Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox person 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).

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.

Early life

Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 18, 1970.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He was raised in Los Angeles from age five.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Career

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Warner auditioned for the role on the final day of the nationwide search.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1986, he was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Warner guest starred in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, playing the role of Hilary Banks' boyfriend (1991).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom Here and Now (1992–1993).<ref>The Cosby Book By Ronald L. Smith Copyright 1986, 1993</ref> Warner also hosted the literacy-promoting children's show CBS Storybreak in 1993 and 1994.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1995, Warner appeared as a homeless man on Touched by an Angel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also portrayed U.S. Marshal Terry Nessip in the film Drop Zone with Wesley Snipes (1994),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rory Holloway in the HBO film Tyson<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Leroy Cappy in the HBO film The Tuskegee Airmen (both 1995).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Warner was the voice of The Producer character on The Magic School Bus (1994–1997).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> From 1996 to 2000, Warner co-starred with comedian Eddie Griffin on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He went on to co-star as Kurdy Malloy in Jeremiah (2002–2004),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and appeared in the CBS sitcom Listen Up with Jason Alexander (2004–2005).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2008, he portrayed Cordell in the Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson rom-com film Fool's Gold.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2009, he guest starred in an episode in the TNT series HawthoRNe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The couple had three children: Kaci and Kenan Reynolds, Carla's children from a previous relationship, and Alexis Reed, their child together.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Warner played prison counselor Julius Rowe on the sixth season (2016–2017) of USA's Suits.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He directed episodes of sitcoms including The Cosby Show, All That, Kenan & Kel, Malcolm & Eddie, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Music and poetry

In 2003, Warner released his debut jazz-funk EP, The Miles Long Mixtape.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2007, Warner followed up with his second CD entitled Love & Other Social Issues.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

Warner played bass guitar, performing in a band where he recited his poetry over the music.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Warner performed at the National Black Theatre Festival from 2003 onwards, in addition to hosting its Poetry Jam.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=":0"/>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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 1994. They remained friends until her death in 1998.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was later in a relationship with actress Karen Malina White for seven and a half years<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and with actress Regina King from 2011 to 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He married Tenisha Warner in 2017, and he and his wife had a daughter in Template:Birth based on age as of date; he kept their identities private.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Death

On July 20, 2025, Warner died at the age of 54 while with a group learning to surf at Playa Cocles in Limón Province, Costa Rica. According to Mike Geist, vice president of Caribbean Guard, a volunteer lifeguard organization that patrols beaches in the area, "After the surf lesson, I think [Warner and several others in the group] stayed on the beach for a while and then decided to get back in the water." Subsequently, strong ocean currents common to the area resulted in three in the group being in distress, "including a woman and a young girl." With assistance from beachgoers, the three were eventually able to reach the shore. After finding out that there was a fourth person missing—Warner—an unnamed boogie boarder and doctor moved into the water in hopes of finding him. After about a five-minute search, the unnamed doctor located Warner unconscious and submerged in water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="people.com">Template:Cite web</ref> Warner received CPR for approximately 45 minutes before being pronounced dead at the scene.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A 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.<ref name="people.com"/>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tributes

