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Malcolm-Jamal Warner's passing in late July 2025 resulted in an outpouring of support for his family, as well as tributes to the late star of "The Cosby Show."

The thing is, the actor specifically spoke about how he wanted to be remembered on an episode of the "Hot & Bothered" podcast, which was released almost two months prior to his death.

We're going to take a look at what the performer said in the sit-down and examine how he wanted his legacy to be perceived by his fans and loved ones.

Warner's main concern regarding his legacy wasn't his list of roles or the accolades he earned along the way -- he just wanted people to think of him as a decent human being.

The actor said there was a "part of me" he figured would be remembered by the people he left behind who knew "that I was a good person."

Warner then spoke about a discussion he had with his father, who acknowledged his professional achievements before telling him he felt "the most proud" about his son learning how to carry himself in a respectable manner.

The performer claimed, despite all the conflict he'd seen in his life, he still believed it was "possible to maintain your soul and be a good person."

Warner acknowledged he would likely be remembered by many for his role in "The Cosby Show," which he understood had a lasting impact on generations of fans.

The actor also said his own mother had spoken to him about the impact his portrayal of Theo Huxtable would have on his life and told him, "Mr. [Bill] Cosby gave you immortality."

Warner claimed he was still "working through" the impression he had left following the show's conclusion before expressing he'd accomplished more than enough outside of "The Cosby Show" to leave behind a lasting image on his friends and family members.

The performer stated he had "another lane of legacy that I get to leave" due to leading "this full life after that show."

Part of the podcast was dedicated to discussing grief and how to move through it, and Warner opened up about watching his grandfather pass away when he was just 15 years old.

The performer recalled how he "literally watched him take his last breath," and claimed he was able to see what he described as the "peace that comes over" dying individuals in his grandfather's face.

While Warner admitted he "was sad and all of that" and described the experience as "emotional," he said part of accepting death was realizing the potential to leave a positive legacy behind.

He then spoke about how deceased individuals who were remembered as "good people" were "being rewarded" in a certain way.

We revealed Warner passed away at the age of 54 while vacationing with his daughter in Costa Rica.

Local police reported the actor was caught in a strong current while swimming at a beach in the coastal town of Limon and drowned, with the official cause of death being asphyxia, according to ABC News.

The actor's death was met with much sympathy from his fans, including Ice Cube, who told us Warner brought "realness" to television through his work in "The Cosby Show."

Judge Judy isn’t holding back on her signature zingers -- she went all in, dropping some serious truth bombs when asked about Stephen Colbert’s late show cancellation.

We ran into the former TV judge in New York Tuesday, and she made it crystal clear -- she thinks Trump has nothing to do with the show’s end next May. Instead, it’s all about the show losing money.

Catch the clip... because JJ drops the truth bomb -- CBS is all about making money, so they’ve gotta do what they’ve gotta do -- or else, they’d be looking at a lawsuit!

David Letterman isn't staying quiet following the news "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" is coming to an end -- but instead of issuing a statement, he's letting his old jokes do the talking.

The show's former host posted a video montage to YouTube on Monday, featuring clips of him roasting CBS throughout his two-decade run on the late-night show from 1993 to 2015. The compilation includes moments from episodes aired between 1994 and 2013, showcasing his long history of poking fun at the Tiffany network.

The particularly telling detail is Letterman's caption on the YouTube video, which reads, "You can't spell CBS without BS." Many online quickly took notice -- interpreting the caption as a not-so-subtle dig at CBS and a show of support for Colbert.

Raven-Symoné was rocked by the shocking news of her former 'Cosby Show' costar Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s death -- so much so, her wife was seen consoling her big time.

Catch the clip Tuesday ... Raven makes it clear she’s not holding up well, admitting she’s already been through a lot of family losses -- so Malcolm-Jamal’s death was just a lot for her to take in.

It was clear Raven needed a moment to let the heartbreaking news sink in ... because at one point, her wife Miranda Maday was seen hugging her tightly for support.

Stephen Colbert wildly cursed President Donald Trump out Monday night after he celebrated the cancellation of 'The Late Show' last week in a succinct yet powerful message.

Catch the clip -- the longtime late-night show host held nothing back as he blasted Trump, slamming him by saying, "How dare you, sir? ... Go f*** yourself."

He later confirmed he's gonna be fearless and frank going forward ... noting his "gloves are off." He added ... "I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump, starting right now: I don’t care for him."

3:40 PM PT -- TMZ has just learned there was a second individual who was injured during the incident. The Costa Rican Red Cross tells TMZ ... the second individual was rushed to a local clinic in critical condition. Their current condition is unknown.

3:10 PM PT -- Judicial Investigation Agency tells TMZ ... Malcolm was rescued by bystanders and taken to the shore where he received aid from the Costa Rican Red Cross. He was declared dead at the scene. The body was sent to the Judicial Morgue in San Joaquín de Flores, Heredia for an autopsy.

10:53 AM PT -- Warner died of asphyxia after he was caught by a high current in the ocean, according to ABC News. His body was reportedly found Sunday afternoon.

"The Cosby Show" alum Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died in Costa Rica at the age of 54, TMZ has learned.

