Eddie Griffin Responds to Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s ‘Sudden Passing’: “My Heart Is Heavy”

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the entertainment world is mourning the unexpected passing of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner at the age of 54. Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” reportedly drowned while on a family vacation in Costa Rica this past Sunday. The tragic news was first reported by TMZ, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes from friends, fans, and fellow actors.

Eddie Griffin, who starred alongside Warner in the sitcom “Malcolm & Eddie,” was among the first to respond to the news. Taking to Instagram, Griffin shared a post about Warner’s drowning, captioning it, “My big little brother,” and accompanied the message with prayer hands and heart emojis. He later expressed his sorrow in a follow-up post, stating, “My heart is heavy right now. Rest easy, my brother, for you have won in life, and now you’ve won forever. Internal bliss.”

What makes Griffin’s response particularly poignant is the complex nature of their relationship. Despite sharing the screen as best friends, Griffin and Warner had a tumultuous dynamic off-camera. In a previous interview, Warner disclosed that the two did not get along during their time on “Malcolm & Eddie.” He explained, “We didn’t necessarily have to love each other while we were making the show,” highlighting the professional respect they maintained despite their differences.

Warner’s struggles with the entertainment industry’s portrayal of Black characters also influenced his feelings about working on the show. He described his time on “Malcolm & Eddie” as potentially “the four most miserable years of my life,” reflecting on the shift from the values promoted in “The Cosby Show” to what he felt were negative stereotypes on UPN.

The shockwaves from Warner’s passing have reverberated throughout the industry. Darius McCrary, known for his role as Eddie Winslow on “Family Matters,” shared his reaction on Instagram with a simple yet powerful meme captioned “Processing.” While the closeness of McCrary and Warner’s relationship remains unclear, it is known that McCrary had previously acknowledged Warner on special occasions, wishing him happy birthdays over the years.

In addition to Griffin and McCrary, other notable figures have expressed their condolences. Wayne Brady took to CNN’s comment section to mourn the loss, stating, “What a loss. God bless you, brother,” while Jamie Foxx shared his sorrow on Instagram, captioning his post with “Speechless on this one. Rest in power, my brother.”

As for the circumstances surrounding Warner’s death, ABC7 News reported that he succumbed to asphyxia, a condition that leads to suffocation and loss of breath. Local authorities indicated that Warner was caught in a strong current while swimming and was discovered off the coast near Kacos, a beach in Lemon, Costa Rica, on Sunday afternoon.

At this time, Warner’s family and representatives have not issued an official statement regarding his passing. As the entertainment community continues to come to terms with this devastating loss, updates will be provided as more information emerges.

Reporting live from the Iris Club in Atlanta for Comedy App News, this is John Aba.