Henry Winkler Pays Tribute to “Talented Young Man” Malcolm Jamal-Warner

Beloved actor Malcom-Jamal Warner died by accidental drowning at 54 years old. If there’s one thing the entertainment world learned after the news broke on July 20th, it’s that he touched many, many lives in a positive way. Friends, family, and costars have all paid tribute to Warner on social media, but even some acquaintances have taken the time to honor him. “Happy Days” star Henry Winkler took to X with a heartfelt post about him.

“It was a pleasure to know this talented young man. May he rest in peace,” Winkler wrote in part. Although, as he admits in the post, the pair never got to work together, they did meet on a few occasions. Fans in the comments section responded with love and sadness about the news. “I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of a great actor, great friend, great everything. He will be missed but not forgotten, love you Malcolm,” one fan wrote, echoing the sentiments of many.

Warner Will be Remembered For Some of His Best Roles

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Over the years, Warner took on many loveable, unforgettable roles. Most notably, many fans will remember him as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” Although this sitcom was Warner’s longest-standing role, it’s far from the only project he contributed to as an actor. In the late 90s, he played the eponymous Malcom in “Malcolm & Eddie,” appearing alongside fellow comedic actor Eddie Griffin. The pair’s hilarious antics as friends/roommates/co-workers created a highly watchable sitcom that ran for four seasons.

Outside of acting, Warner was also a talented musician and poet. His debut EP, the Miles Long Mixtape, represents a fusion of these skills with clear jazz influences.

His Death Was Caused by Accidental Drowning

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Warner died from accidental drowning. As Page Six reported, the actor was “caught by a high current” that pulled him under. Sadly, there were no lifeguards present at the time, with the Caribbean Guard noting that limited resources made it challenging to staff the beach appropriately. “Although there were people on the beach who entered the water to rescue him, they did not arrive in time,” a statement from the Caribbean Guard read. The actor leaves behind a wife and daughter, who lived private lives despite his fame.