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Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
The 44 Percent: Malcolm Jamal Warner, DEI, Miami takes on Go-go
There was always a suaveness to the way Malcolm-Jamal Warner carried himself. He had a way of making you feel like you knew him, be it through Twitter exchanges, the warmth he displayed in the projects he did following 'The Cosby Show,' including 'Reed Between The Lines' or 'The Magic School Bus.' He was humble and loving to anyone in his presence, no matter who you were. That's also why his death is difficult to process and feels so unfair. Malcolm was family, and not simply because we saw him on the TV screen playing Theo Huxtable, the lovably naive teen who captured our hearts and grew into a self-assured, college-educated young man. He carried a deep love for Black people and was committed to advancing the Black community through art and education. Malcolm-Jamal Warner's portrayal of Theo personified what was possible for young Black men growing up at a time when Black people were affected by the crack epidemic and when Black males were more often than not depicted as criminals. It was simply even more beautiful that he lived the life we'd dream Theo would have: a successful career dedicated to uplifting Black people, with a family to boot. Malcolm represented the best in us. INSIDE THE 305: DEI is 'elephant in the room' at Miami Beach conference for professionals of color More than 150 attendees filled a ballroom for the first day of ColorComm for a panel discussion on how changes to diversity, equity and inclusion programs affect professionals of color, Miami Herald reporter Michael Butler reported. In response to the 2020 murder of George Floyd by police, many companies developed DEI programs that have since been ended. At Wednesday's panel, the president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, a coalition of associations supporting Black businesses, emphasized the need to talk about DEI not just as a corporate trend but as a set of principles and values that affect real people. 'When you say those words, they're not attacking DEI — they're attacking you and I,' said the executive, Ron Busby. 'A quiet leader.' Miami Air Force veteran who inspired others dies at 92 Beloved veteran and friend Leonard Hopkins, who was profiled in a story along with fellow Black veterans by Michael Butler, died from prostate cancer on Sunday. He was 92. Leonard Hopkins and his fellow Black military veterans were regulars at a Miami McDonald's every morning except Christmas. They laughed, traded war stories and discussed current events over cups of coffee and orange juice. One of Hopkins' sons said that even though he was a 'quiet leader,' his presence spoke volumes, Butler wrote. 'He would say, when you walk in the room, people want to know who you are,' said son Stephen Hopkins, 65. 'When you leave the room they will want to know who you were.' OUTSIDE THE 305: LLWS star Mo'ne Davis eyes women's pro baseball league spot Mo'ne Davis, who rose to prominence at 13 in the Little League World Series, will try out for the Women's Professional Baseball League, ESPN reported. Davis, 24, will join other women's baseball stars such as Kelsie Whitmore, the first woman to sign a professional contract with an MLB-partnered league, at the tryouts, which will be held in Washington, D.C., from Aug. 22-25, according to the news outlet. Rachel Robinson, widow of UCLA icon and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, turns 103 Rachel Robinson, the widow of baseball icon Jackie Robinson, turned 103 this pas week, The UCLA Wire Reported. She celebrated her birthday on Saturday. Rachel and Jackie Robinson met while they both attended UCLA in the 1940s. The two got married in 1946, the outlet reported. Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier a year later with the Brooklyn Dodgers to begin a Hall of Fame baseball career. HIGH CULTURE: Celebrate go-go music at this annual event that takes over Miami this weekend For four days, the Miami Takeover will celebrate Black culture and the 50th anniversary of go-go, a subgenre of funk from Washington, D.C. Now in its 17th year, the festival will include pool parties, themed evening soirees and its premier night 'The Art of Go-Go,' which will highlight D-C. go-go bands. Where does 'The 44 Percent' name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter's title.
