Adam Sandler Fondly Recalls Friendship With Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Video

When thinking about Adam Sandler’s early career, his stint on “Saturday Night Live” from 1990 to 1995 is one of the first things that comes to mind. Then there are the obvious films that made him famous, such as “Billy Madison,” “Happy Gilmore,” and “The Waterboy.” But few realize that the actor and comedian got his start on “The Cosby Show.”

In Season 4, Sandler got the role of Smitty, one of Theo Huxtable’s (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) school friends. The “Wedding Singer” star only appeared in four episodes, but his time on the show was unforgettable. Sandler was asked about Warner’s death at the “Happy Gilmore 2” premiere, and it was apparent he was in shock. He remembered all the ‘good times’ they had together on and off the set.

He Had ‘Good Times’ Co-star: ‘Hung Out… Went to Parties’

“Malcolm was so nice to me when I was on the show, and we had such good times together,” Sandler recalled to “Entertainment Tonight.” “I was probably 18, and Malcolm was probably 17, 16 — I don’t know. And we would take walks together, all of us, and pick up food. Talk, play basketball, hung out on the weekends, went to parties together.”

“He was so good to me as a person, and his mom was amazing to us,” he continued. “And I’m just sending my love to the family. Malcolm was a true, great person. Hilarious, smart kid, and meant a lot to America.”

“I knew him very well, we were young together, we hung out a bunch,” he also told Extra TV. “We went to lunch and dinner and parties, and he was always a very down-to-earth, special kid, and very inclusive, and made me feel special. And was a superstar. Wherever he went, it was just mayhem. He meant a lot to the world, and we’re gonna miss him.”

Warner Crossed Paths With Many People in His Career as an Activist, Actor, Poet, and Musician

On July 20, Warner tragically died after drowning near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica. The poet, activist, and musician was on a family vacation at the time. Since news of his passing, everyone who knew him has been mourning his loss.

For many, Warner will always be Theo Huxtable, but he went on to have a very long and productive career. He has starred in several TV series, including “Malcolm & Eddie,” “Jeremiah,” “Reed Between the Lines,” and “The Resident.”

He received a Grammy Award in 2015 for “Best Traditional R&B Performance, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for his Spoken Word Poetry album, “Hiding in Plain View.” An accomplished musician, he played bass guitar and released the jazz-funk record “The Miles Long Mixtape” in 2023. In 2024, started a podcast, “Not All Hood.” Warner leaves behind a wife and daughter.