Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor who played Bill Cosby’s television son Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, is breaking his silence on the sexual abuse scandal surrounding his TV dad.
Warner spoke to Billboard about his Grammy nomination for Black Radio 2 and during the interview, he was asked about Cosby.
“He's one of my mentors, and he's been very influential and played a big role in my life as a friend and mentor," he said. "Just as it's painful to hear any woman talk about sexual assault, whether true or not, it's just as painful to watch my friend and mentor go through this.”
Warner also said he can’t comment on the validity of these claims, he did say that what Cosby has accomplished in his professional career has been inspirational.
"I can't really speak on any of the allegations because obviously, I was not there,” he said. “The Bill Cosby I know has been great to me and great for a lot of people. What he's done for comedy and television has been legendary and history-making. What he's done for the black community and education has been invaluable. That's the Bill Cosby I know. I can't speak on the other stuff."
Over 15 women have accused Cosby of drugging, raping or sexually molesting them, which has put his career comeback at a screeching halt. Two of the most recognizable names among the women are Janice Dickinson and Beverly Johnson.
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