The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, 2025, featured a heartfelt second as legendary actress Phylicia Rashad paid tribute to her Cosby Show co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who handed away in July.

Rashad, who portrayed Clair Huxtable, delivered a shifting speech throughout the annual “In Memoriam” section, honoring Warner as each a colleague and a cultural determine who left a long-lasting imprint on tv.

From Child Star to revered actor:

Standing earlier than a hushed viewers, Rashad mirrored on Warner’s journey from little one star to revered actor and artist. “He was a beloved teenager in an iconic television series who the world watched grow into manhood,” she stated. Rashad continued, reminding viewers that Warner’s contributions would endure past his bodily presence: “And like all our friends and colleagues who transitioned this past year, Malcolm-Jamal Warner remains in our hearts.”

Her phrases emphasised the common affect of tv artists, chatting with the timeless nature of their work: “Tonight, as is tradition at the Emmys, we remember them not just for their immense talent but also for the way they made us believe in something bigger, the best that is within us.”

Rashad additionally reassured audiences that Warner’s affect will proceed to resonate: “Even although they might not be right here with us, we are able to all smile understanding that their affect will stay, understanding that their lasting impressions will proceed to reside on by way of story, understanding that they touched our lives.

She concluded with a message in regards to the everlasting mild of artistry: “Whether you grew up watching them or have just now discovered their brilliance, their light remains in the very fabric of our industry.”