and family, he endured a heartbreaking loss that quietly shaped his life. “The Cosby Show” star was once deeply in love with actress Michelle Thomas. Sadly, their story ended in a moment both devastating and unforgettable. The couple reportedly dated for over five years.
(Photo by Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images)Thomas, who played Justine Phillips, the on-screen girlfriend of Warnerâs character Theo Huxtable, dated Warner in real life from 1988 to 1994. Though the couple eventually parted ways, their bond endured long after the breakup.
Warner Stayed by Michelle Thomasâ Side in Her Final Days
In December 1998, Thomas died from a rare form of stomach cancer at just 30 years old, as reported by Playbill. Despite their split, Warner had remained close to her and flew to New York to be by her bedside in her final moments.
In a moving interview years later, Warner recalled their final exchange, a private phrase the two had shared during their relationship.
âLooks like youâre saying, âI love you,ââ Warner told People, recalling the moment. âThat was always our thing. When I saw her, I said, âElephant juice.â She smiled and said, âElephant juice.ââ
Remembering the Life of Michelle Thomas
In addition to her memorable role on “The Cosby Show”, Thomas starred as Myra Monkhouse, the girlfriend of Steve Urkel (Jaleel White), on the hit sitcom “Family Matters” from 1993 to 1998. Her warmth, humor, & talent left a lasting impression on fans and co-stars alike.
âShe spent a lot of her career playing girls,â Warner once said of Thomas to People magazine. âThe wonderful thing about The Young and the Restless was that she finally got to play a woman. She finally got to be sexy and to show people that there was more to her than Justine from Cosby.â
Jaleel White Honors Their Legacy
Following Warnerâs recent passing on July 20, 2025, from an accidental drowning in Costa Rica at the age of 54, Family Matters actor Jaleel White paid tribute to both Warner and Thomas.
âMalcolm and I were industry peers,â White told Extra. âReally, I can’t even say thatâI grew up looking up to him. He was ahead of me in the game.â
âMalcolm was the first former child actor that my mother even let me go out with late at night past 11 p.m. I had a very close relationship with both him and Michelle Thomas. May they both rest in peace.â
Though life would eventually lead Warner down a different path, the bond he shared with Michelle Thomas speaks volumes about the depth of their connection.
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