Latest news with #Malcolm-Jamal
Newsweek
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Was America's Brother
I am sad, so profoundly sad. I screamed, literally, on a call, when an alert crossed my laptop this week that Malcolm-Jamal Warner had died. I could not believe it, did not want to believe he, my friend, had drowned during a swim, somewhere in Costa Rica, while on a vacation with his wife and little daughter. Fifty-four, only 54-years-old. Why do the good often go prematurely? Matthew Perry. Tupac Shakur. Amy Winehouse. Kurt Cobain. Marilyn Monroe. Aaliyah. Bobby Kennedy. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Billie Holiday. Bruce Lee. Selena. Janis Joplin. Vincent van Gogh. Whitney Houston. James Dean. Princess Diana. Brittany Murphy, the list is diverse, mythical, and, yes, so profoundly sad. Meanwhile, we have also had a relentless parade of Black male celebrities—Chadwick Boseman, Kobe Bryant, DMX, Michael K. Williams, and more than I dare to count this decade—just go, gone, none of them even remotely senior citizens. Any death troubles my soul mightily, no matter who it is, famous or not. But I must admit, without shame, that it hurts in a certain kind of way any time I hear of another Black man gone, as elder Black folks often say, before their time. The late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner attends the Disney ABC Television Group TCA summer press tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 6, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. The late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner attends the Disney ABC Television Group TCA summer press tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 6, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images Now it is Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Emmy-nominated actor. Grammy-winning musician. Grammy-nominated poet. Beloved husband, father, son. I do not recall when nor where nor how I first personally met him, but it was back in the day. Nevertheless, like hundreds of millions of viewers across the planet I was introduced to Malcolm-Jamal via The Cosby Show, one of only three U.S. television programs which have been No. 1 in ratings for five seasons (the others: All In The Family and American Idol). To say The Cosby Show was revolutionary and game-changing would be a gross understatement. In the 1980s America of Ronald Reagan, the AIDS and crack epidemics, and the initial explosion of brands like Apple and Nike, the show was a unicorn. It saved a struggling NBC network. It introduced our nation to a different way of viewing the Black experience. It became a global pop culture phenomenon during its eight-season run. We had never witnessed a Black family like this in television history: two professional parents with five children—four girls and one boy—supremely confident in their beings, the entire household a manifestation of the post-civil rights era of what was possible. No racist stereotypes, no demeaning facial expressions, no bowed heads, and no broken bodies from the old Hollywood. Yes, legit and righteous representation do matter, and as the lone male child in the clan Malcolm-Jamal remixed Theo Huxtable with an enchanting recipe of Black boy joy, a cool jazz meets hip-hop swagger, and an unsatiable thirst for the wholeness of life. Bill Cosby acts with Malcolm-Jamal Warner in a scene from "The Cosby Show." Bill Cosby acts with Malcolm-Jamal Warner in a scene from "The Cosby Show." Jacques M. Chenet/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images I am just slightly older than Malcolm-Jamal and never thought I would see someone like him on television. But there he was, in living color. I was inspired. I was doubly amped when I learned he had been born in Jersey City, N.J. like me. He was me and I was him. In Malcolm-Jamal's smile and laughter were mine, too. In his struggles from boyhood to manhood were my trials and tribulations, too. He was a kindred spirit, and, moreover, what Mary Tyler Moore meant to women 10 years earlier is what Malcolm-Jamal Warner meant to Black America, to boys Black like me. No, we cannot delete what the show's creator, Bill Cosby, has been charged with these many moons later. The rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment allegations are brutal and "tarnished," as Malcolm-Jamal said in one interview, the great legacy of The Cosby Show, likely forever. But we also cannot merely throw away this historic TV show and its participants because of one person. The Malcolm-Jamal Warner that I came to know, as an actor, as a musician, as a fellow poet, as a voice, leader, and bridge-builder, was kind, supportive, and genuinely full of hope and love. If one simply scans any social media platform since the tragedy one will see the testimonies, from a wide spectrum, saying