As Theo Huxtable, Malcolm-Jamal Warner solidified his spot in our hearts, minds, and the tradition without end. Whereas hundreds of thousands mourn the surprising demise of The Cosby Present actor, followers fondly keep in mind all that this multitalented star gave the world for greater than 40 years.
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From without end humorous moments just like the notorious Gordon Gartrell shirt to giving a voice to silent struggles like dyslexia, Warner delivered a vibrant, complicated, and heart-warming portrayal of Black boyhood. In 1986, the efficiency earned him an Emmy nomination for Excellent Supporting Actor in a Comedy Collection.
For a number of generations, Theo wasn’t only a beloved character — he was household. And Warner’s tragic passing in a drowning accident hits like he’s nonetheless the massive brother many people knew and cherished since childhood.
Beyoncé up to date her web site with a memorial on the high: “Relaxation in energy Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Thanks for being an enormous a part of our shared tv historical past. You may be missed.”
Devastated reactions proceed pouring in from celebrities and public figures like Invoice Cosby, who in contrast the information to that of studying of his personal son’s homicide.
Maxwell recalled being star-struck when he met Warner.
“I keep in mind assembly u and never believing that ‘theo’ himself was conscious of me. the black illustration of our biggest variation. that is devastating my prayers and nicely needs to your family members. relaxation in peace malcolm,” the soulful singer wrote.
Magic Johnson recalled going from an excellent fan of Warner’s to sharing deep conversations collectively.
“Cookie and I are unhappy to listen to in regards to the passing of our pricey buddy Malcolm-Jamal Warner. We have been each tremendous followers of the hit Cosby Present and continued to comply with his profession on exhibits like Malcolm and Eddie and The Resident. Each time I bumped into Malcolm, we’d have deep and enjoyable conversations about basketball, life, and enterprise. He’ll actually be missed.
“Cookie and I are praying his household and shut associates throughout this troublesome time,” he wrote.
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump remembered his award-winning spoken phrase.
“Malcolm-Jamal Warner, beloved for his function as Theo on The Cosby Present, has died at age 54. From Emmy-nominated actor to Grammy-nominated poet, he gave us many years of artwork, reality, and expertise. His voice, on display screen and in verse, will likely be deeply missed. Relaxation in energy,” the lawyer.
Whereas the 54-year-old will at all times reside on as Theo, that was simply the breakthrough function in a profession that spanned greater than 40 years.
Learn extra about Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s contributions to the tradition exterior of Theo Huxtable after the flip.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Off-Digicam
The previous youngster star was simply as dynamic behind the digicam as he was on-screen. In 1989, Malcolm-Jamal Warner made his directing debut with music movies for New Version’s “N.E. Coronary heart Break” and Particular Ed’s “I’m The Magnificent.”
He introduced his skills residence to The Cosby Present, the place he directed 5 episodes, together with the enduring “Off to See the Wretched” episode. All of us in all probability understand it because the “massive enjoyable” second.
Warner went on to nurture the subsequent era of rising stars as a director on exhibits like The Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air, Kenan & Kel, and All That. He continued to tug double responsibility as each the star and producer on 44 episodes of the hit comedy present with Eddie Griffin, Malcolm & Eddie, and 27 episodes of the blended household sitcom with Tracee Ellis Ross, Reed Between The Strains.
Assembly The Actual Malcolm-Jamal Warner By means of Poetry & Podcasts
Crediting his dad and mom’ help since childhood, Warner’s creativity knew no bounds. He was an achieved poet who received a Grammy for Greatest Conventional R&B efficiency in 2015 for his poem for the victims of the Sandy Hook college taking pictures on “Jesus Kids,” a Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway remake of the Stevie Surprise basic.
Warner received the first-ever Grammy for Greatest Spoken Phrase Poetry Album in 2022 for Hiding in Plain View. For greater than 20 years, he has been a daily performer on the Nationwide Black Theatre Competition.
In 2003, he additionally formally launched a music profession with The Miles Lengthy Mixtape. The follow-up to that jazz-funk fusion got here in 2007 with Love & Different Social Points. For the 54-year-old, the music didn’t cease after that. He continued jamming as a bass participant for the Organic Misfits, with an look on the 2024 Indy Jazz Fest.
Final yr, Warner took his deep ideas and conversations to a brand new platform with the Not All Hood (NAH) podcast, co-hosted by Candace Kelley and Weusi Baraka. It gave followers a deeper, extra weak have a look at the star because the hosts explored the complexities of the Black neighborhood.
“After we speak in regards to the Black neighborhood, we have a tendency to talk of it as a monolith when the truth is there are such a lot of completely different aspects of the Black neighborhood, and we needed to have an area the place we are able to actually discover, focus on, and acknowledge all of these completely different features,” Warner informed Individuals.
Warner’s buddy believed that there shouldn’t be separate classes within the first place as a result of their service as troopers ought to’ve mattered most. Nonetheless, Warner mirrored on the historical past of army segregation, discrimination, and withheld advantages for Black veterans. Given this nation’s previous and current, the indicator of “Black” turned greater than a subset in Warner’s thoughts.
“For the primary time it made me factor of Black excellence otherwise. Black excellence now could be attributed to fame and cash, in order that’s been my challenge with it. However now after I’m trying into the story, Black survival in of itself is Black excellence,” he stated.
“The whole lot that we’ve got to muster, all of our assets—whether or not or not it’s non secular, whether or not or not it’s relational, whether or not or not it’s political to no matter extent—every part that we’ve got needed to muster simply to play on this enjoying discipline is what makes us wealthy as Black folks, as Black tradition,” Warner continued.
Watch Malcom-Jamal Warner’s last episode of Not All Hood (NAH) that includes Tameka “Georgia Me” Harper beneath.
Try extra of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s performances after the flip.
What To Watch If You’re Lacking Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Nothing beats watching Warner develop up onscreen as Theo, however it’s clear his creativity and ambition solely took off after Cosby. For followers desirous to revisit the stellar work from his 43-year profession, listed here are some extra highlights.
The Producer on Magic Faculty Bus
Actual followers know the Magic Faculty Bus sequence wouldn’t go as far with out The Producer character connecting the dots because the host. Warner voiced the character, who answered questions from children calling in from world wide. He defined academic and unbelievable examples of ideas depicted on the present, typically including further context. The unique run of the animated present is ideal for a consolation watch.
Malcolm McGee on Malcolm & Eddie
Whether or not you recognize all of the episodes by coronary heart or haven’t seen a single one but, there’s by no means a foul time to observe Malcolm & Eddie. Warner performs the straight-laced reverse of comic Eddie Griffin. As greatest associates and roommates, hilarious shenanigans ensue once they use a sudden windfall of money to purchase their residence constructing. The funding consists of the storage for Eddie’s tow truck enterprise and an outdated pub downstairs, which they remodel right into a sports activities bar.
AJ Austin on The Resident
Warner’s function as Dr. AJ Austin is hailed as his best appearing work. For six seasons, he performed the brand new hotshot cardiothoracic, basic, and trauma surgeon at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. It’s a layered, nuanced efficiency as Dr. Austin navigates a traumatic previous, unstable current, and guides new residents via the calls for of their new careers.
“Heartbroken to listen to in regards to the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor. He introduced a lot depth, heat, and knowledge to each scene and each dialog. One of many nicest within the enterprise. Relaxation straightforward, brother. Your legacy lives on,” co-star Morris Chestnut wrote.
Warner is survived by his spouse and daughter. Our condolences exit to his household and family members.