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\n\tMalcolm-Jamal Warner<\/a>\u2018s former co-stars and industry peers have paid tribute to the late \u201cCosby Show\u201d star after he died in a drowning accident at age 54.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI love you, Malcolm,\u201d Tracee Ellis Ross wrote on Instagram<\/a> alongside a carousel of photos of her with Warner on the press tour of the BET sitcom \u201cReed Between the Lines,\u201d on which they played a married couple. \u201cFirst I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I\u2019m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tEddie Griffin, who starred alongside Warner on the UPN sitcom \u201cMalcolm & Eddie,\u201d posted a photo of Warner on his Instagram story with the words \u201cR.I.P. King\u201d and \u201cMy big little brother,\u201d with prayer and heart emojis.<\/p>\n \n\tLater, Griffin sent an expanded statement to Variety: \u201cMy Heart is heavy today\u2026 For what the world lost was a Father a Son a Poet a Musician an Actor a Teacher a Writer a Director a Friend a Warrior that I had the pleasure of going to war with against the Hollywood machine and sometimes with each other because that\u2019s what Brothers do but the Love was and is always there\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe You\u2019ve taught me so much and I thank you \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe Rest Well My Big little Brother \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tNiecy Nash also posted a photo<\/a> with Warner on Instagram, writing, \u201cMy God, we just spoke. You were giving my my flowers for my work in <\/a>[FX\u2019s \u2018Grotesquerie\u2019]\u00a0and we talked about how happy we both were in our marriages. Damn friend. You were cornerstone of The Cosby Show. We all loved Theo! Never to be forgotten. You will be missed. Rest Easy.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tAngela Bassett, who worked with Warner on \u201c9-1-1,\u201d remembered him in a statement, writing, \u201cWhen I met him, he was a star on the show that was TV royalty, \u2018The Cosby Show.\u2019 He warmly embraced me as a working actor who was trying to find my way. Even in his youth, Malcolm\u2019s empathy, quiet strength, and his bright light surrounded us all. Then to have the opportunity to work with him again last year on \u20189-1-1 \u2018was a memorable full circle moment for us both.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIn this life, Malcolm is what\u2019s known as a soulful artist whose deep commitment to his craft left an impression on me that has never faded. He carried the weight of cultural legacy with grace, and he always made space for others to shine. His light will remain in our hearts always. My prayers are with you and yours. Rest in perfect peace until we meet again,\u201d Bassett concluded.<\/p>\n \n\tWendell Pierce said in a statement, \u201cI first met Malcolm Jamal Warner over 25 years ago when we did \u2018Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream\u2019 by William Shakespeare. A man of deep goodness, warmth, talent, and charm. He challenged himself in music, art, cinema, spoken word and writing. We did Shakespeare together, crime drama and played dear friends on TV at one point. Art imitating life. Forever youthful, he had a huge capacity for joy but admonished those who did not afford him the respect he had earned with his work. He exercised his right of self determination. A tragic loss of a man who demonstrated the best in our humanity.\u201d <\/p>\n \n\tCourtney B. Vance said, \u201cIt is with such a heavy heart that we bid farewell to a man who was a friend and colleague to so many of us. When Malcolm was in the room, we all felt his good and kind spirit. He was not just a hard worker. He was a man with integrity and honor. He grew up in this business, serving as a beacon of possibilities for young people to see what it means to have this career and have a real life. In paying tribute to Malcolm, I believe the lyrics from the hymn, \u2018He\u2019ll Understand and Say Well Done,\u2019 are most fitting in honoring him on today: \u201cOh, when I come to the end of my journey, Weary of life and the battle is won; Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption, He\u2019ll understand and say, \u2018Well done\u2019\u2026If when this life of labor is ended, And the reward of the race you have run; Oh! The sweet rest that\u2019s prepared for the faithful, Will be their blest and last, \u2018Well done.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tRest in eternal peace, my good brother. We will always remember you! To Malcolm\u2019s mother, wife, & family, you have our deepest condolences.\u201d <\/p>\n