the exact same. Malcolm-Jamal Warner was a very different kind of man. Alas, I do not know what Malcolm-Jamal Warner thought about the accusations against his TV father other than a few statements here and there that one can easily Google. I imagine that he was tormented, and torn. I never spoke with him about being on a hit TV show so early in life. He knew I knew, just like I know he knew I had been on the very first season of MTV's The Real World. Ours was a safe space, two products of pop culture, who preferred to speak about poetry, music, and hip-hop. Two Black men in America, on this Earth, trying to navigate any and all spaces, perpetually, as we journeyed through the chapters of Reagan, the Bushes, the Clintons, Obama, Biden, and Trump. I do know in losing Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and the way we lost him, with so much breath still to breathe, leaving his wife and daughter and mother and father behind, is collective trauma that is unexplainable. I have cried, my wife has cried, my wife's mother and so many others we know have cried. Because losing him is akin to losing a blood relative, a close friend. Because Malcolm-Jamal, named after civil rights icon Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, was truly the brother we all needed. Kevin Powell is a Grammy-nominated poet, filmmaker, and author of 16 books. He previously wrote a Newsweek cover story on Spike Lee. Kevin lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. Follow him on all social media platforms: @poetkevinpowell. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Bill Cosby breaks silence over The Cosby Show co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death
Bill Cosby has spoken out following the tragic death of his The Cosby Show co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, saying the news reminded him of his son's murder Bill Cosby is responding to the devastating news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner's shocking death, revealing it brought back painful memories of when his own son was murdered. Malcolm-Jamal's sudden death from accidental drowning during a family holiday in Costa Rica was confirmed on Monday, July 21. Bill's representative, Andrew Wyatt, revealed to TMZ that when Bill received the call about Malcolm-Jamal's passing, it instantly reminded him of the moment he was told his son Ennis Cosby had been fatally shot during a botched robbery whilst he was in the studio filming The Cosby Show in January 1997 and in 2018 Bill also lost his daughter Esna at the age of 44. Andrew explained that Malcolm-Jamal's death had an identical impact on Bill as his son's murder. He also explained how the Resident star used to play with Ennis during their childhood and "were amazing together.", reports the Mirror US. Father and son Bill and Malcolm-Jamal collaborated on The Cosby Show as father and son. The publication reported they were informed that during Bill's final conversation with Malcolm-Jamal, the late 54 year old was thrilled about a major concert in Minneapolis and "felt like he was changing the world." Andrew revealed that Bill is reminiscing about the time Malcolm-Jamal visited the Cosby family's estate in Massachusetts and how he had Bill's relatives in stitches during his visit. According to Bill's representative, the Little Bill star believes that Malcolm-Jamal has made a profound impact on his life and acting career that will continue to shape the world. It's reported that Bill said every young man who grew up in the projects back then aspired to be like Malcolm-Jamal and have a family like the Huxtables. What is The Cosby Show? The Cosby Show depicted the lives of the Huxtables, an upper middle-class Black American family living in Brooklyn, New York. The fictional family's father and mother were portrayed by Bill (as Cliff Huxtable) and Phylicia Rashad (as Clair Huxtable), respectively. Malcolm-Jamal played one of the five children and the only boy, Theo Huxtable, on the renowned sitcom which aired for eight seasons from 1984 to 1992. Bill and Malcolm-Jamal shared a complicated relationship, particularly in the wake of the 88 year old's sexual assault allegations and conviction. In 2015, numerous accusations alleging Bill of sexual assault from a significant number of women became public. Did Bill Cosby do anything wrong? The shamed comedian was found guilty in 2018 on three counts of aggravated indecent assault and was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. However, in 2021, the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court overturned the conviction, leading to Bill's release from jail. Over the years, Malcolm-Jamal has shared his mixed feelings about the accusations levelled against Bill and his subsequent conviction. In 2015, when the allegations against Bill became