Adam Sandler Recalls Friendship With Malcolm-Jamal Warner After Shocking Death

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Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for starring in the TVsitcomTheCosby Show, has died at 54. He was swimming in Costa Rica off the coast of Playa Cocles, in the province of Limón.

NBC News reported, "[Malcolm-Jamal Warner] was swimming at Playa Cocles in Limon province when a current pulled him deeper into the ocean, [Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department] told the Associated Press. 'He was rescued by people on the beach,' the department’s initial report said, but first responders from Costa Rica’s Red Cross found him without vital signs and he was taken to the morgue."

EntertainmentTonightgota hold of Adam Sandler, who partially got his start onThe Cosby Showand worked closely with Malcolm-Jamal Warner. In the show, Malcolm-Jamal Warner's character, Theo Huxtable, was friends with Adam Sandler's character, Smitty.Sandler told the interviewer, when asked about the death of his friendMalcolm-Jamal Warner, that he "couldn't believe it." Adding "Malcolm was so nice to me when I was on the show."

Reminiscing about their friendship and time atThe Cosby Show, Adam Sandler added, "We had such good times together. You know, I was probably 18 and Malcolm was probably 17, 16, I don't know. And we would take walks together, all of us, and pick up food, talk, play basketball, hung out on the weekends, went to parties together."

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Reflecting on Malcolm's character, Adam Sandler continued, "He was so good to me as a person. And his mom was amazing too. I'm just sending my love to the family. Malcolm is a true, great person, hilarious, smart kid, and meant a lot to America."

At the end, Sandler closed off the interview by saying that Malcolm-Jamal Warner was an "Absolute great man, and I am so sorry to his wife and his child."

Related: Beach Where Malcolm-Jamal Warner Drowned Had Lifeguard Troubles

Related: 'TV Wife' of Malcolm-Jamal Warner Tracee Ellis Ross Leaves Heartfelt Goodbye Message

Adam Sandler Recalls Friendship With Malcolm-Jamal Warner After Shocking Death first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 22, 2025