Regina King Honors Malcolm-Jamal Warner: A Legacy of Love and Loss
EXCLUSIVE
Regina King Pays Tribute to Ex-Boyfriend Malcolm-Jamal Warner After His Shocking Death at 54: "Some People Leave a Lasting Imprint"
In a stunning turn of events, The Cosby Show alum Malcolm-Jamal Warner has passed away at the age of 54 in an accidental drowning while on vacation in Costa Rica. And now, his ex-girlfriend Regina King is speaking out about their tumultuous relationship and his untimely demise.
The Academy Award-winning actress took to Instagram Stories Monday, sharing a series of memorials for her late beau. "Some people leave a lasting imprint, not just for who they were but for the energy they carried," she wrote alongside a photo of Warner riding a motorcycle. King's tribute was met with an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow celebrities alike.
The Los Angeles native, 54, also shared a second photo of Warner on his motorcycle, captioning it "Ride in power." The post comes just days after news broke of Warner's death on Sunday while visiting Playa Cocles in the Limon province of Costa Rica. According to authorities, Warner was drawn into the water by a current and drowned despite attempts at rescue.
King's relationship with Warner has been well-documented over the years. The two dated from 2011 to 2013, with King speaking candidly about their romance in interviews. "Malcolm and I have a lot in common," she told Essence in 2011. "We've both been child actors and were also blessed to be raised by incredible mothers who instilled good values in us." Warner himself gushed about the relationship in an interview with BET, saying, "We like to protect what we have because it's very special and very precious."
But despite their initial romance, King and Warner ultimately parted ways in 2013. King took to Twitter at the time to reassure fans that the split was amicable, writing, "Hey everybody PLEASE don't believe everything you read... Me & MalcolmJamalWar are good." She later told US Weekly in 2015 about the aftermath of their breakup, saying, "Someone broke up with me on Valentine's. Yeah. I'm serious. Then he actually sent me flowers that said, 'I still love you,' and I threw the flowers in the trash, and he was upset that I threw them in the trash, and I was like, 'F* you.'"
Warner's career spanned over four decades, with notable roles on TV shows such as The Cosby Show, Malcolm & Eddie, Listen Up, and Read Between the Lines. He also had featured roles on drama shows like The Resident and Jeremiah. In a 2015 interview with AP, Warner spoke about his drive to maintain a successful career after The Cosby Show went off the air. "I grew up with a maniacal obsession with not wanting to be one of those 'Where are they now kids,'" he said. "I feel very blessed to be able to have all of these avenues of expression... to be where I am now and finally at a place where I can let go of that worry about having a life after Cosby."
Warner's death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with many of his former co-stars and colleagues taking to social media to pay their respects. As news of Warner's passing spreads, fans are left to mourn the loss of a beloved TV icon.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story at thescholarlynote.com!
