Warner drowned on July 20 whereas vacationing together with his household in Costa Rica, based on his representatives. The Emmy-nominated actor and Grammy-winning musician leaves behind a decades-spanning legacy in tv, music, and spoken phrase.

Keisha Knight Pulliam, who portrayed Rudy Huxtable reverse Warner’s Theo on the NBC sitcom from 1984 to 1992, shared a video of Warner performing bass guitar at City Winery in Atlanta. “A week ago I lost my big brother, but I gained an angel,” she wrote. “I love you… I miss you… We got our girls,” referring to Warner’s spouse and daughter.

The duo’s on-screen sibling dynamic turned one of many present’s emotional anchors, and their friendship endured lengthy after the sequence ended. Warner’s tv résumé expanded effectively past The Cosby Show, with roles on Malcolm & Eddie, The Resident, and Showtime’s Jeremiah alongside Luke Perry. He additionally co-starred within the CBS comedy Listen Up with Jason Alexander.

In addition to his performing profession, Warner pursued music and poetry. He received a Grammy in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Jesus Children” with Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway. He acquired a nomination in 2023 for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album for Hiding in Plain View.

Warner additionally lent his voice to social commentary via the podcast Not All Hood (NAH), which he co-hosted with journalist Candace O. Kelley. The present explored the lived experiences of Black Americans via cultural and political conversations.

Warner is survived by his spouse, daughter, and a physique of labor that continues to resonate throughout generations.