public, he described the situation as "painful". "He's one of my mentors, and he's been very influential and played a big role in my life as a friend and mentor," Malcolm-Jamal confessed to Billboard shortly after. "Just as it's painful to hear any woman talk about sexual assault, whether true or not, it's just as painful to watch my friend and mentor go through this." He continued, "I can't really speak on any of the allegations because obviously, I was not there. "The Bill Cosby I know has been great to me and great for a lot of he's done for comedy and television has been legendary and history-making. What he's done for the black community and education has been invaluable. "That's the Bill Cosby I know. I can't speak on the other stuff." Final word His most recent public interview addressing the allegation was in 2023 with journalist Jemele Hill. When asked if he felt "resentful" that Bill's situation had affected the lives of The Cosby Show cast and the show's reputation, he responded: "No. Not resentment ... I get how this business works, for one. "And just that whole situation is so layered, man," he replied. "I can't defend him or his actions at all. But I also can't throw him under the bus completely," Malcolm-Warner went on to say. "Because I have an understanding of all the layers. "It's so complex and it's so many shades of gray, that most people will never get. There is the piece of the financial hit that we all took but also it hasn't really affected my career."
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tributes pour in for Cosby Show star who died aged 54
Malcolm-Jamal Warner has reportedly passed away at the age of 54. The actor is best known for his role on The Cosby Show, with him earning acclaim for his performance on the show, reports MirrorOnline. The actor, who had a wife and daughter, has been the subject of tributes today after reports that he has died. READ MORE: Boy, 10, who died in England school bus crash named Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join According to TMZ, a source has claimed that Malcolm-Jamal died due to accidental drowning. Costa Rican National Police stated that Malcolm-Jamal drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday and that his official cause of death was asphyxia. Police believe that he was caught by a high current in the water and was found Sunday afternoon. Malcolm-Jamal is best known for having played Theodore Huxtable on the sitcom The Cosby Show, which aired on NBC from 1984 to 1992. He appeared in all eight seasons of the show and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in 1986. His character Theo, whose storylines included being diagnosed with dyslexia, was introduced as the son of Cliff Huxtable (played by Bill Cosby) and Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad), and the finale centred on his college graduation. The actor is also known for his role as Malcolm McGee, one of the two lead roles alongside co-star Eddie Griffin, on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, which ran from 1996 to 2000. He later played Dr. Alex Reed in the BET sitcom Reed Between the Lines, which ran for two seasons from 2011 to 2015. Malcom-Jamal has also appeared in shows like Dexter, Community, Sons of Anarchy and American Horror Story: Freak Show. More recently, he portrayed Al 'A.C.' Cowlings in the first season of American Crime Story, subtitled The People v. O. J. Simpson, in 2016. He had a recurring role as Julius Rowe on Suits between 2016 and 2017, before starring as Dr. AJ Austin on The Resident. He appeared in all six seasons of the Fox medical drama, which launched in 2018 and then concluded in 2023. Aside from his acting career, Malcolm-Jamal is also credited as a producer on the animated series of the Magic School Bus from 1994 to 1997. He's also a Grammy Award winner, having received the accolade in the Best Traditional R&B Performance as a featured artist on Robert Glasper Experiment's song Jesus Children in 2015. The news of Malcolm-Jamal's death has prompted tributes on X. One person wrote: "RIP to the talented and unforgettable Malcolm-Jamal Warner." Another said: "I'm really sad about Malcolm Jamal Warner. Messed my day up." A third fan wrote: "Malcolm-Jamal Warner was known for acting, but he was also one hell of a poet. May his poetry and legacy live on forever." Another tribute read: "RIP Malcolm-Jamal Warner, a warm, welcome presence in front of and behind the camera that has been taken from us far too soon." Someone else said: "Rest in peace, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Your work touched so many lives, and your legacy will endure. Gone far too soon." Whilst another fan wrote: "Extremely sad to read the news that Malcolm-Jamal Warner has passed away. What a true talent. Thoughts and prayers for all who knew and loved him."
