Nadji Jeter is speaking out following the tragic loss of his former on-screen father, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. In a personal essay published by HuffPost, the “Reed Between the Lines” actor reflected on Warner’s role in his life, both as a TV dad and real-life mentor.
“The day I met Malcolm-Jamal Warner, I had to have been 13 or 14,” Jeter wrote. “We were doing the auditions and the pilot for Reed Between the Lines, which premiered on BET in 2011.”
From Co-Star to Father Figure: “He Took Me Under His Wing”
Jeter described Warner as more than just a castmate; he quickly became a guiding presence behind the scenes.
“He really took me under his wing and took that father role to another level,” Jeter shared. “Malcolm and I had a similar background of being raised by a single mom and not really having that father influence. So when he came into my life, he really took on a father figure role on and off camera.”
Teaching Integrity, Focus & Balance
Beyond their emotional connection, Jeter said Warner taught him how to carry himself in the entertainment world, with integrity and strength. “He helped me become a man in the industry,” Jeter wrote. “The attributes I admired most, and tried to emulate, were how he kept his integrity, focus, and how to maintain good balance with everything.”
Jeter Remains in Disbelief: “I Still Can’t Process It”
(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)Weeks after Warner’s passing, Jeter admitted he’s still grappling with the loss. “I still can’t process the fact that he’s really gone,” he wrote. “Growing up and still being able to call him whenever I could, and then to get that news was just … I’m still in disbelief.”
Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Life & Legacy
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for SCAD aTVfest 2020Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show”, passed away at the age of 54 on July 20. Warner died during a family vacation in Costa Rica after being caught in a rip current while swimming. Despite rescue efforts and CPR, the accident proved fatal.
While many knew Malcolm-Jamal Warner for his acting, music was another lifelong passion. What started as a casual interest in bass guitar during the mid-1990s soon became something more profound. He eventually took it further, studying music theory at the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
Entertainment Now/Getty ImagesThat commitment paid off. In 2015, Warner earned a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance, with several more nominations following in the years ahead.
“He loved to learn,” recalled Warner’s close friend & bandmate Dashiell Smith in an interview with the Post. “He never thought that he was too big to grow… He was always one to immerse himself into his passions.”
He is survived by his wife and daughter. Since the news broke, tributes have poured in from fans, peers, and colleagues who remember Warner for his warmth, mentorship, and lasting impact on television.
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Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s TV Son Speaks Out With Loving Tribute to Late Actor