Phylicia Rashad Honors Malcolm-Jamal Warner at the 2025 Emmys

The beloved television son received a gut-wrenching tribute from his on-screen mother during a moving moment at Sunday's award show.

A hush fell over the crowd as Phylicia Rashad, the iconic matriarch of one of television's most adored families, took the stage. Under the soft glow of tribute lights, she honored the devastating loss of Malcolm-Jamal Warner during the 2025 Emmy Awards' in memoriam segment on the evening of September 14, 2025.

"He was a beloved teenager in an iconic television series who the world watched grow into manhood. And like all our friends and colleagues who transitioned this year, Malcolm-Jamal Warner remains in our hearts," she said before introducing the rest of the solemn tribute.

Remembering Those Lost

Rashad continued with soul-stirring words that spoke to the enduring power of performance and the indelible mark Warner and other actors, as well as members of the television industry, left behind.

"Tonight, as it's tradition at the Emmys, we remember them not just for their immense talent but also for the way they made us believe in something bigger: the best that is within us," she expressed, adding that they will continue living in the stories they told and how they helped shape entertainment.

Following her sincere words, Rashad welcomed country star Lainey Wilson and music legend Vince Gill to perform the heartbreakingly appropriate ballad "Go Rest High on That Mountain."

As their voices filled the room, screens across the world lit up with images of Ozzy Osbourne, Maggie Smith, David Lynch, Quincy Jones, Michelle Trachtenberg, and more.

A Sudden Death That Shook Hollywood

Warner, who is forever etched in America’s memory as Theodore "Theo" Huxtable, met a tragic end in July at just 54 years old, after drowning off the coast of Costa Rica in a heartbreaking accident. According to local authorities, the actor died of asphyxia.

Warner earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his performance on "The Cosby Show" and went on to build a decades-long career marked by range, resilience, and reinvention.

He later co-starred in the beloved sitcom "Malcolm & Eddie" opposite Eddie Griffin, portrayed a thoughtful doctor in BET's "Reed Between the Lines," and most recently appeared in five out of six gripping seasons of Fox's medical drama "The Resident."

A Role He Almost Didn't Get

And yet, the story behind his breakthrough role is the stuff of Hollywood legend. In a 2023 interview on "Live with Kelly and Mark," Warner revealed how he nearly missed the chance to become a Huxtable.

He said the show was originally looking for a "6-foot-2-inch 16-year-old" to be similar to Bill Cosby's real-life son. Warner didn't fit that criteria, but his agent still submitted him, and when casting couldn't find their ideal height match, Warner's agent pushed for another shot.

"I was literally the last person they saw," he added, and the rest is history.

Even before he died, Malcolm-Jamal Warner expressed his belief that the sitcom left a profound cultural imprint in America. In 2023, during a poignant conversation with Bevy Smith, he said that "The Cosby Show" had inspired an entire generation to attend college and go on to build beautiful families.

Tributes to the Actor

Warner himself left a huge legacy behind. As previously reported, after his passing, actors and celebrities who knew, worked with, or were inspired by Warner honored his memory.

Tracee Ellis Ross, his co-star in "Reed Between the Lines," shared a carousel of photos of the two on Instagram. She also wrote an emotional tribute, "I love you, Malcolm. First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad."

Ross remembered him as a talented actor and a dear friend, highlighting his warmth, gentleness, presence, kindness, thoughtfulness, depth, humor, and elegance. The actress concluded, "You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I'm so sorry for this unimaginable loss."

Cosby himself also shared heartfelt memories of his on-screen son, remembering Warner as the ultimate professional during their years working together. "He was always a great studier, and I enjoyed working with him very much," he said.

The 88-year-old added, "He was very professional. He always knew his part... He always knew his lines, and he always knew where to go."

The character of Theo Huxtable was loosely inspired by Cosby's real-life son, Ennis, who was tragically killed in 1997. Cosby noted that he and Warner remained close even after "The Cosby Show" ended.

A Deep Sadness

Other Hollywood stars who crossed paths with Warner in various capacities have also mourned his loss. Jamie Foxx, shaken by the news, wrote on Instagram, "Speechless on this one. Rest in power, my brother."

Businessman and former basketball player Earvin Magic Johnson also shared his condolences, along with his wife Cookie. In a message posted on X, he said they were saddened by the loss of their dear friend Warner, noting they had long been fans of his work.

He continued, "Every time I ran into Malcolm, we would have deep and fun conversations about basketball, life, and business. He will truly be missed. 🙏🏾Cookie and I are praying his family and close friends during this difficult time."

Taraji P. Henson paid tribute to Warner with a heartfelt message accompanied by a collage of photos from his acting career. She wrote, "This one hurt. Malcolm, we grew up with you. Thank you for the art, the wisdom, the grace you gave us!!!!!"

She continued, "You left the world better than you found it. Rest easy, king!!!! Your legacy lives far beyond the screen. 🕊️🖤."

Jennifer Hudson shared her sorrow over Warner's passing on X, saying she was "devastated by this news" and "truly heartbroken," before adding, "Rest well, king."

A Guiding Role Model

Drummer and record producer Questlove also spoke out, sharing a deeply personal and emotional tribute to Warner. He reflected on how much his portrayal of Theo meant to an entire generation. "If you looked like me coming of age in the 80s, Malcom-as-Theo was a gps/lighthouse of navigating safety to adulthood," he wrote.

The 54-year-old added, "For those of us that didn't have 'examples' or 'safe environments' — I would like to think for anyone of age we used this entire show — and its offspring as life blueprints."

Questlove admitted that Warner's death felt especially difficult, "Losing the Huxtables was a painful divorce I wasn't ready for but I never once thought about the offspring of that show transitioning before I did."

Warner's character, he said, was someone he related to. "Seeing myself in every episode through his shoes: like being bad at football, wanting clothes outside of my budget, hiding things from your parents (ear piercings or weed), living in a 'respectable politics' house of jazz vs 'teen music'... him dealing with dyslexia," Questlove pointed out.

The drummer recalled the first time they met, "Meeting him on 94 was a thrill when I first got in the biz." Warner, he added, was very welcoming, "Mal Jam was the earliest co-signer of the Roots. He attended many a show way before the world got to know us."

Their shared love for music created a bond between them, and Questlove expressed regret that their plans never came to fruition. He divulged, "All that time talking about music extensively and we never got our chance to collaborate as we said we would."

He remembered Warner as someone wise and grounded. "He was an amazing soul who always took the time out to school me and talk about his experiences in life and the business," gushed Questlove.

Despite challenges, he said Warner "expressed ZERO cynicism or bitterness in his journey and constantly lived in the present which dictated his future."

Questlove recalled, "He was never the guy stuck in a glory days bubble (but always graciously obliged me when I asked a gajillion questions of 'what was it like back then?!!')."

The drummer closed his tribute with a heartfelt farewell, "I wasn't prepared to say goodbye in this manner but here we are in 2025. Love & Strength to his family and his loved ones and all of the people his life's journey inspired. 'Thank you Mal Jammin On The One!'"