Rasheda Williams, 46, of Detroit was about the same age as Rudy, the youngest character on "The Cosby Show" and Theo's little sister. Williams said she and others are mourning Warner's passing because of what they saw in the character he played.

Karen Malina White played Charmaine Brown, friend to Cosby cousin Pam (Erika Alexander) on both The Cosby Show and its spinoff series, A Different World. White also dated Warner for seven years, beginning in the late 1990s.

Off screen, Warner managed to sidestep the pitfalls and scandals that so many child stars face. After “The Cosby Show” ended in 1992, Warner went on to other beloved series, including “Malcom & Eddie,” “The Resident” and “9-1-1,” an impressive career transition for any actor who has grown up on television.