Buzz Feed
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Celebrities React To The Tragic And Unexpected Death Of Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Heartfelt tributes have been pouring in after news broke about the tragic death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Malcolm was pronounced dead on Sunday, July 20, after drowning in Costa Rica. He was vacationing with family when he was reportedly"dragged by a water current at the beach." His official cause of death was asphyxia and was deemed an "accidental drowning." Malcolm was 54. Malcolm was widely known for playing beloved characters like Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Dr. AJ Austin on The Resident, and The Producer, who appeared at the end of every episode of The Magic School Bus. Malcolm is survived by a wife and daughter, whose identities he opted to keep private. The New Jersey native kicked off his career in Hollywood as a child actor and has remained booked and busy for over 40 years, so it's no surprise that so many of his peers and fans honored his legacy with sweet memories they've shared together, and kind words about who he was as a person, and the undeinable impact he's left behind. Taraji P. Henson took to Instagram to share her feelings on the loss: "This one hurt. Malcolm, we grew up with you. Thank you for the art, the wisdom, the grace you gave us!!!!! You left the world better than you found it. Rest easy, king!!!! Your legacy lives far beyond the screen." Eddie Griffin, who co-starred with Malcolm on the hit '90s sitcom Malcom & Eddie, wrote this about his friend: "My Heart is heavy today…For what the world lost was a Father a Son a Poet a Musician a Actor a Teacher a Writer a Director a Friend a Warrior that I had the pleasure of going to war with against the Hollywood machine and sometimes with each other because that's what Brothers do but the Love was and is always there. You've taught me so much and I thank you. Rest Well My Big little Brother." Tracee Ellis Ross honored her TV husband from their show Reed Between the Lines: "I love you, Malcolm. First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I'm so sorry for this unimaginable loss." Jamie Foxx was at a loss for words: "Speechless on this one rest in power, my brother." Niecy Nash Betts sadly recalled that she just spoke to him recently: "My God we just spoke. You were giving me my flowers for my work in @grotesqueriefx and we talked about how happy we both were in our marriages. Damn friend You were cornerstone of The Cosby Show. We all loved Theo! Never to be forgotten. You will be missed. Rest Easy." Legendary actor, dancer and director, Debbie Allen, guest-starred on The Cosby Show alongside her sister Phylicia Rashad, and wrote this sweet message: "Malcolm, you are so loved. Gone too soon 🥲. Thank you for the joy, creativity and hope you brought the World. We will forever speak your name." Questlove wrote two lengthy posts about seeing himself in Malcolm at a young age: "If you looked like me coming of age in the 80s, Malcom-as-Theo was a gps/lighthouse of navigating safety to adulthood. For those of us that didnt have 'examples' or 'safe environments'—I would like to think for anyone of age we used this entire show —and its offspring as life blueprints Losing the Huxtables was a painful divorce I wasn't ready for but I never once thought about the offspring of that show transitioning before I did." "Seeing myself in every episode through his shoes: like being bad at football, wanting clothes outside of my budget, hiding things from your parents (ear piercings or weed), living in a 'respectable politics' house of jazz vs 'teen music' —-pssssh Theo being instrumental to a lion's share of gen x teens to see how a sampler worked!!! Or even singalongs at a family gathering—-him dealing with dyslexia ——he even had me think I too can get by in life surviving on 'bologna & cereal' and for the first time thinking about 'what does it mean to be an adult without depending on your parents?' Alot of us only had the Huxtables to vicariously live through and I was Malcolm. Meeting him on 94 was a thrill when I first got in the biz. Mal Jam was the earliest co-signer of the Roots. He attended many a show way before the world got to know us. All that time talking about music extensively and we never got our chance to collaborate as we said we would. He was an amazing soul who always took the time out to school me and talk about his experiences in life and the business. We always traded music and playlists with each other and despite all that he went through in life he expressed ZERO cynicism or bitterness in his journey and constantly lived in the present which dictated his future——he was never the guy stuck in a glory days bubble (but always graciously obliged me when I asked a gajillion questions of 'what was it like back then?!!).' I wasn't prepared to say goodbye in this manner but here we are in 2025. Love & Strength to his family and his loved ones and all of the people his life's journey inspired. Thank you Mal Jammin On The One!" Jennifer Love Hewitt spoke on working with Malcolm on the hit procedural drama series 9-1-1: "I cannot believe this. This hurts my heart. A gentleman, an incredible talent, and we were so lucky to have him in the 9-1-1 family. Heartbroken and sending love to his family." Vivica A. Fox highlighted the "gifts" Malcolm shared with the world: "I'm stunned & saddened to hear about the passing of Malcolm Jamal Warner. Thanks for ya gifts king. #GoneTooSoon #RestInParadise #RestInPeace." Regina King, who dated Malcolm from 2011-2013 and remained friends, shared personal photos of him with this sincere note: Sherri Shepherd wrote an earnest message about her friend, who she remembered being really "grounded" and a modern-day "renaissance man." Instagram: @sherrieshepherd Lastly, Quinta Brunson Quinta Brunson / Instagram: @quintab This doesn't even begin to cover all of the people he affected throughout his life and career. I'll continue to update this as more tributes are posted.
