Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 18, 1970. He was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He was raised in Los Angeles from age five. 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. ==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. Warner auditioned for the role on the final day of the nationwide search. In 1986, he was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards. Warner guest starred in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, playing the role of Hilary Banks' boyfriend (1991). He starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom Here and Now (1992–1993). Warner also hosted the literacy-promoting children's show CBS Storybreak in 1993 and 1994. In 1995, Warner appeared as a homeless man on Touched by an Angel. He also portrayed U.S. Marshal Terry Nessip in the film Drop Zone with Wesley Snipes (1994), Rory Holloway in the HBO film Tyson and Leroy Cappy in the HBO film The Tuskegee Airmen (both 1995). Warner was the voice of The Producer character on The Magic School Bus (1994–1997). From 1996 to 2000, Warner co-starred with comedian Eddie Griffin on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie. He went on to co-star as Kurdy Malloy in Jeremiah (2002–2004), and appeared in the CBS sitcom Listen Up with Jason Alexander (2004–2005). In 2008, he portrayed Cordell in the Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson rom-com film ''Fool's Gold. In 2009, he guest starred in an episode in the TNT series HawthoRNe. 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. 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. The couple had three children: Kaci and Kenan Reynolds, Carla's children from a previous relationship, and Alexis Reed, their child together. 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. 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. 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. Warner played prison counselor Julius Rowe on the sixth season (2016–2017) of USA's Suits. 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. 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). He directed episodes of sitcoms including The Cosby Show, All That, Kenan & Kel, Malcolm & Eddie, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. 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. Music and poetry In 2003, Warner released his debut jazz-funk EP, The Miles Long Mixtape. In 2007, Warner followed up with his second CD entitled Love & Other Social Issues. 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. Warner played bass guitar, performing in a band where he recited his poetry over the music. Warner performed at the National Black Theatre Festival from 2003 onwards, in addition to hosting its Poetry Jam. 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. ==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. He was later in a relationship with actress Karen Malina White for seven and a half years and with actress Regina King from 2011 to 2013. 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. == 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. 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. Warner received CPR for approximately 45 minutes before being pronounced dead at the scene. 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. Tributes On August 8, Pamela Warner shared a tribute on a newly established Instagram account celebrating her son's life. 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. Bill Cosby, Morris Chestnut, Karen Malina White, Eddie Griffin, Raven-Symoné, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Gary LeRoi Gray. The S2 episode 'Mother Love' of Murder in a Small Town is dedicated to his memory. ==Filmography==

Film Television ==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 ==Book==

• Theo and Me: Growing up Okay (1988). (with Daniel Paisner). ==References==