Malcolm-Jamal Warner, perhaps best known as Theo Huxtable from the classic television series The Cosby Show, has died. He was only 54 years young. Warner’s portrayal of the beloved character resonated with audiences during the show’s run from 1984 to 1992, marking a significant era in television history.
Born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner cultivated his love for acting from a young age. He attended a performing arts high school in New York City. There, he sharpened his talents and got the starring role that would make him world-renowned. His work on The Cosby Show even earned him an Emmy nomination, securing his contributions to television history.
After a successful stint on The Cosby Show, Warner proved that he was an elite talent and continued to do so regardless of the platform. He played Alex Reed on the BET show Reed Between the Lines from 2011-15. In addition to his prominent roles, he made guest appearances on notable shows such as Major Crimes, Suits, The Resident, 9-1-1, and Alert: Missing Persons Unit.
Warner also ventured into podcasting, hosting Not All Hood, where he aimed to explore the diverse narratives within the Black community. His deep belief in portraying the complex realities of Black life jumped off the page.
“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,” – Malcolm-Jamal Warner [People]
Despite the series’ tarnished legacy, throughout his career, Warner was proud of his work on The Cosby Show. He expressed this sentiment in a previous interview, stating, “I know I can speak for all of the cast when I say the Cosby Show is something that we are still very proud of.”