Pink Villa
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Malcolm-Jamal Warner's 10 Best Roles: The Cosby Show to The Resident and Beyond
Trigger Warning: This article contains references to an individual's death. Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54. The Emmy-nominated actor reportedly passed away on Sunday, July 20, after drowning off the coast of Costa Rica. Warner's career spanned decades, with memorable performances in sitcoms, dramas, and films. As fans mourn the loss, here's a look back at 10 of his most iconic roles. The Cosby Show Warner became a household name as Theo Huxtable, the lovable teen son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable. The sitcom followed an upper-middle-class Black family living in Brooklyn, New York. His chemistry with Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad played a significant role in defining the show's success. Warner earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for this role. The Resident Warner took on a serious medical role as Dr. AJ Austin in The Resident, a drama set in Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. He played a skilled and confident surgeon, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Warner appeared in nearly 100 episodes of the FOX series. Malcolm & Eddie In this buddy sitcom, Warner starred as Malcolm McGee alongside Eddie Griffin's Eddie Sherman. The show focused on two very different roommates living and working in Kansas City. Warner played the calm, by-the-book type, which contrasted with Griffin's energetic personality. Fool's Gold Warner appeared in the 2008 romantic adventure Fool's Gold, sharing the screen with Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. The film centered on a couple searching for lost treasure while trying to rekindle their relationship. Warner had a supporting role in this light-hearted film. Jeremiah Warner co-starred with Luke Perry in this post-apocalyptic Showtime series. He played Kurdy Malloy, a loyal companion to Perry's Jeremiah, in a world ravaged by a virus that killed most adults. The series ran for two seasons and gained a cult following. The Magic School Bus Warner lent his voice to the animated educational show The Magic School Bus, where he voiced the Producer. The series was a staple for children in the 1990s, known for turning science lessons into exciting adventures. Restaurant In this 1998 indie film, Warner appeared alongside Adrien Brody and Elise Neal. The story followed a group of struggling artists working at a restaurant while chasing their dreams. The film gave Warner a chance to flex his dramatic acting chops. Tyson Warner played Rory Holloway in Tyson, a 1995 biopic about boxing legend Mike Tyson. The film was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and featured Warner in a pivotal supporting role. Suits In the hit legal drama Suits, Warner appeared as Julius Rowe, a recurring character on the show. His role added depth to the series, which focused on a college dropout navigating life at a top law firm. American Crime Story Warner portrayed Al Cowlings in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Cowlings was O.J. Simpson's longtime friend who famously drove the white Ford Bronco during the televised police chase. The FX series received widespread acclaim, and Warner's role was part of a powerful ensemble cast.
The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Malcolm-Jamal Warner dead: 'Cosby Show' actor who played Theo was 54
ABC News reports the actor was formally identified by police. USA TODAY has reached out to Warner's reps. In addition to eight seasons on the hit NBC sitcom as the son of Bill Cosby's Cliff Huxtable and Phylicia Rashad's Clair Huxtable, Warner was also known for his role as Malcolm McGee in the 1990s UPN sitcom "Malcolm & Eddie" and as Dr. AJ Austin on the Fox medical drama "The Resident" from 2018 to 2023. But it is his role as the lovable but at times clueless teen son of the Huxtables that made Warner a household name in the 1980s. Warner also served as the voice of The Producer in the PBS children's series "The Magic School Bus." He directed episodes of "The Cosby Show," "All That," "Kenan & Kel" and "Malcolm & Eddie." The "Reed Between the Lines" actor also dabbled in music and poetry, going on to win a Grammy Award for best traditional R&B performance for the song "Jesus Children" in 2015, and receive a nomination for best spoken word poetry album for "Hiding in Plain View" in 2023. This story is developing.
