
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Biography
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (August 18, 1970 – July 20, 2025) was an American actor, musician, and poet. He rose to prominence for his role as Theodore "Theo" Huxtable on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992), which earned him a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards.
His other starring television roles include Malcolm McGee in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), Kurdy Malloy in Jeremiah (2002–2004), Dr. Alex Reed in the sitcom Reed Between the Lines (2011–2015), and Dr. AJ Austin in the Fox medical drama The Resident (2018–2023). Warner also had recurring roles in many shows including The Magic School Bus (1994–1997), Community (2011–2012), Major Crimes (2013–2016), Sons of Anarchy (2014), American Horror Story (2014–2015), Suits (2016–2017), Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (2017–2018), Sneaky Pete (2017–2019), and 9-1-1 (2024). He occasionally acted in films such as Drop Zone (1994), Restaurant (1998), and Fool's Gold (2008).
Outside of acting, Warner was a vocalist and bass guitarist. He won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his contribution to a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Jesus Children of America" and was nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in 2022.
Warner died in a drowning accident in July 2025, aged 54.
Known For

TV
Dexter
Rita's Lawyer
2006

TV
Sliders
R.J.
1995

TV
Suits
Julius Rowe
2011

TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host
1975

TV
9-1-1
Amir Casey
2018

TV
The View
Self
1997

TV
Hollywood Squares
Self - Panelist
1998

TV
American Horror Story
Angus T. Jefferson
2011

TV
Golden Globe Awards
Self - Accepting Award
1944

TV
Community
Andre Bennett
2009

TV
Sons of Anarchy
Sticky
2008

TV
The Resident
AJ Austin
2018

TV
Sherri
Self - Guest
2022
TV
Good Day Live
Self
2001

TV
The Cosby Show
Theo Huxtable
1984

TV
Lethal Weapon
David Reed
2016

TV
A Different World
Theo Huxtable
1987

TV
Touched by an Angel
Zack
1994

TV
Matlock
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
1986

TV
Key & Peele
Dad #3
2012
Filmography
2025TVSeen & Heard: The History of Black Televisionas Self2024TVMurder in a Small Townas Richard Bannister2023TVCarol & the End of the Worldas (voice)2023TVThe Irrationalas Dustin Atwood2023TVAlert: Missing Persons Unitas Chief Inspector Bill Houston2022TVSherrias Self - Guest2021TVThe Wonder Yearsas Melvin2018TVThe Residentas AJ Austin2018TVgrown-ishas Darnell2018TV9-1-1as Amir Casey2017TVWhite Famousas Nelson Youngblood2017TVTen Days in the Valleyas Matt Walker2017FilmShotas EMT Jones2017TVDetroitersas Sebastian2016TVLethal Weaponas David Reed2016TVAmerican Crime Storyas Al Cowlings2015TVSneaky Peteas James Bagwell2015FilmMegachurch Murderas Hamilton Spears2014TVGirlfriends' Guide to Divorceas Darrell2013TVThe Michael J. Fox Showas Russell2012TVMajor Crimesas Lt. Chuck Cooper2012TVKey & Peeleas Dad #32011TVReed Between the Linesas Alex Reed2011TVAmerican Horror Storyas Angus T. Jefferson2011TVSuitsas Julius Rowe2011FilmKing of the Undergroundas Malcom2010Film2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Driftas (archive footage)2009TVSherrias Kevin2009TVCommunityas Andre Bennett2009TVHawthorne2008TVSons of Anarchyas Sticky2008TVThe Cleaner2008TVThe Wendy Williams Show2008TVSecret Talents of the Starsas Contestant2008FilmFool's Goldas Cordell2007FilmThe Listas Randy2006TVDexteras Rita's Lawyer2006FilmMy Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itageas Self2005TV100 Greatest Kid Stars2005TVThe Search for the Funniest Mom in America2004FilmGenius. A Night for Ray Charlesas Self2004TVListen Up!as Bernie Widmer2002FilmThe Cosby Show: A Look Backas Self / Theo Huxtable (archive footage)2002FilmNBC 75th Anniversary Specialas Self2002TVJeremiahas Kurdy2001TVGood Day Liveas Self2001FilmThe Legend of the Candy Caneas Rusty (voice)2000TVStatic Shockas Lester Biggs (voice)2000FilmRestaurantas Steven1999TVWhere Are They Now?as Self1999FilmA Fare to Rememberas Winter Valen1998TVHollywood Squaresas Self - Panelist1998FilmSaturday Night Live: The Best of Phil Hartmanas Theo Huxtable1997TVThe Viewas Self1996TVMalcolm & Eddieas Malcolm McGee1996TVE! True Hollywood Story1995FilmThe Tuskegee Airmenas Leroy Cappy1995FilmTysonas Rory Holloway1995TVSlidersas R.J.1994FilmDrop Zoneas Terry Nessip1994TVTouched by an Angelas Zack1994TVThe Magic School Busas The Producer (voice)1994TVAll Thatas Self1993FilmSesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebrationas Self (segment "Monster in the Mirror")1992FilmThe Real Malcolm X1992FilmSurviving A Break-Upas Self1992TVHere and Nowas Alexander 'A.J.' James1992FilmTime Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS and Youas Self1990TVThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airas Eric Sanders1990FilmThe Earth Day Specialas Theo Huxtable1990FilmThe Real Story of Itsy Bitsy Spideras Spinner (voice)1989FilmMother's Dayas Cullen Sturgis1987FilmThe Father Clements Story1987TVA Different Worldas Theo Huxtable1987TVTour of Dutyas SPC Ben Sweet1986FilmA Desperate Exitas Charlie Curtis1986FilmDisneyland's Summer Vacation Partyas Self1986TVMatlockas Malcolm-Jamal Warner1986FilmShow Off! How to Be Cool at Parties1985FilmAndy Williams and the NBC Kids Search for Santaas Self1985FilmThe NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There1985TVCBS Storybreakas Host1985FilmNight of 100 Stars IIas Self1984TVThe Cosby Showas Theo Huxtable1982TVMatt Houston1976TVBattle of the Network Stars1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self - Host1975TVPeople's Choice Awardsas Self - Host1972TVABC Afterschool Specialas Charlie Curtis1944TVGolden Globe Awardsas Self - Accepting Award—FilmHome Alone: A Kid's Guide to Playing It Safe When on Your Ownas Self