R.I.P., Malcom-Jamal Warner: Bill Cosby, Tracee Ellis Ross, Morris Chestnut And More Pay Tribute To 'One Of The Nicest In The Business'

Co-stars and colleagues from Malcolm-Jamal Warner's more than four decades in television remembered The Cosby Show alum as news of his death spread Monday.

Warner reportedly drowned while swimming off the coast of Costa Rica Sunday. He was 54.

Bill Cosby, who played father Cliff Huxtable to Warner's Theo on The Cosby Show, told CBS News' Jericka Duncan that he last spoke to Warner "three months ago," and that he just spoke to his Cosby Show co-star Phylicia Rashad, who played mom Claire, about Warner's passing: "We were embracing each other over the phone about a dearly beloved friend."

Looking back at Warner's time on the Cosby Show set, Cosby recalled: "He was never afraid to go to his room and study. He knew his lines, and he was quite comfortable, even with the growing pains of being a teenager." Sadly, the news of Warner's death reminded Cosby "of the same call he received when his son died," his spokesperson Andrew Wyatt told People. (Cosby's son Ennis was killed in 1997 at age 27 in an attempted robbery.)

Tracee Ellis Ross, whose character was married to Warner's in the BET comedy Reed Between the Lines, posted her remembrance to "my first TV husband" Monday. "I love you, Malcolm," she wrote on Instagram. "First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world, then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I'm so sorry for this unimaginable loss."

One of Warner's longer-running TV roles was that of The Resident surgeon Dr. AJ Austin. Resident creator/showrunner Amy Holden Jones posted a photo of her with Warner in happier times. "Malcolm, I will love you always and am devastated beyond words," she wrote.

Meanwhile, Warner's Resident co-star (and current Watson star) Morris Chestnut said he was "heartbroken" over the loss. "Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor," Chestnut wrote on Instagram. "He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on."

Shaunette Renée Wilson, who played AJ's love interest Mina on The Resident, revealed on Instagram: "Last week I had the impulse to text you for one of our lengthy heart check-ins. I truly wish I had so that one of the last words I had of you were of your wisdom, kindness, and that uncanny ability you had to be both unserious and profound within a single sentence. I'm beyond heartbroken. You were such a dear friend to me. My heart goes out to the family and loved ones he leaves behind. I cannot conceive the amount of grief with such a tragedy. Rest in Power, Malcolm. It was a joy to be Mina to your AJ. I will miss you deeply."

Emily VanCamp, who played nurse practitioner Nic on The Resident, offered her own tribute to Warner on Instagram: "I'm not sure I have the words to express what a gift it was to know you and to work with you. Your thunderous laugh, the bear hugs, our chats about love, family and life. A true family man with so much integrity and an endlessly generous spirit. You walked the walk my friend. Sending all my love to your beautiful family and all of those who knew you and were close to you. Beyond heartbroken."

"This loss has devastated me," Community grad Yvette Nicole Brown posted underneath a video of Warner driving as he reminded viewers that "no matter what's going on, there's always a reason to smile." Warner recurred on the NBC comedy as Andre, sometime husband to Brown's Shirley.

Comedian Eddie Griffin and Warner co-starred in UPN's Malcolm & Eddie from 1996-2000. "R.I.P. King my Big little Brother," Griffin wrote over photos posted to his Instagram Story.

Sherri Shepherd, who co-starred with Warner on her Lifetime sitcom Sherri, said in a statement to TVLine that she was "completely devastated" by the news of Warner's death, adding that he brought "much laughter and gravitas" to the set. "As someone who grew up on TV, Malcolm remained one of the most grounded people I've ever met in our business. To know Malcolm was to know a renaissance man that possessed humor, grace, humility and deep cultural appreciation. He was just a good guy! His passing is a true loss to the Hollywood community. He was a proud girl dad and loved his daughter so much. To his family, friends and all who loved him — my heart is with you."

Mary McDonnell, who shared the screen with Warner for the three seasons he recurred on TNT's Major Crimes, also released the following statement: "Feeling deep sadness and grief today. This is a terrible loss of a beautiful life. I first worked with Malcolm in the late '80s Off Broadway. He was a star, he was kind, intuitive and gracious. I had the pleasure of working with him again on Major Crimes. He was all that plus wisdom and power. Malcolm, you changed the chemistry in every room you entered with that smile. Shocked and heartbroken. My deepest condolences to your beautiful family. I am so so sorry."

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