Malcolm-Jamal Warner wanted to be remembered for his 'post-Cosby life'
Despite his star turn on "The Cosby Show," actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner once said his proudest achievement wasn't his memorable work as Theo Huxtable on the hit sitcom.
Warner, who was 54 when he died Sunday after drowning near a beach in Costa Rica, told the Television Academy back in 2013 that he wanted to be remembered for his life and career after "The Cosby Show" ended in 1992.
"I'd say my proudest achievement is being able to have a post-Cosby life and post-Cosby career and still have my head on as straight as possible," Warner said.
Warner was 13 when he started playing the Huxtable son on "The Cosby Show." He would go on to portray Theo for eight seasons from 1984 until 1992, until he was 21, and arguably grew up on the show set himself.
"I've had such an awesome life. You know, I literally, I've got my ups and downs and all of that, but if I die tomorrow, I know I would go with a smile on my face," Warner said in his Television Academy interview.
"I haven't wronged anybody to get ahead, and people that I may have hurt or wronged unintentionally, I've had the opportunity to own up to those things and be responsible for my part," he continued.
Even though he was a child star, Warner seemed to adjust well over the years to fame and life in Hollywood. He was also married and had a daughter.
"I have peace of mind and for me, you can't put a price on that," he told the Television Academy. "And I can definitely say that I feel successful in my post-Cosby life and having a peace of mind."
