Phylicia Rashad Honors Malcolm-Jamal Warner With Emotional Tribute At 2025 Emmy Awards

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

Rashad, who portrayed Clair Huxtable, delivered a moving speech during the annual “In Memoriam” segment, honoring Warner as both a colleague and a cultural figure who left a lasting imprint on television.

Standing before a hushed audience, Rashad reflected on Warner’s journey from child star to respected actor and artist. “He was a beloved teenager in an iconic television series who the world watched grow into manhood,” she said. Rashad continued, reminding viewers that Warner’s contributions would endure beyond his physical presence: “And like all our friends and colleagues who transitioned this past year, Malcolm-Jamal Warner remains in our hearts.”

Her words emphasized the universal impact of television artists, speaking to 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 also reassured audiences that Warner’s influence will continue to resonate: “Even though they may no longer be here with us, we can all smile knowing that their impact will remain, knowing that their lasting impressions will continue to live on through story, knowing that they touched our lives.

She concluded with a message about the eternal light 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.”

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Warner, 54, tragically died in July 2025 while vacationing in Costa Rica after an accidental drowning. The actor, director, and musician was widely admired for his talent and authenticity, most famously for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, where he became a cultural icon of 1980s and 1990s television.