On August 8, Pamela Warner shared a tribute on a newly established Instagram account celebrating her son's life.<ref name="ReferenceA">Template:Cite web</ref> 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 also announced plans for a public memorial to be held later in 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.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Notable figures and costars that paid tribute to Warner included Beyonce,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bill Cosby,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Morris Chestnut,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Karen Malina White, Eddie Griffin, Raven-Symoné, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Gary LeRoi Gray.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The S2 episode 'Mother Love' of Murder in a Small Town is dedicated to his memory.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1986	Show Off! How to Be Cool at Parties	Himself	Video<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1987	Template:Sortname	Joey	TV movie
1989	Mother's Day	Cullen Sturgis	TV movie
1990	The Earth Day Special	Theo Huxtable	TV movie
1991	The Real Story of Itsy Bitsy Spider	Spinner (voice)	TV movie<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
1994	Drop Zone	Deputy U.S. Marshal Terry Nessip	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1995	Tyson	Rory Holloway	TV movie
	Template:Sortname	Leroy Cappy	TV movie
1998	Restaurant	Steven
1999	A Fare to Remember	Winter Valen	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2001	Legend of the Candy Cane	Rusty (voice)	TV movie
2004	Reflections: A Story of Redemption	Samuel	Short
2007	The List	Randy
	There's Hope	Lead	Short
2008	Fool's Gold	Cordell
2009	Contradictions of a Heart	Miles Long Band	Video
2011	King of the Underground	Malcolm
2014	Muted	Curtis Gladwell	Short
2015	Megachurch Murder	Rev. Hamilton Spears
2016	Wannabe	Luther	Short
2017	You Can't Hear Me	The Voice	Short
	Shot	EMT Jones	Final film role before his death eight years later.

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1982	Matt Houston	Johnny Randolph	Episode: "Stop the Presses"
1983	Fame	Lucas Boyd	Episode: "Ending on a High Note"
1984	Call to Glory	-	Episode: "A Nation Divided"
1984–1992	Template:Sortname	Theodore "Theo" Huxtable	Main cast
1985	Body Language	Himself	Recurring role
1986	ABC Afterschool Special	Charlie Curtis	Episode: "A Desperate Exit"
	Saturday Night Live	Himself/Host	Episode: "Malcolm-Jamal Warner/Run-DMC"
1985–1988	Sesame Street	Himself	Guest (season 17 & 19)
	TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes	Himself	Guest (seasons 3–4)
1987	The New Hollywood Squares	Himself/Panelist	Episode: "April 27, 1987"
	Matlock	Himself	Episode: "The Network"
1988–1989	Template:Sortname	Theo Huxtable	Guest (seasons 1–2)
1989	Tour of Duty	SPC Sweet	Episode: "The Volunteer"
1990	Saturday Morning Videos	Himself	Host
1990–1991	Template:Sortname	Himself/Eric	Guest (seasons 1–2)
1992–1993	Here and Now	Alexander "A.J." James	Main cast
1993–1994	CBS Storybreak	Host
1994–1997	Template:Sortname	The Producer (voice)	Recurring role
1995	Touched by an Angel	Zack	Episode: "There But for the Grace of God"
1996–2000	Malcolm & Eddie	Malcolm McGee	Main cast
1997	Adventures from the Book of Virtues	Henry (voice)	Episode: "Faith"
	Moloney	Frank Preston	Episode: "The Ripple Effect"
1999	Sliders	R.J.	Episode: "My Brother's Keeper"
2002	Static Shock	Lester Biggs (voice)	Episode: "Duped"
	Lyric Cafe	Himself	Host
2002–2004	Jeremiah	Kurdy Malloy	Main cast
2004	Stripperella	Robber (voice)	Episode: "The Bridesmaid"
2004–2005	Listen Up	Bernie Widmer	Main cast
2006	Dexter	Rita's Lawyer	Episode: "Seeing Red"
2008	Template:Sortname	Jason Anders	Episode: "Lie with Me"
2009	HawthoRNe	Fred	Episode: "Healing Time"
	Sherri	Kevin	Main cast
2010	Special Agent Oso	Braden's Dad (voice)	Episode: "The Living Holiday Lights"
2011–2012	Community	Andre Bennett	Recurring role (season 2); guest (season 3)
2011–2015	Reed Between the Lines	Dr. Alex Reed	Main cast
2012	Hard: Life of a Bondservant	Jerry Hampton	Episode: "Know God"
2013	Friends in Therapy	Tae'Quon Jones	Episode: "Extra Bacon"
2013–2014	Key & Peele	Arthur Washington/Dad #3	Guest (seasons 3–4)
2013–2016	Major Crimes	Lt. Chuck Cooper	Recurring role (seasons 2–5)
2014	The Michael J. Fox Show	Russel	Episode: "Party"
	Sons of Anarchy	Sticky	Recurring role (season 7)
2014–2015	American Horror Story: Freak Show	Angus T. Jefferson	Recurring role
2016	The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story	Al "A.C." Cowlings	Recurring role
	House of Lies	Yurgen Celebi	Episode: "Holacracy"
2016–2017	Suits	Julius Rowe	Recurring role (season 6)
2017	Lethal Weapon	David Reed	Episode: "Lawmen"
	Detroiters	Sebastian	Episode: "Hog Riders"
	White Famous	Nelson Youngblood	Episode: "Scandal"
	Ten Days in the Valley	Matt Walker	Main cast
2017–2018	Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce	Darrell	Recurring role (seasons 3–4); guest (season 5)
2017–2019	Sneaky Pete	James Bagwell	Recurring role (seasons 1–2); guest (season 3)
2018–2023	The Resident	Dr. AJ Austin	Recurring role (season 1); main cast (seasons 2–6)
2020	Puppy Dog Pals	Floyd (voice)	Episode: "Pups in the Apple/Won't you be my Puppy"
2021	The Chicken Squad	Lieutenant Scruffy (voice)	Recurring role
2023	Accused	Kendall Gomillion	Episode: "Kendall's Story"
	The Wonder Years	Melvin Williams	Episode: "Happy Birthday, Clisby"
	The Irrational	Dustin Atwood	Episode: "Point and Shoot"
	Carol & the End of the World	Guest Performer (voice)	Episode: "The Beetle Broach"
2024	Grown-ish	Darnell	Episode: "Hard Times"
	9-1-1	Amir Casey	Recurring role (season 7)
2025	Alert: Missing Persons Unit	Chief Inspector Bill Houston	Recurring role (season 3)
2025	Murder in a Small Town	Mr. Bannister	Episode: "Mother Love"; posthumous release

