Phylicia Rashad opens Emmys In Memoriam honoring Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Phylicia Rashad opened the In Memoriam segment at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday by paying tribute to her former Cosby Show costar Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died in July at 54. Onstage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Rashad called Warner "a beloved teenager in an iconic television series who the world watched grow into manhood" and said he "remains in our hearts" as the ceremony remembered performers and industry figures who died over the past year.

Rashad told the audience that the Emmys honor those not only for their talent but for how they "made us believe in something bigger, the best that is within us." Her remarks prefaced a montage accompanied by a duet performance of Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson that highlighted actors, writers, directors and other behind-the-scenes contributors.

Warner drowned in July while on a family vacation in Costa Rica, authorities said. Local officials said he was caught in a strong ocean current near Cocles beach in Limón province, and that asphyxia was listed as the cause of death. His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans.

A child star who earned an Emmy nomination...