The man we all grew up knowing as “Theo” from “The Cosby Show” has passed away as result of an accidental drowning. This news comes from TMZ who got the news from an “unconfirmed, though reliable source.”
When it comes to Black excellence on screen and behind the scenes, few have had a journey quite like Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Warner’s impact stretches far beyond the sitcom that made him a household name.
Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was named after civil rights icon Malcolm X and jazz legend Ahmad Jamal, setting the tone for a career grounded in culture and creativity. He stepped into the spotlight at just 14 years old, and by 1986, he had already earned an Emmy nomination for his role as the beloved, relatable Theo.
But Warner didn’t stop at sitcom stardom.
Over the years, he’s taken on powerful roles in hit series like Malcolm & Eddie, Reed Between the Lines, and The Resident, where he played Dr. AJ Austin. He’s also shown up in American Crime Story, Sons of Anarchy, and most recently 9-1-1 and Alert: Missing Persons Unit.
Off camera, Warner is a Grammy-winning spoken-word artist and musician. He has performed at our very own Joyce Littel’s Passion and Poetry, and his 2015 Grammy win came from a soulful collaboration on “Jesus Children” with Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway.
He’s also directed episodes of classic shows like Kenan & Kel and All That, and even produced The Magic School Bus for PBS.
Warner kept his private life quiet, but he was a proud father and husband. He was 54 years old.