TMZ has a reliable source who says Warner died as a result of an accidental drowning while he was vacationing with his daughter.

As you know, Malcolm‑Jamal Warner straight‑up owned the '80s as Theodore Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," snagging an Emmy nod and locking in his spot in TV royalty.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner charmed his way into the hearts of "The Cosby Show's" fans for his portrayal of Theo Huxtable, which lasted for the entirety of the program's run.

The thing is, the late performer took on plenty of work following the end of the hit sitcom, which ran for a total of eight seasons.

We're going to take a look back at what Warner was involved with following the end of the program ... and check out how the actor ended up receiving a Grammy Award.

Following the conclusion of "The Cosby Show," Warner jumped from project to project, and he  signed on to voice The Producer in over forty episodes of "The Magic School Bus."

Malcolm‑Jamal Warner was looking forward to some R & R in Costa Rica just one week before his tragic passing at 54, and his arrival there was captured in what could be the final public pic of him.

The actor was photographed at the airport in CR, looking relaxed and low‑key on July 13. He had just arrived on a flight from Atlanta ... exactly one week before his tragic death by drowning.

TMZ broke the story ... Malcolm-Jamal's body was found Sunday after he got caught in an ocean current, resulting in his accidental drowning.

Dog the Bounty Hunter's family is going through a personal tragedy ... because his stepson shot and killed his step-grandson in what we're told was an accidental shooting.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Gregory Zecca -- son of Dog's wife, Francie -- shot his 13-year-old son Anthony in a freak accident at their apartment in Naples, Florida Saturday night.

Law enforcement confirms to us they responded to a call about a shooting around 8 PM ET. They haven't made any arrests and call this an "isolated incident." The investigation is ongoing.

Eileen Fulton, the actress who became a household name through her role as Lisa Grimaldi on "As the World Turns," has died at the age of 91.

Fulton passed away on Monday, July 14, in Asheville, North Carolina, following a period of declining health, according to an obituary shared by Groce Funeral Home.

After studying drama and music at Greensboro College, she moved to New York City in 1956. Her breakout came in 1960 when she appeared in the film "Girl of the Night."

Dave Portnoy's not sorry to see Stephen Colbert's show ending ... pointing out this is just capitalism at work -- lose millions, find a new job!

The Barstool Sports founder took to X Saturday to fire off about CBS' cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" ... calling out Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders -- among others -- for claiming Paramount was politically motivated to give him the axe.

ICYMI ... Colbert went after his own network in his monologue early this week -- likening a $16 million lawsuit settlement over a "60 Minutes" interview President Donald Trump claimed was deceptively edited to a "big, fat bribe." A move Dave says is just pure "arrogance."

Tom Bergeron's hosting a new dance competition ... though the new contestants are a whole lot more dangerous than your average group of celebrities -- these are some of the ocean's most dangerous predators.

The former "Dancing with the Stars" host joined us on "TMZ Live" Friday to discuss his new show for Shark Week titled "Dancing with Sharks" ... where professional shark handlers are training with a choreographer, hopping in the water and teaching the animals how to boogie!

Bergeron jokes sharks like to lead -- after all, they're some of the scariest fish out there, so they certainly ain't afraid to forge their own paths -- but, he adds, it's pretty safe ... 'cause the shark handlers have worked with creatures like these for years and know what to do.

Reality TV star Sydnee Falkner may have skyrocketed to fame on Netflix's "Million Dollar Secret," but when it comes to her smokin' social media shots ... there's absolutely no kept secret!

After grabbing the audience on the hit reality series, she's since scored features in hot entertainment mediums like Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire -- not to mention landing some hefty partnerships.

Leaving little to the imagination, the blonde bombshell rocked this bedazzled mini-dress at last night's Netflix nomination dinner. Other reality TV stars like Phillip Soloman from "Deal or No deal Island" and Jasmine Goode from "The Valley" joined in for the fun!

Soak up sizzling shots like these -- Sydnee surfaced above the surface in a hot-pink bikini for a quick hot tub photo-op 🔥!

Stephen Colbert’s dropping the mic on late-night TV next year, and looks like the talk-show king is seriously beloved ... 'cause the celebs are freaking out over the news.

Ben Stiller, Rachel Zegler, "Severance" star Adam Scott and others flooded social media with their heartbreak over the announced ending of 'The Late Show' -- their reaction coming after Stephen dropped the bombshell on Thursday night’s episode, admitting he was just as shocked at the news.

Stephen Colbert will finally get to embrace the life of a morning person ... 'cause he's got one more season and then he's leaving late-night television behind.

More specifically, CBS announced that "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" is officially coming to an end ... which, of course, means its host will need to look for new work after May 2026.

The company made the announcement Thursday ... calling the move "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

Huda Mustafa says Chris Seeley's talking a lot about their amorous activities for someone who didn't give her the ride of her life ... claiming he only "barely" put it in when they had sex!

The "Love Island USA" star stopped by Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast to discuss her time on the show ... and dished on the sexual prowess of her partner on the show, Chris Seeley.

Cooper asks if Seeley talked to Huda before telling other people in the villa they'd done the deed ... and, she says not only did they not have a discussion -- but, the extent of their sexual activity was totally overblown, too.