Anthony Mackie felt "proud" to call Malcolm-Jamal Warner a friend

He told People magazine: "I'm proud to say Malcom-Jamal Warner was a friend of mine. He's somebody that I knew and spent time with, and just was such a beautiful human being.

"And every time I was around him, I was able to take full advantage of those conversations and that time. That, for me, is the most important thing."

The Captain America: The Winter Soldier actor also spoke of how much he valued having late actor and "icon" Andre Braugher as a mentor before he died of lung cancer aged 61 in December 2023.

She said: "Being in New York and that new kid on the theater scene. To have those lessons and those moments and have that communicated [by] such - at that time for me - such an icon in the business.

"I always tell people just take full advantage of those moments [with mentors] and truly be yourself so that that person can see, react and engage with who you are and not some fictitious idea of who you think they want you to be."

Anthony's Twisted Metal co-star Stephanie Beatriz, 44, also worked closely with Andre on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and she agreed how important interactions with other people are.

She said: "Unfortunately, we all go through grief in our lives. And all you really have are those memories.

"So Anthony's absolutely right. Coming to people in your life with the truest, most honest self as much as you can at all times is gonna feed the memories when you lose them. And hopefully feed their memories when someday they might lose you."

Malcolm's mom spoke out about her son's death earlier this week, and reassured fans the actor "did not suffer" and was "at peace" when he died.

In a lengthy tribute shared on the new Malcolm-Jamal Warner Living Legacy Instagram page, she wrote in part: "For those of you who are at a loss, pained by the suddenness of his departure, ache for his presence or just to hear his voice one more time, to see his beatific smile one more time, be comforted that he was at peace and more importantly, he did not suffer.

"Malcolm was birthed through water and transitioned through water.

"This was his time. His mission on earth had been completed.

"Hold close to whatever part of Malcolm's life that touched yours. In keeping it near, you keep his spirit alive - nourishing you with the peace, love, joy and light that embodied Malcolm-Jamal Warner."