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Malcolm-Jamal Warner
American actor (1970–2025) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Malcolm-Jamal Warner (August 18, 1970 – July 20, 2025) was an American actor, musician and poet. He rose to prominence for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992), which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards. He was also known for his roles as Malcolm McGee on the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), Dr. Alex Reed in the sitcom Reed Between the Lines (2011, 2015), Julius Rowe in Suits (2016–2017) and Dr. AJ Austin in the medical drama The Resident (2018–2023).
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In 2015, Warner received a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song "Jesus Children" alongside Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway.
In July 2025, Warner died, aged 54, from drowning in the ocean off Limón Province, Costa Rica after being caught in a strong current.
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Early life
Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 18, 1970.[1] He was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He was raised in Los Angeles from age five.[2] At the age of nine, he demonstrated an interest in show business that led to enrollment in acting schools. His career as a child performer later led him to graduate high school from The Professional Children's School in New York City, New York.[3]
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Career
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Acting
After appearances on television shows such as Matt Houston, Fame and Call to Glory, Warner landed his most successful role as Theo Huxtable, the only son of Heathcliff Huxtable, who was played by Bill Cosby on the NBC sitcom, The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992.[4] Warner auditioned for the role on the final day of the nationwide search.[5] In 1986, he was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards.[6]
Warner guest starred in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, playing the role of Hilary Banks' boyfriend (1991).[7] He starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom Here and Now (1992–1993).[8] Warner also hosted the literacy-promoting children's show CBS Storybreak in 1993 and 1994.[9] In 1995, Warner appeared as a homeless man on Touched by an Angel.[10] He also portrayed U.S. Marshal Terry Nessip in the film Drop Zone with Wesley Snipes (1994),[11] Rory Holloway in the HBO film Tyson[12] and Leroy Cappy in the HBO film The Tuskegee Airmen (both 1995).[13]
Warner was the voice of The Producer character on The Magic School Bus (1994-1997).[14] From 1996 to 2000, Warner co-starred with comedian Eddie Griffin on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie.[15] He went on to co-star as Kurdy Malloy in Jeremiah (2002–2004),[16] and appeared in the CBS sitcom Listen Up with Jason Alexander (2004-2005).[17]
In 2008, he portrayed Cordell in the Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson rom-com film Fool's Gold.[18] In 2009, he guest starred in an episode in the TNT series HawthoRNe.[19] In 2011 and 2012, he guest starred in four episodes of the NBC series Community as Andre, the ex-husband of Shirley Bennett (Yvette Nicole Brown). His character subtly referenced his Cosby Show past by wearing a "Cosby sweater" that he stated was from his dad.[20]
Warner co-starred in BET's 2011 scripted comedic television series Reed Between the Lines. He played the role of Alex Reed, an English professor married to Carla Reed, a psychologist played by former Girlfriends star Tracee Ellis Ross.[21] The couple had three children: Kaci and Kenan Reynolds, Carla's children from a previous relationship, and Alexis Reed, their child together.[22] The show highlighted the couple's ups and downs together as a blended family. In 2012, Warner was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a comedy series at the NAACP Image Awards for his role in Reed Between the Lines.[23]
On the third season (2014–2015) of TNT police procedural Major Crimes, Warner portrayed Lt. Chuck Cooper, a member of the LAPD's Special Investigation's Section.[24] Warner portrayed Al Cowlings in the 2016 crime series American Crime Story production The People v. O.J Simpson, based on the events of the O. J. Simpson trial.[25] Warner played prison counselor Julius Rowe on the sixth season (2016–2017) of USA's Suits.[26] He also played the role of parole officer James Bagwell on Amazon Prime's show Sneaky Pete (2017–2019). From 2018 to 2023, he appeared as Dr. AJ "The Raptor" Austin on FOX's The Resident.[27][28]
Directing
During his tenure on The Cosby Show, Warner turned his hand to directing, making music videos including New Edition's "N.E. Heart Break" (1989), rapper Special Ed's "I'm the Magnificent" (1989) and British R&B group Five Star's "I Love You For Sentimental Reasons" (1994).[29][30][31] He directed episodes of sitcoms including The Cosby Show, All That, Kenan & Kel, Malcolm & Eddie, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[32][33] Warner also directed the teen-oriented public health video Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You (1992), which featured Arsenio Hall and Earvin "Magic" Johnson discussing the realities of HIV and AIDS and the best ways to prevent its spread.[34]
