Our Brother Theo: An Appreciation of Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Jonathan L. Allen counts himself among them.
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'He was smart, funny, witty, and for me, even now reflecting on his legacy, I am still seeing the degree to which my own imagination was expanded about who I could be and what was possible just by seeing him on that screen.'
As cofounder of
'Theo was living a life within the show where his parents had graduate degrees. This is what we want at Leadership Brainery, what we desire to see and be able to achieve. On that show, Theo had dyslexia and they called that episode 'Theo's Gift.' To see those challenges as gifts and see those challenges with grace, and to lead how to have tough conversations around education and still overcome them? Malcolm himself was a gift.'
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It's been a hard week for the Xennial pop culture collective. Ozzy Osbourne died at 76. Hulk Hogan died at 71. And our dear brother Malcolm-Jamal Warner died at 54, almost a month before his 55th birthday. They were all legends in their own ways.
Few entertainers can live up to the myths we make about them as we create giants of our greats. Warner did. Beyond his role on 'The Cosby Show,' outside of any role he played, Warner exhibited genuine character. On Def Poetry Jam, he celebrated Black love and Black women. In interviews and on stages through music, poetry, and dialogue, he spoke out on the importance of fighting negative stereotypes and living in loving truths. He brought people together.
Nick Bates, director of
'A lot of us didn't just watch 'The Cosby Show,' we were able to experience certain fundamental experiences through him, through a nuclear family. We see him go from boyhood to manhood.'
Some years ago, Bates joined a virtual brotherhood of fathers and men dedicated to cultivating community for a better future.
'Malcolm-Jamal Warner came in and dropped really pointed and meaningful words about fatherhood and being a husband. It's always been fascinating for us to cultivate a variety of ways that maleness can look beyond toxic masculinity. Malcolm-Jamal Warner showed us the possibilities through his characters, and he did that in real life.'
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The Huxtables had an impact well beyond 1992, when the last episode of 'The Cosby Show' aired. James 'Avenue' Fitzpatrick, a Boston rapper and cofounder of
'Theo was like a big brother,' he said. 'He was cool, he was intelligent, and self-aware at a young age. As a child, I noticed that. I remember the first time I saw Malcolm-Jamal Warner host 'Showtime at the Apollo,' and I saw him in music videos like New Edition's 'N.E. Heart Break.' Are you sure that show ended in 1992?'
It was so present in his home, he didn't notice it was reruns he was watching throughout most of the '90s until this week.
Warner, the man, and Warner in his portrayal of Theo are so filled with palpable love, joy, and authenticity that love lives in us now. Still present. We remember in ways that make it hard to believe that show ended 33 years ago. On-air and off, we just kept growing with him.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner: our distant brother from another. We give thanks.
The Read | Story of the moment
Clipse's 'The Birds Don't Sing' and vulnerability
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 16: (L-R) Pusha T and Malice of Clipse perform onstage during the 2025 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by)
Kevin Winter/Getty
We're still in our feels with the latest Clipse album, and Andscape's Justin Tinsley unpacks some of why
A palpable vulnerability reverberates in every lyric, drum kick, and John Legend's haunting vocals. But most importantly for me, 'The Birds Don't Sing' allowed me to do something I have yet to do for one reason or another this year: sit with my grandmother's death.
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The Watch
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was and is beloved beyond Theo Huxtable, and this talk on vulnerability he gave for TEDx Talks in 2023, reminds us of who he is and what he stood for. His beautiful resistance was standing in his truth with tenderness and love and joy as he subverted stereotypes.
Black parade | The vibes we're on right now
Roxbury—08/24/2024 Elvin Gonzalez talks on the phone as his Puerto Rico flag blows in the wind. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff (metro)
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Joy pushas | Holding space for happiness
David Chae of by Chae
Handout
We're celebrating David Chae as our joy pusha this week. He's been dreaming of going into the business of food and beverages since he was 13. A month ago, the 20-year-old debuted
He grew up drinking matcha in Korea. He once sold Korean fried chicken out of his kitchen in high school. For him, it's always going to be about sharing a drink or a meal. He posts his locations throughout Greater Boston in his Instagram stories and spends a lot of time studying recipes of all kinds. Chae is starting his third year at Babson College, where he studies business and entrepreneurship.
What centers you?
Beyond joy, my center is always love. I am a huge believer in doing something I love for the rest of my life, loving and eating food, and sharing that, whether I am cooking it or sharing a restaurant recommendation, that is where I feel joy. Now I am making something people enjoy and it becomes a daily routine, and that is one of the best feelings ever.
What makes your life a beautiful resistance?
There are a lot of people who are worried about how hard this will be for me with school and give me reasons about why it wouldn't work, but I have realized that optimistic thinking and believing in myself and understanding small fails and winning big is the most successful part of my journey.
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Another issue comes up every day, but I think about the next possible optimizing action, and it helps me be better at what I am doing to overcome. It's mentally exhausting being a business owner, but I believe that whether you are 20, 40, or 60, the only thing that is going to limit you is your mindset. Block the noise. Be resistant. Focus on what you do.
Fresh finds | Supporting businesses owned by folks of color
Mattapan has flowers. Beautiful blooms reside in Boston Flower Co., a floral and workshop studio by Yanique Shaw. Custom floral design has long been her forte. Now there is a brick-and-mortar space for everyday access to stems that blossom with joy. Learn more at
What makes your life a beautiful resistance?
Jeneé Osterheldt can be reached at
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