A kind soul lost too soon, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, a beloved "Cosby Show" star, passed away in Costa Rica.

It was said that the current that dragged him under was exceptionally powerful, the kind of natural force that does not warn and does not care about your identity or the things you have given the world. Malcolm had also contributed a great deal.

He was more than simply a TV character to those of us who grew up watching him; he was a constant presence, a well-known face in the living room every Thursday night, and a representation of a young Black man developing with complexity, heart, and wit. He made intelligence hip. He made kindness seem powerful.

"He was just a decent man."

It was explained simply and perfectly by Sherri Shepherd, who portrayed Warner's wife in the 2009 sitcom Sherri:

"He was just a decent man."

However, that was not all.

"Knowing Malcolm was like knowing a Renaissance man—someone who lived with humor, grace, and a strong sense of cultural pride," she said. "Hollywood has truly suffered a loss with his passing."

In addition to being Warner's co-star in Reed Between the Lines, Tracee Ellis Ross recalled him as a man who exuded warmth and groundedness:

She remarked, "What a friend and what an actor you were gentle, compassionate, present, witty, exquisite." "You brought joy to the world."

It is difficult to come up with a more appropriate homage.

A Soul, Not Just a Star

Those close to him recognized a man who was profoundly soulful, inquisitive, and intellectual, but most others knew him as Theo. He was not trying to make headlines. He was creating a significant body of work.

Magic Johnson, who frequently ran across Warner over the years, remembered their chats about life more than celebrity.

"We had long, enjoyable chats about basketball, life, and business every time we crossed paths," he remarked. "He will be sincerely missed."

He was commended by the NAACP for his cultural contributions and for helping to make the stories come to life.

They wrote, "Your legacy will continue to inspire."

From Bill Cosby: A Difficult Farewell

In an interview with CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan, even the controversial Bill Cosby expressed his sentiments. When he referred to Warner as a "dearly beloved friend," it seemed as though decades' worth of grief, both good and bad, were crumbling beneath him.

We Were Unprepared to Lose Him

Saying farewell to someone who was a part of our upbringing, culture, and memories is difficult. He anchored tales rather than merely acting. He gave young Black guys a sense of safety and visibility. He also exuded the same subdued genius off-camera.

His story was meant to continue after this. There were more characters to develop, more screenplays to read, and more knowledge to impart.

But now all that is left is quiet, along with the echoes of a life that had purpose.

Malcolm, may you rest in peace. You were more than just a fictional character. You were human completely, exquisitely human. We shall also miss you.