Malcolm-Jamal Warner of ‘The Cosby Show' dies at 54
According to Costa Rica's judicial investigation department (OIJ), Warner was pulled out to sea by strong currents and pronounced dead at the scene by Red Cross lifeguards. His representatives have yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
Warner rose to fame as Theo Huxtable, the only son of Cliff Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby, in *The Cosby Show*. The series, which aired from 1984 to 1992, was groundbreaking for its positive portrayal of a Black American family, countering prevailing stereotypes of the time.
Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was named after civil rights leader Malcolm X and jazz musician Ahmad Jamal. His mother, Pamela, managed his early acting career, which led him to attend The Professional Children's School in New York.
Though he had minor roles before *The Cosby Show*, his performance as Theo became his breakout role, earning him an Emmy nomination in 1986 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Warner later appeared in spin-off *A Different World* and had notable roles in *Sons of Anarchy* and *Suits*.
Warner, who was private about his personal life, is survived by his wife and daughter, whose names he never publicly disclosed. - Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Doctor who supplied drugs to 'Friends' star Matthew Perry pleads guilty
LOS ANGELES: A doctor who supplied Matthew Perry with ketamine pleaded guilty on Wednesday in connection with the 2023 drug overdose death of the "Friends" star, US media reported. Salvador Plasencia, 43, one of five people charged over Perry's death, pleaded guilty in a federal court in Los Angeles to four counts of distribution of ketamine. Plasencia is to be sentenced on December 3 and faces up to 40 years in prison. "Dr. Plasencia is profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry," Rolling Stone magazine quoted Plasencia's lawyer, Karen Goldstein, as saying in a statement. "He is fully accepting responsibility by pleading guilty to drug distribution," Goldstein said. Plasencia did not provide Perry with the fatal dose of ketamine but supplied the actor with the drug in the weeks before he was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home. Another doctor, Mark Chavez, pleaded guilty in October to conspiring to distribute ketamine to Perry. Plasencia allegedly bought ketamine off Chavez and sold it to the American-Canadian actor at hugely inflated prices. "I wonder how much this moron will pay," Plasencia wrote in one text message presented by prosecutors. Jasveen Sangha, the alleged "Ketamine Queen" who supplied drugs to high-end clients and celebrities, is charged with selling Perry the dose that killed him. She has pleaded not guilty. Perry's live-in personal assistant and another man pleaded guilty in August to charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. - AFP
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
These tips from experts can help your teenager navigate AI companions
Bruce Perry, 17, demonstrates Character AI, an artificial intelligence chatbot software that allows users to chat with popular characters such as EVE from Disney's 2008 animated film WALL-E in Russellville, Arkansas. — AP As artificial intelligence technology becomes part of daily life, adolescents are turning to chatbots for advice, guidance and conversation. The appeal is clear: Chatbots are patient, never judgmental, supportive and always available. That worries experts who say the booming AI industry is largely unregulated and that many parents have no idea about how their kids are using AI tools or the extent of personal information they are sharing with chatbots. New research shows more than 70% of American teenagers have used AI companions and more than half converse with them regularly. The study by Common Sense Media focused on "AI companions,' like Character. AI, Nomi and Replika, which it defines as "digital friends or characters you can text or talk with whenever you want,' versus AI assistants or tools like ChatGPT, though it notes they can be used the same way. It's important that parents understand the technology. Experts suggest some things parents can do to help protect their kids: – Start a conversation, without judgment, says Michael Robb, head researcher at Common Sense Media. Approach your teen with curiosity and basic questions: "Have you heard of AI companions?' "Do you use apps that talk to you like a friend?' Listen and understand what appeals to your teen before being dismissive or saying you're worried about it. – Help teens recognise that AI companions are programmed to be agreeable and validating. Explain that's not how real relationships work and that real friends with their own points of view can help navigate difficult situations in ways that AI companions cannot. "One of the things that's really concerning is not only what's happening on screen but how much time it's taking kids away from relationships in real life,' says Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association. "We need to teach kids that this is a form of entertainment. It's not real, and it's really important they distinguish it from reality and should not have it replace relationships in your actual life.' The APA recently put out a health advisory on AI and adolescent well-being, and tips for parents. – Parents should watch for signs of unhealthy attachments. "If your teen is preferring AI interactions over real relationships or spending hours talking to AI companions, or showing that they are becoming emotionally distressed when separated from them – those are patterns that suggest AI companions might be replacing rather than complementing human connection,' Robb says. – Parents can set rules about AI use, just like they do for screen time and social media. Have discussions about when and how AI tools can and cannot be used. Many AI companions are designed for adult use and can mimic romantic, intimate and role-playing scenarios. While AI companions may feel supportive, children should understand the tools are not equipped to handle a real crisis or provide genuine mental health support. If kids are struggling with depression, anxiety, loneliness, an eating disorder or other mental health challenges, they need human support – whether it is family, friends or a mental health professional. – Get informed. The more parents know about AI, the better. "I don't think people quite get what AI can do, how many teens are using it and why it's starting to get a little scary,' says Prinstein, one of many experts calling for regulations to ensure safety guardrails for children. "A lot of us throw our hands up and say, 'I don't know what this is!' This sounds crazy!' Unfortunately, that tells kids if you have a problem with this, don't come to me because I am going to diminish it and belittle it.' Older teenagers have advice, too, for parents and kids. Banning AI tools is not a solution because the technology is becoming ubiquitous, says Ganesh Nair, 18. "Trying not to use AI is like trying to not use social media today. It is too ingrained in everything we do,' says Nair, who is trying to step back from using AI companions after seeing them affect real-life friendships in his high school. "The best way you can try to regulate it is to embrace being challenged.' "Anything that is difficult, AI can make easy. But that is a problem,' says Nair. "Actively seek out challenges, whether academic or personal. If you fall for the idea that easier is better, then you are the most vulnerable to being absorbed into this newly artificial world.' – AP
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Another day added to My Chemical Romance KL concert
KUALA LUMPUR: Fans of My Chemical Romance (MCR) have a chance to catch the popular American rock band in Malaysia as a second concert day has been added for May 1. The concert's organiser, Hello Universe, announced the good news via it's social media feed today, saying that, "You manifested hard and you have been heard Malaysia!" It added in a post: "Get ready for the one and only 2nd show added for South East Asia! This is your last chance to be part of one of the biggest nights in emo rock. Further details regarding waitlist access will be provided soon." Tickets to the new dae will go on sale on Aug 1 at 10am via The update follows complaints from MCR fans who were disappointed after tickets to the band's initial concert on April 30 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium were sold out in 90 minutes after going on sale.
