As Theo Huxtable, Malcolm-Jamal Warner solidified his spot in our hearts, minds, and the culture forever. While millions mourn the shocking death of The Cosby Show actor, fans fondly remember all that this multitalented star gave the world in more than 40 years.
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From forever funny moments like the infamous Gordon Gartrell shirt to giving a voice to silent struggles like dyslexia, Warner delivered a vibrant, complex, and heart-warming portrayal of Black boyhood. In 1986, the performance earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
For multiple generations, Theo wasn’t just a beloved character — he was family. And Warner’s tragic passing in a drowning accident hits like he’s still the big brother many of us knew and loved since childhood.
Beyoncé updated her website with a memorial at the top: “Rest in power Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.”
Devastated reactions continue pouring in from celebrities and public figures like Bill Cosby, who compared the news to learning of his son’s murder.
Maxwell recalled being star-struck when he met Warner.
“i remember meeting u and not believing that ‘theo’ himself was aware of me. the black representation of our greatest variation. this is devastating my prayers and well wishes to your loved ones. rest in peace malcolm,” the soulful singer wrote.
Magic Johnson recalled going from a super fan of Warner’s to sharing deep conversations together.
“Cookie and I are sad to hear about the passing of our dear friend Malcolm-Jamal Warner. We were both super fans of the hit Cosby Show and continued to follow his career on shows like Malcolm and Eddie and The Resident. Every time I ran into Malcolm, we would have deep and fun conversations about basketball, life, and business. He will truly be missed.
Cookie and I are praying his family and close friends during this difficult time,” he wrote.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump remembered his award-winning spoken word.
“Malcolm-Jamal Warner, beloved for his role as Theo on The Cosby Show, has died at age 54. From Emmy-nominated actor to Grammy-nominated poet, he gave us decades of art, truth, and talent. His voice, on screen and in verse, will be deeply missed. Rest in power,” the attorney.
While the 54-year-old will always live on as Theo, that was just the breakthrough role in a career that spanned more than 40 years.
Read more about Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s contributions to the culture outside of Theo Huxtable after the flip.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Off-Camera
The former child star was just as dynamic behind the camera as he was on-screen. In 1989, Malcolm-Jamal Warner made his directing debut with music videos for New Edition’s “N.E. Heart Break” and Special Ed’s “I’m The Magnificent.”
He brought his talents home to The Cosby Show, where he directed five episodes, including the iconic “Off to See the Wretched” episode. We all probably know it as the “big fun” moment.
Warner went on to nurture the next generation of rising stars as a director on shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Kenan & Kel, and All That. He continued to pull double duty as both the star and producer on 44 episodes of the hit comedy show with Eddie Griffin, Malcolm & Eddie, and 27 episodes of the blended family sitcom with Tracee Ellis Ross, Reed Between The Lines.
Meeting The Real Malcolm-Jamal Warner Through Poetry & Podcasts
Crediting his parents’ support since childhood, Warner’s creativity knew no bounds. He was an accomplished poet who won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B performance in 2015 for his poem dedicated to victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting on “Jesus Children,” a Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway remake of the Stevie Wonder classic.
Warner won the first-ever Grammy for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in 2022 for Hiding in Plain View. For more than 20 years, he has been a regular performer at the National Black Theatre Festival.
In 2003, he also formally launched a music career with The Miles Long Mixtape. The follow-up to that jazz-funk fusion came in 2007 with Love & Other Social Issues. For the 54-year-old, the music didn’t stop after that. He continued jamming as a bass player for the Biological Misfits, with an appearance at the 2024 Indy Jazz Fest.
Last year, Warner took his deep thoughts and conversations to a new platform with the Not All Hood (NAH), co-hosted by Candace O.Kelley and Weusi Baraka. The podcast gave fans a deeper, more vulnerable look at the star as the hosts explored the complexities of the Black community.
“””When we talk about the Black community, we tend to speak of it as a monolith when the reality is there are so many different facets of the Black community, and we wanted to have a space where we can really explore, discuss, and acknowledge all of those different aspects,” Warner told PEOPLE.
The friend disagreed with separate categories in the first place when their service as soldiers should’ve mattered most. However, Warner reflected on the history of military segregation, discrimination, and withheld benefits for Black veterans. Given this country’s past and present, the indicator of “Black” became more than a subset in Warner’s mind.
“For the first time it made me thing of Black excellence in a different way. Black excellence now is attributed to fame and money, so that’s been my issue with it. But now when I’m looking into the story, Black survival in of itself is Black excellence,” he said.
“Everything that we have to muster, all of our resources — whether it be spiritual, whether it be relational, whether it be political to whatever extent — everything that we have had to muster just to play on this playing field is what makes us rich as Black people, as Black culture,” Warner continued.
Watch Malcom-Jamal Warner’s final episode of Not All Hood (NAH) featuring Tameka “Georgia Me” Harper below.
Check out more Malcolm-Jamal Warner performances to watch after the flip.
What To Watch If You’re Missing Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Nothing beats watching Warner grow up onscreen as Theo, but it’s clear his creativity and ambition only took off from Cosby. For fans wanting to revisit the stellar work from his 43-year career, here are some more highlights.
The Producer on Magic School Bus
Real fans know the Magic School Bus series wouldn’t go as far without The Producer character connecting the dots as the host. Warner voiced the character, who answered questions from kids calling in from around the world. He explained the educational and fantastic examples of concepts depicted on the show, sometimes adding additional context. The original run of the animated show is perfect for a comfort watch.
Malcolm McGee on Malcolm & Eddie
Whether you know all the episodes by heart or haven’t seen a single one yet, there’s never a bad time to watch Malcolm & Eddie. Warner plays the straight-laced opposite of comedian Eddie Griffin. As best friends and roommates, the hilarious shenanigans ensue when they use a sudden windfall of cash to buy their apartment building. The investment inlcudes the garage for Eddie’s tow truck business and an old pub downstairs, which they transform into a sports bar.
AJ Austin on The Resident
Warner’s role as the award-winning doctor AJ Austin is hailed as his finest acting work. For six seasons, he played the new hotshot Cardiothoracic, General, and Trauma surgeon at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. It is a layered, nuanced performance as Austin navigates a traumatic past, volatile present, and guides new residents through the demands of their new careers.
“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor. He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on,” Chestnut wrote.
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones.