Music and poetry
In 2003, Warner released his debut jazz-funk EP, The Miles Long Mixtape.[35] In 2007, Warner followed up with his second CD entitled Love & Other Social Issues.[36] In 2015, he received a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his contribution to a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Jesus Children of America". Warner performed a poem on the track, dedicated to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, along with musicians Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway.[37]
Warner played bass guitar, performing in a band where he recited his poetry over the music.[38]
Warner performed at the National Black Theatre Festival from 2003 onwards, in addition to hosting its Poetry Jam.[39][40] Warner's 2022 spoken word poetry album Hiding in Plain View was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, the first year the category was included in the awards.[37]
Podcasting
In June 2024, Warner and cohosts Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley created the Not All Hood (NAH) podcast to discuss the lives and experiences of Black Americans.[41]
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Personal life
Warner was involved in several high-profile relationships. He dated actress Michelle Thomas, who portrayed his on-screen girlfriend Justine Phillips on The Cosby Show, until her death in 1998.[42] He was later in a relationship with actress Karen Malina White for seven and a half years[43] and with actress Regina King from 2011 to 2013.[44] He married in 2017, and he and his wife had a daughter in 2016 or 2017; he kept their identities private.[45]
Death
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On July 20, 2025, Warner died at the age of 54 while swimming at Playa Cocles in Limón Province, Costa Rica. According to the Costa Rican Red Cross, emergency responders were dispatched at approximately 2:10 p.m. following reports of a water-related incident involving two adult men.[46] Authorities stated that surfers observed Warner and his daughter struggling in the water and entered the ocean to assist.[47] One surfer used a board to bring Warner's daughter to shore, while a volunteer lifeguard assisted Warner and another man. Warner was pulled from the water by bystanders and received CPR for approximately 45 minutes before being pronounced dead at the scene.[48] The second man was transported to a nearby clinic in critical condition. The Red Cross stated that both victims had been removed from the water prior to paramedics' arrival, and the case was referred to local police. Both surfers survived.[49]
On July 21, 2025, the Judicial Investigation Agency confirmed Warner had been caught in a strong current. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the official cause of death—accidental asphyxia by submersion (drowning)—was confirmed following the completion of his autopsy on July 22.[50][51][52][53]
Notable figures that paid tribute to Warner included Bill Cosby,[54] Morris Chestnut,[55] Karen Malina White, Eddie Griffin, Raven-Symoné, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Gary LeRoi Gray.[56]
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Legacy
On August 8, Pamela Warner shared a tribute on a newly established Instagram account celebrating her late son’s life.[57] She expressed comfort in knowing that in his final moments, “he was at peace and did not suffer”. She described him as a devoted husband, father, and son, as well as her confidant and partner. Pamela highlighted his dedication to his craft—having found full confidence in acting at age eight and later pursuing music as well as poetry, culminating in Grammy recognition.
Pamela has a commitment to preserving and building on Warner’s legacy, focusing on advancing arts education, mentorship for young performers, and charitable initiatives that reflect his values.[58]
Pamela also announced plans for a public memorial to be held later this year (2025) or in early 2026. She encouraged those who are grieving to cherish the aspects of his life that resonated most deeply, saying that keeping those memories alive would sustain his spirit.[59]
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Filmography
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2025) |
Film
Television
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Discography
- The Miles Long Mixtape (2003)
- Love & Other Social Issues (2007)
- Selfless (2015)
- Hiding In Plain View (2022)
Awards and nominations
Emmy Awards
Grammy Awards
NAACP Image Awards
Miscellaneous awards
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Book
- Theo and Me: Growing up Okay (1988) – ISBN 0-525-24694-0 (with Daniel Paisner)
References
External links
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