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Bill Cosby Pays Tribute to Malcolm-Jamal Warner

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Bill Cosby—long regarded as television’s most iconic father figure—shared his thoughts on the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor who portrayed Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show

Published

1 year ago

July 23, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

In a wide-ranging and reflective appearance on the Black Press of America’s Let It Be Known, Bill Cosby—long regarded as television’s most iconic father figure—shared his thoughts on the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor who portrayed Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show. Warner, 54, reportedly drowned, and his passing has struck a deep chord with generations who grew up watching the groundbreaking series. Speaking with his trademark blend of intellect, personal memory, and cultural clarity, Cosby honored Warner’s legacy while revisiting the impact of The Cosby Show, a series that helped reshape how Black family life was portrayed on television.

“I heard about Malcolm’s drowning,” Cosby said. “And then Pam [Warner’s mother] called me about a day after Malcolm drowned… She picked up the phone. I said, ‘Hello.’ And then I heard a sound… it was weak. She didn’t say a word at first. Then she said, ‘Oh, Bill.’ I did not stay on the phone much longer. That was enough.” Cosby described Warner’s mother, Pamela, as a devoted parent who played a central role in guiding her son’s life and career. “She laughs and she jokes, but she doesn’t play,” Cosby said. “She was very hands-on. And her love for Malcolm was unwavering.”

He also shared that Phylicia Rashad, who played Claire Huxtable, reached out to him following the news of Warner’s death. “There was a call from Claire Huxtable—that is, Phylicia. She made the same call,” Cosby recalled, providing a sense of the emotional toll the loss has taken on the close-knit cast. Cosby explained that the character of Theo was drawn directly from his real-life son, Ennis, and their conversations about education, responsibility, and identity. “Ennis once said, ‘I just want to be regular people,’” Cosby said. “Smoke began to form between both ears.” That real-life experience became one of the most famous on the show— with Cosby’s character telling Warner’s, “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

The iconic television star praised Warner’s discipline, intellect, and dedication. “Malcolm was very intelligent, very efficient, and he loved life,” Cosby recalled. “He and Ennis became close friends. We developed Theo’s character together, based on real life.” The conversation expanded beyond individual memories to a larger examination of The Cosby Show’s cultural mission. Cosby spoke in detail about the importance of platforming Black professionals, Black family structure, and historically Black colleges and universities. “We didn’t buy tickets to get here,” Cosby said, referring to the historical journey of Black Americans. “Our ancestors were brought here to work for free. And for Cliff and Claire Huxtable to come from one floor in the South and become a doctor and a lawyer—this was about dignity, about love, and about excellence.”

Cosby, who broke barriers in the 1960s with the television show, “I Spy,” also spoke about education as a life-long pursuit—both in and outside the classroom. He recounted his son’s challenges with dyslexia and how those experiences shaped the show’s themes, particularly in episodes focused on learning styles and academic self-confidence. And he credited Warner for bringing those stories to life on screen with care and truth. “He was free,” Cosby said. “And that tape needs to be heard,” referencing a performance Warner gave with the Minnesota Symphony. “He called me after the concert and said, ‘I did exactly what I wanted to do.’” When asked about the possibility of remakes of classic films like Let’s Do It Again or Uptown Saturday Night, Cosby didn’t hesitate.

“There’s no sense in remaking something just because you liked it,” he said. “Talk about your own life. You’d be surprised how interesting your own life is.” Cosby closed the interview not with sorrow, but with purpose. “This is not to get angry,” he said. “This is to celebrate a man—54 years old, asphyxiated, swept out to sea. His life, and where he wanted to go, should be remembered.” He added, “It’s difficult to work against heaven.” Cosby also acknowledged civil rights legends like Dick Gregory and Rachel Robinson and spoke about why he has always stood with the Black Press. “Dick Gregory told me, always remember the Black Press,” Cosby said. “Take out ads, do the interviews, support them. And I have.”

In one of the most striking moments of the interview, Cosby shared a lesson from his grandmother—an uneducated woman in formal terms, but, as Cosby made clear, a profound thinker. “She asked me, is the glass half full or half empty?” Cosby recalled. “I told her that’s what we were discussing in class. And she said, ‘Well, it depends on if you’re pouring or drinking.’ That’s the kind of wisdom we come from.” He ended the conversation with a charge to everyone: to reflect, to create, and above all, to tell their own stories.

“All you have to do is celebrate,” he insisted. “And do the correct thing.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

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Oakland Post

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.