Malcolm-Jamal Warner | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Warner in 2007 | |
| Born | (1970-08-18)August 18, 1970 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | July 20, 2025(2025-07-20) (aged 54) Playa Cocles,Limón Province,Costa Rica |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1982–2025 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (August 18, 1970 – July 20, 2025) was an American actor, musician and poet. He rose to prominence for his role asTheodore Huxtable on theNBC sitcomThe Cosby Show (1984–1992), which earned him an Emmy nomination forOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the38th Primetime Emmy Awards. He was also known for his roles as Malcolm McGee on the sitcomMalcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), Dr. Alex Reed in the sitcomReed Between the Lines (2011, 2015), Julius Rowe inSuits (2016–2017) and Dr. AJ Austin in the medical dramaThe Resident (2018–2023).
In 2015, Warner received aGrammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song "Jesus Children" alongsideRobert Glasper Experiment andLalah Hathaway.
In July 2025, Warner died, aged 54, fromdrowning in the ocean offLimón Province,Costa Rica after being caught in a strong current.
Warner was born inJersey City, New Jersey, on August 18, 1970.[1] He was named afterMalcolm X and jazz pianistAhmad 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 TheProfessional Children's School in New York City, New York.[3]
After appearances on television shows such asMatt Houston,Fame andCall to Glory, Warner landed his most successful role asTheo Huxtable, the only son ofHeathcliff Huxtable, who was played byBill Cosby on theNBC 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 forOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the38th Primetime Emmy Awards.[6]
Warner guest starred in an episode ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, playing the role of Hilary Banks' boyfriend (1991).[7] He starred in the short-lived NBC sitcomHere and Now (1992–1993).[8] Warner also hosted theliteracy-promoting children's showCBS Storybreak in 1993 and 1994.[9] In 1995, Warner appeared as a homeless man onTouched by an Angel.[10] He also portrayed U.S. Marshal Terry Nessip in the filmDrop Zone withWesley Snipes (1994),[11] Rory Holloway in theHBO filmTyson[12] and Leroy Cappy in the HBO filmThe Tuskegee Airmen (both 1995).[13]
Warner was the voice of The Producer character onThe Magic School Bus (1994–1997).[14] From 1996 to 2000, Warner co-starred with comedianEddie Griffin on theUPN sitcomMalcolm & Eddie.[15] He went on to co-star as Kurdy Malloy inJeremiah (2002–2004),[16] and appeared in theCBS sitcomListen Up withJason Alexander (2004–2005).[17]
In 2008, he portrayed Cordell in theMatthew McConaughey andKate Hudson rom-com filmFool's Gold.[18] In 2009, he guest starred in an episode in theTNT seriesHawthoRNe.[19] In 2011 and 2012, he guest starred in four episodes of theNBC seriesCommunity as Andre, the ex-husband ofShirley Bennett (Yvette Nicole Brown). His character subtly referenced hisCosby Show past by wearing a "Cosbysweater" that he stated was from his dad.[20]
Warner co-starred inBET's 2011 scripted comedic television seriesReed Between the Lines. He played the role of Alex Reed, an English professor married to Carla Reed, a psychologist played by formerGirlfriends starTracee 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 theNAACP Image Awards for his role inReed Between the Lines.[23]
On the third season (2014–2015) ofTNT police proceduralMajor Crimes, Warner portrayed Lt. Chuck Cooper, a member of the LAPD's Special Investigation's Section.[24] Warner portrayedAl Cowlings in the 2016 crime seriesAmerican Crime Story productionThe People v. O.J Simpson, based on the events of theO. J. Simpson trial.[25] Warner played prison counselor Julius Rowe on the sixth season (2016–2017) ofUSA'sSuits.[26] He also played the role of parole officer James Bagwell onAmazon Prime's showSneaky Pete (2017–2019). From 2018 to 2023, he appeared as Dr. AJ "The Raptor" Austin onFOX'sThe Resident.[27][28]
During his tenure onThe Cosby Show, Warner turned his hand to directing, making music videos includingNew Edition's "N.E. Heart Break" (1989), rapperSpecial Ed's "I'm the Magnificent" (1989) and BritishR&B groupFive Star's "I Love You For Sentimental Reasons" (1994).[29][30][31] He directed episodes of sitcoms includingThe Cosby Show,All That,Kenan & Kel,Malcolm & Eddie, andThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[32][33] Warner also directed the teen-oriented public health videoTime Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You (1992), which featuredArsenio Hall andEarvin "Magic" Johnson discussing the realities ofHIV and AIDS and the best ways to prevent its spread.[34]
In 2003, Warner released his debutjazz-funkEP,The Miles Long Mixtape.[35] In 2007, Warner followed up with his second CD entitledLove & Other Social Issues.[36] In 2015, he received aGrammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his contribution to a cover ofStevie Wonder's "Jesus Children of America". Warner performed a poem on the track, dedicated to the victims of theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, along with musiciansRobert Glasper Experiment andLalah Hathaway.[37]
Warner played bass guitar, performing in a band where he recited his poetry over the music.[38]
