Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Biography
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (August 18, 1970 – July 20, 2025) was a multifaceted American actor, musician, and poet, best known for his role as Theodore "Theo" Huxtable on the iconic NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). His performance garnered him a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards, marking a significant milestone in his career.
In addition to his breakout role, Warner starred in several other television series, including Malcolm McGee on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000) and Kurdy Malloy in the sci-fi drama Jeremiah (2002–2004). He portrayed Dr. Alex Reed in the comedy Reed Between the Lines (2011–2015) and Dr. AJ Austin in the medical drama The Resident (2018–2023). His talent extended to guest appearances in notable shows like The Magic School Bus, Community, and Sons of Anarchy, showcasing his versatility across genres.
Beyond acting, Warner was also a gifted musician; he played bass guitar and lent his voice to various projects. He received the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2015 for his work on a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s "Jesus Children of America" and earned a nomination for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in 2022.
Tragically, Warner's life was cut short when he drowned in July 2025 at the age of 54, leaving behind a legacy marked by creativity and talent.
Filmography
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Fool's Gold
2008 • Cordell
Tyson
1995 • Rory Holloway
Drop Zone
1994 • Terry Nessip
Shot (2017)
2017 • EMT Jones
The Magic School Bus
1994 • The Producer
Ten Days in the Valley
2017 • Matt Walker
Jeremiah
2002 • Kurdy
The Resident
2018 • AJ Austin
The Cosby Show
1984 • Theo Huxtable
Listen Up!
2004 • Bernie Widmer
Reed Between the Lines
2011 • Alex Reed
Malcolm & Eddie
1996 • Malcolm McGee