TV son Malcolm

Bill Cosby's TV son Malcolm-Jamal Warner speaks up

The Cosby ShowMalcolm-Jamal Warner, who played Theo Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," has been quiet about his onetime TV father, Bill Cosby -- until now.

In an interview with Billboard magazine, Warner said that Cosby was a major influence in his life, and it's "painful" to watch him become the subject of rape allegations.

"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," 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."

About two dozen women have accused Cosby of drugging and sexual misconduct in allegations that go back decades, in some cases.

Cosby has never faced criminal charges. He and his attorneys have repeatedly denied the allegations.

At least three of Cosby's accusers have filed a federal defamation lawsuit against him, claiming that after they came forward with allegations, they were called liars.