Warner performed at theNational Black Theatre Festival from 2003 onwards, in addition to hosting its Poetry Jam.[39][40] Warner's 2022spoken word poetry albumHiding in Plain View was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, the first year the category was included in the awards.[37]
In June 2024, Warner and cohosts Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley created theNot All Hood (NAH) podcast to discuss the lives and experiences of Black Americans.[41]
Warner was involved in several high-profile relationships. He dated actressMichelle Thomas, who portrayed his on-screen girlfriend Justine Phillips onThe Cosby Show until 1994. They remained friends until her death in 1998.[42] He was later in a relationship with actressKaren Malina White for seven and a half years[43] and with actressRegina King from 2011 to 2013.[44] He married Tenisha Warner in 2017 and had one daughter together who was eight years old at the time of his death. His wife and daughter's identities were first disclosed after his death was announced.[45][46]
On July 20, 2025, Warner died at the age of 54 while with a group learning to surf at Playa Cocles inLimón 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.[47] According to the Costa RicanRed Cross, emergency responders were dispatched at approximately 2:10 p.m. following reports of a water-related incident involving two adult men.[48] Warner received CPR for approximately 45 minutes before being pronounced dead at the scene.[49] 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.[48]
On July 21, 2025, theJudicial Investigation Agency confirmed Warner had been caught in a strong current. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the official cause of death—accidentalasphyxia by submersion (drowning)—was confirmed following the completion of his autopsy on July 22.[50][51][52][53]
On August 8, Pamela Warner shared atribute on a newly established Instagram account celebrating her son's life.[54] 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 inGrammy recognition. Pamela also announced plans for a public memorial to be held later in 2025 or in early 2026. She encouraged those who aregrieving to cherish the aspects of his life that resonated most deeply, saying that keeping thosememories alive would sustain his spirit.[54]
Notable figures and costars that paid tribute to Warner includedBeyonce,[55]Bill Cosby,[56]Morris Chestnut,[57]Karen Malina White,Eddie Griffin,Raven-Symoné,Keshia Knight Pulliam andGary LeRoi Gray.[58]
The S2 episode 'Mother Love' ofMurder in a Small Town is dedicated to his memory.
 | This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(July 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Show Off! How to Be Cool at Parties | Himself | Video[59] |
| 1987 | The Father Clements Story | 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[60] |
| 1994 | Drop Zone | Deputy U.S. Marshal Terry Nessip | [61] |
| 1995 | Tyson | Rory Holloway | TV movie |
| The Tuskegee Airmen | Leroy Cappy | TV movie | |
| 1998 | Restaurant | Steven | |
| 1999 | A Fare to Remember | Winter Valen | [62] |
| 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. |
| 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 | The Cosby Show | 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 | A Different World | Theo Huxtable | Guest (seasons 1–2) |
| 1989 | Tour of Duty | SPC Sweet | Episode: "The Volunteer" |
| 1990 | Saturday Morning Videos | Himself | Host |
| 1990–1991 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Himself/Eric | Guest (seasons 1–2) |
| 1992–1993 | Here and Now | Alexander "A.J." James | Main cast |
| 1993–1994 | CBS Storybreak | Host | |
| 1994–1997 | The Magic School Bus | 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 | The Cleaner | 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 |
| Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | The Cosby Show | Nominated | [63] |
| Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Best Traditional R&B Performance | "Jesus Children"(withRobert Glasper Experiment featuringLalah Hathaway) | Won | [64] |
| 2023 | Best Spoken Word Poetry Album | Hiding In Plain View | Nominated |
| Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Television Movie or Mini-Series | Mother's Day | Nominated | |
| 1996 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Touched by an Angel | Nominated | |
| 2001 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Malcolm & Eddie | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Sherri | Nominated | [65] |
| 2012 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Reed Between the Lines | Won | [66] |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy Series | The Cosby Show | Won | |
| 1987 | Best Young Male Superstar in Television | Nominated | |||
| 1989 | Best Young Actor/Actress Ensemble in a Television Comedy, Drama Series or Special | Won | |||
| 1990 | Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Television Series | Won | |||
| 2005 | BET Comedy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Listen Up | Nominated | |
| 2006 | TV Land Awards | Favorite Singing Siblings | The Cosby Show | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Impact Award | Honored | |||
| 2012 | NAMIC Vision Awards | Best Performance - Comedy | Reed Between the Lines | Nominated | |
| 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 | First place | |
| 2015 | Voice Arts Awards | Outstanding Spoken Word or Storytelling - Best Performance | Training Daze | Won |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
