Malcolm-Jamal Warner stepped up to join a few people in defending beleaguered comedian Bill Cosby who is facing a tough time after more than two dozen women came forward to accuse him of sexual assault.

Warner played Theo Huxtable, Cosby's son in his long-runnning comedy series, The Cosby Show, in the 1980s.

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While Warner defended Cosby, he was cautious not to appear like he was criticizing the dozen women who have slammed the actor with sexual assault.

Warner, however, cannot help but credit Cosby for what he's done for him personally.

"He's one of my mentors, and he's been very influential and played a big role in my life as a friend and mentor," he said.

While he finds it painful to see those women tell their harrowing experience with Cosby, Warner also lamented that it is "just as painful to watch my friend and mentor go through this," refraining from making any comments regarding the allegations because he doesn't know the complete story.

Instead, he narrated the many good things Cosby has done to him.

"The Bill Cosby I know has been great to me and great for a lot of people," he said.

"What he's done for comedy and television has been legendary and history-making.

After his stint at the Cosby Show, Warner, now 44, has parlayed his acting career and is now a director and musician. He just recently received his first Grammy nomination for best traditional R&B performance. He is also working on an upcoming jazz and R&B-inflected spoken word album.

Warner's TV mom Phylicia Rashad, played by Claire Huxtable, also came to Cosby's defense. Other cast members, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Vivica A. Fox, also defended the actor.

TagsBill Cosby, Malcolm-Jamal warmer