Regina King reflects on her past relationship.
The 54-year-old Oscar winner expressed her feelings about her ex, Malcolm Jamal Warner, shortly after it was revealed he had accidentally drowned while in Costa Rica.
In an Instagram story post on Monday, King shared, “Some people leave lasting traces not just for who they are, but for the energy they carry,” accompanied by a few photos of Warner riding a motorcycle.
“Sending prayers full of love and understanding to your family and loved ones,” she continued. “Rest easy now, Malcolm Jamal Warner.”
She included another picture of him on a motorcycle, hands raised, with the caption, “Ride in power.”
King and Warner dated from 2011 until 2013. Their paths first crossed in the 1980s when Warner was on The Cosby Show and King featured in another NBC sitcom, “227.”
“Malcolm and I have a lot in common,” King mentioned back in January 2011.
Warner once described their bond, stating, “We want to protect what we have because we are so special… but I think that’s a relationship that means everything.”
After two years together, reports claimed Warner left King unexpectedly.
At that time, King was facing her own challenges, particularly with her son Ian Alexander Jr., who tragically passed away in January 2022.
In a tweet from March 2013, King did clarify that there was no bad blood between her and Warner, saying, “Hey guys, don’t believe everything you read. Me and Malcolm Jamal Warner are good. Life happens. Forward motion. God Speed.”
However, two years later, she hinted at a more difficult split, suggesting Warner broke up with her on Valentine’s Day. “Yes, I’m serious,” she insisted, recounting how he sent her flowers saying, “I still love you,” which she disposed of.
Though she never named him, she suggested that people know who she was talking about.
Prior to his relationship with King, Warner had been involved with actress Michelle Thomas, who tragically passed away in 1998, as well as actress Karen Marina White from 2000 to 2007.
At the time of his passing, Warner was married and had a daughter, maintaining a preference for privacy regarding his family.
Warner was in Costa Rica with relatives when he tragically drowned on Sunday. Local authorities informed that he had been pulled from the water and taken to shore.
Following an autopsy, his death was attributed to asphyxiation while diving, according to police.
Many in Hollywood, including his co-star Eddie Griffin and Tracy Ellis Ross, have shared tributes to Warner.
Bill Cosby, who played Warner’s father on The Cosby Show, made comparisons between Warner’s death and the loss of his own son, Ennis, back in 1997.