Discography

• The Miles Long Mixtape (2003)
• Love & Other Social Issues (2007)
• Selfless (2015)
• Hiding in Plain View (2022)

Awards and nominations

Emmy Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result	Ref.
1986	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	The Cosby Show	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Grammy Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result	Ref.
2015	Best Traditional R&B Performance	"Jesus Children" (with Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Lalah Hathaway)	Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2023	Best Spoken Word Poetry Album	Hiding In Plain View	Template:Nom

NAACP Image Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result	Ref.
1989	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Television Movie or Mini-Series	Mother's Day	Template:Nom
1996	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Touched by an Angel	Template:Nom
2001	Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series	Malcolm & Eddie	Template:Nom
2010	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Sherri	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2012	Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series	Reed Between the Lines	Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Miscellaneous awards

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result	Ref.
1984	Young Artist Award	Best Young Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy Series	The Cosby Show	Template:Won
1987		Best Young Male Superstar in Television		Template:Nom
1989		Best Young Actor/Actress Ensemble in a Television Comedy, Drama Series or Special		Template:Won
1990		Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Television Series		Template:Won
2005	BET Comedy Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Listen Up	Template:Nom
2006	TV Land Awards	Favorite Singing Siblings	The Cosby Show	Template:Nom
2011		Impact Award		Template:Won
2012	NAMIC Vision Awards	Best Performance - Comedy	Reed Between the Lines	Template:Nom
2013	MD Theatre Guide Readers' Choice Awards	Best Performance by Lead Actor in a Play	Doctor John Prentice in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner at Arena Stage	Template:Honored
2015	Voice Arts Awards	Outstanding Spoken Word or Storytelling - Best Performance	Training Daze	Template:Won

Book

• Theo and Me: Growing up Okay (1988). Template:ISBN (with Daniel Paisner).

External links

• Malcolm-Jamal Warner Official Website
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