“The Cosby Show’s” Malcolm-Jamal Warner Says Bill Cosby Allegations Are “Painful”

Another "Cosby Show" star has spoken out about the allegations against Bill Cosby, calling them "painful."

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Complex Original

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Another Cosby Show veteran has spoken out about the allegations surrounding Bill Cosby. After both Phylicia Rashad and Keshia Knight-Pulliam offered their thoughts on the situation, Malcolm-Jamal Warner has spoken up as well.

Warner was nominated for a Grammy this year for Best Traditional R&B Performance, and when speaking with Billboard the questioning naturally turned to his TV dad and the multiple sexual assault allegations swirling around him over the last several months. Like many, Warner expressed sadness over the situation without explicitly taking sides.

“[Cosby] is one of my mentors, and he's been very influential and played a big role in my life as a friend and mentor,” Warner 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 tried to take wide view when looking at Cosby’s cultural contributions, saying that “I can't really speak on any of the allegations because obviously, I was not there. 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.”

[via Billboard]

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