Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Early life

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.

Podcasting

In June 2024, Warner and cohosts Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley created the Not All Hood (NAH) podcast to discuss the lives and experiences of Black Americans.

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

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

References

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