Phylicia Rashad opened the “In Memoriam” segment at Sunday night’s Emmy Awards with a heartfelt tribute to her late Malcolm-Jamal Warner, her longtime on-screen son from “The Cosby Show,” who died at the age of 54.
The tribute came just months after Warner’s sudden death from an accidental drowning while vacationing in Costa Rica. The actor, best known for playing Theo Huxtable across all eight seasons of “The Cosby Show,” earned an Emmy nomination in 1986 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Rashad, who portrayed Clair Huxtable, stood center stage as photos of departed television figures played behind her. Warner’s legacy extended far beyond his breakout role. After “The Cosby Show” ended in 1992, he built a steady career with roles in series like “9-1-1” and “The Resident,” while also working behind the camera and pursuing music.