The Star
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
'The Cosby Show' actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies at 54 after drowning
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor who rose to fame as a teenager playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show in the mid-1980s, died in Costa Rica on Sunday. He was 54. Warner apparently drowned while swimming at a beach on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica near Limón, according to the country's Judicial Investigation Department. The authorities said in a statement that Warner had apparently been swept away by a strong current, and that bystanders had tried to rescue him. The area is popular with surfers. The Cosby Show , which ran on NBC from 1984 to 1992, was a must-see-TV cultural touchstone whose final episode was covered as front-page news in The New York Times . That article began: 'Theo Huxtable graduated from NYU yesterday, albeit on videotape, and like a lot of graduations it was a bittersweet occasion.' Warner, who was 21 at the time, had played the role of the Huxtables' middle child and only son since he was 13. The show's portrayal of an upper-middle-class Black family — Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad played a doctor and a lawyer raising children in a Brooklyn town house — was celebrated as an overdue corrective against harmful stereotypes on television. 'It's sad, in a way,' Warner said when its run ended. 'Our extended family is breaking up. And I can be nostalgic to an extent. But the show for me has always been a steppingstone in my career. It's too early in my career to be nostalgic.' Warner would go on to act in dozens of television shows and films, including The Magic School Bus and nearly 100 episodes of The Resident , a gritty drama about a group of doctors. He co-starred in his own sitcom, Malcolm & Eddie , opposite comedian Eddie Griffin, over four seasons beginning in 1996. In 2011, Warner stepped into the role of a TV dad himself in the short-lived comedy Reed Between The Lines , opposite Tracee Ellis Ross. Several years later, he played A.C. Cowlings, a friend to O.J. Simpson, in an iteration of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story anthology series. Warner also directed television episodes, appeared in plays, wrote poetry and performed music as a bass player. He found success as a spoken-word poet, winning a Grammy Award in 2015 for his contribution to the Robert Glasper Experiment's version of the Stevie Wonder classic Jesus Children Of America , featuring vocals by Lalah Hathaway and a spoken-word tribute by Warner to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. Two years ago, he received a Grammy nomination for best spoken word poetry album for Hiding In Plain View. The actor apparently drowned while swimming at a beach on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica near Limón, according to the country's Judicial Investigation Department. Photo: AP Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born Aug 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was five, according to an interview with Backstage. Warner began acting as an after-school activity, he told Backstage, and a national search for Theo Huxtable provided his breakthrough moment. In his audition, Warner said, he rolled his eyes and played the character with a precocious attitude. Cosby quickly dismissed that approach, asking him to work on the character and return later. 'I thought I had blown it, but I worked on the scene with my acting teacher,' Warner said. 'This time when I auditioned, it was real. Mr. Cosby's philosophy is that all humour is based on truth.' Millions watched his character negotiate the pitfalls of adolescence and the awkward teenage years. On the show Cliff and Clair Huxtable (Cosby and Rashad) also raised four daughters, Sondra, Denise, Vanessa and Rudy. Complete information on Warner's survivors was not immediately available. Last year, Warner started a podcast with Candace Kelley and Weusi Baraka, Not All Hood , about the experiences and identities of Black people in the United States. He told the Today show last year that the podcast was started to create a safe space to share critical points of view. 'This is a place where we want to be able to discuss all lanes of the Black community,' he said. 'This is a place where we can have civil discourse and respectful challenges.' But to many people he would always conjure up memories of the Huxtables. When Cosby was accused of sexual assault and misconduct by more than 50 women, Warner lamented what it meant for the legacy of The Cosby Show and its positive depiction of a Black family. 'That's the thing that saddens me the most,' he told The Associated Press in 2015. 'Because in a few generations the Huxtables will have been just a fairy tale.' On the most recent episode of his podcast Not All Hood , which went up days before his death, Warner spoke about the challenges Black people continue to face in society, and recent efforts to de-emphasise the contributions made by Black soldiers. 'So everything that we have to muster, all of our resources, whether it be spiritual, whether it be relational, whether it be political to whatever extent,' he said, 'everything that we have had to muster just to play on this playing field is what makes us rich as Black people, as Black culture.' – ©2025 The New York Times Company