Irish Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies aged 54 after 'accidental drowning'
Malcolm-Jamal Warner has reportedly died at the age of 54. The actor is best known for his role on The Cosby Show, having received acclaim for his performance on the programme. The actor, who has a wife and daughter, has been the subject of tributes today following reports that he has died, reports The Mirror. According to TMZ, a source has claimed that Malcolm-Jamal died as a result of an accidental drowning. Costa Rican National Police said that Malcolm-Jamal drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday and that his official cause of death was asphyxia. Police believe that he was caught by a high current in the water and was discovered on Sunday afternoon. Bill Cosby and Malcolm-Jamal Warner on the set of The Cosby Show (Image: NBCUniversal via Getty Images) Malcolm-Jamal is best known for having played Theodore Huxtable on the sitcom The Cosby Show, which ran on NBC from 1984 to 1992. He appeared in all eight seasons of the show and received an Emmy nomination for his role in 1986. His character Theo, whose storylines included being diagnosed with dyslexia, was introduced as the son of Cliff Huxtable (played by Bill Cosby) and Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad), and the finale centred on his college graduation. The actor is also known for his role as Malcolm McGee, one of the two lead roles alongside co-star Eddie Griffin, on the UPN sitcom Malcolm and Eddie, which ran from 1996 to 2000. He later played Dr. Alex Reed in the BET sitcom Reed Between the Lines, which ran for two seasons. Malcom-Jamal has also appeared in shows like Dexter, Community, Sons of Anarchy and American Horror Story: Freak Show. More recently, he portrayed Al 'A.C.' Cowlings in the first season of American Crime Story, subtitled The People v. O. J. Simpson, in 2016. He had a recurring role as Julius Rowe on Suits between 2016 and 2017, before starring as Dr. AJ Austin on The Resident. He appeared in all six seasons of the Fox medical drama, which launched in 2018 and then concluded in 2023. Cast of the Cosby Show (Image: NBC via Getty Images) Aside from his acting career, Malcolm-Jamal is also credited as a producer on the animated series of the Magic School Bus from 1994 to 1997. He's also a Grammy Award winner, having received the accolade in the Best Traditional RandB Performance as a featured artist on Robert Glasper Experiment's song Jesus Children in 2015. The news of Malcolm-Jamal's death has prompted tributes on X. One person wrote: "RIP to the talented and unforgettable Malcolm-Jamal Warner." Another said: "I'm really sad about Malcolm Jamal Warner. Messed my day up." A third fan wrote: "Malcolm-Jamal Warner was known for acting, but he was also one hell of a poet. May his poetry and legacy live on forever." Another tribute read: "RIP Malcolm-Jamal Warner, a warm, welcome presence in front of and behind the camera that has been taken from us far too soon." Someone else said: "Rest in peace, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Your work touched so many lives, and your legacy will endure. Gone far too soon." Whilst another fan wrote: "Extremely sad to read the news that Malcolm-Jamal Warner has passed away. What a true talent. Thoughts and prayers for all who knew and loved him." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Malcolm-Jamal Warner dead: Cosby Show star dies aged 54 after 'accidental drowning'
Malcolm-Jamal Warner has reportedly died at the age of 54. The actor is best known for his role on the Cosby Show, with him receiving acclaim for his performance on the show. According to TMZ, a source has claimed that Malcolm-Jamal died as a result of an accidental drowning. Malcolm is best known for having played Theodore Huxtable on the sitcom The Cosby Show, which ran on NBC from 1984 to 1992. He appeared in all eight seasons of the show and received an Emmy nomination for his role in 1986. His character Theo, whose storylines included being diagnosed with dyslexia, was introduced as the son of Cliff Huxtable (played by Bill Cosby) and Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad), and the finale centred on his college graduation.
