The world is still in mourning after “Cosby Show” star Malcolm-Jamal Warner sadly passed away on July 20. Naturally, many of his close friends in the entertainment industry have posted heartfelt tributes on social media. Now, his dear friend Anthony Mackie is reflecting on his legacy.Â
Anthony Mackie and his “Twisted Metal” co-star, Stephanie Beatriz, recently interviewed with PEOPLE. The two discussed quite a bit, but one of the more emotional parts of the interview came when Anthony was asked about his friendship with Malcolm-Jamal Warner.Â
He said, “Iâm proud to say Malcolm-Jamal Warner was a friend of mine. Heâs somebody that I knew and spent time with, and just was such a beautiful human being.”Â
The beloved actor then said of how he remembers Malcolm-Jamal, “And every time I was around him, I was able to take full advantage of those conversations and that time. That, for me, is the most important thing.”
It’s also notable that Anthony Mackie first gained an admiration for Malcolm-Jamal Warner by watching him on “The Cosby Show.” Once they met, the two became friends, and it seems they had a mutual respect for one another that extended beyond the entertainment industry.Â
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Was Laid To Rest In Private
As mentioned, Malcolm-Jamal Warner sadly passed away on July 20. At the time, he was on a family vacation. His death occurred as a result of an accidental drowning. Since then, fans, friends, and former co-stars have weighed in on his legacy and discussed what he meant to them as a person.Â
According to MSN, Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s family held a private burial ceremony for him in Los Angeles. Details are scarce, but reports say that, in addition to family, some of his co-stars from “The Cosby Show” were in attendance. Notably, Felicia Rashad, who played his mother on the show, was at the private funeral.
Anthony Mackie Also Reflected on the Life of Andre Braugher
During the previously mentioned PEOPLE interview, where Anthony Mackie discussed Malcolm-Jamal Warner, he also mentioned how much Andre Braugher, who was his mentor, meant to him. Notably, Andre passed away in December 2023 of lung cancer.Â
Anthony said, “Being in New York and that new kid on the theater scene. To have those lessons and those moments and have that communicated [by] such â at that time for me â such an icon in the business.”
He went on, “I always tell people just take full advantage of those moments [with mentors] and truly be yourself so that that person can see, react, and engage with who you are and not some fictitious idea of who you think they want you to be.”
Stephanie Beatriz, who starred with Andre on “Brooklyn 99,” said of his life, “Unfortunately, we all go through grief in our lives. And all you really have are those memories.”
She continued, “So Anthonyâs absolutely right. Coming to people in your life with the truest, most honest self as much as you can at all times is gonna feed the memories when you lose them. And hopefully feed their memories when someday they might lose you.”
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