Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Malcolm-Jamal Warner | |
|---|---|
 Warner in 2007 | |
| Born | August 18, 1970 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer, writer |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Partner(s) |
|
| Children | 1 |
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (born August 18, 1970)[2] is an American actor, director, producer, musician, and writer. He is best known for his roles as Theodore Huxtable on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show and as Malcolm McGee on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie. He also starred as Dr. Alex Reed in the sitcom Reed Between the Lines. He currently stars as Dr. AJ Austin on the FOX medical drama The Resident. He also became the producer for the PBS Kids series The Magic School Bus, produced by Nelvana, Scholastic, and South Carolina Educational Television.
Early life[]
Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was raised by his divorced mother, Pamela, who served as his manager.[2] He was named for Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. At the age of nine, he demonstrated an interest in show business which led to enrollment in acting schools. His career as a child performer later led him to graduate high school from The Professional Children's School in New York City, New York.
Career[]
With appearances and roles on many television shows and films, he landed his most successful role as Theo Huxtable, the only son of Heathcliff Huxtable, who was played by Bill Cosby on the NBC sitcom, The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992. Warner auditioned for the role on the final day of the nationwide search and was chosen by Cosby himself.
During his tenure on The Cosby Show Warner turned his hand to directing, making music videos including New Edition's "N.E. Heart Break" (1989), rapper Special Ed's "I'm the Magnificent" (1989),[3] British R&B group Five Star's "I Love You For Sentimental Reasons" (1994).[4] He has directed many sitcom episodes including The Cosby Show, All That, Kenan & Kel, and Malcolm & Eddie. In addition, Warner directed the acclaimed, teen-oriented public health video Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You (1992), which featured Arsenio Hall and Earvin "Magic" Johnson discussing the realities of HIV and AIDS and the best ways to prevent its spread.
He went on to star in Jeremiah, was the voice of The Producer character on The Magic School Bus and co-starred with comedian Eddie Griffin for four years on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie. Warner continued his career on the CBS sitcom Listen Up! with Jason Alexander and was the host of the literacy-promoting children's show CBS Storybreak. He guest-starred on an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air playing the role of Hilary's boyfriend. In 1995, Warner appeared as a homeless man on Touched by an Angel.
In 2003, Warner released his debut EP, The Miles Long Mixtape. In 2007, Warner followed up with his second CD entitled Love & Other Social Issues. In 2009 he guest starred in an episode in the new TNT series HawthoRNe. In 2011, he guest starred in an episode of the NBC series Community as Andre, the ex-husband of Shirley Bennett (Yvette Nicole Brown). His character subtly referenced his Cosby Show past by wearing a "Cosby sweater" that he stated was from his dad.[5]
He is a bass guitar player[6] and a performance poet, and has performed at the National Black Theatre Festival since 2003, in addition to hosting its Poetry Jam.[7][8]
Warner's co-starred in BET's scripted comedic television series Reed Between the Lines. He played the role of Alex Reed, an English professor married to Carla Reed, a psychologist played by former Girlfriends star Tracee Ellis Ross.[9] The couple had three children: Kaci and Kenan Reynolds, Carla's children from a previous relationship, and Alexis Reed, their child together.[10] The show highlighted the couple's ups and downs together as a blended family. In 2012 Warner was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a comedy series at the NAACP Image awards for his role in Reed Between the Lines.[11] In the spring of 2015, it was announced that Warner would be playing the part of Al Cowlings in the crime series American Crime Story, based on the events of the O.J. Simpson trial.[12]
Warner portrays recurring characters on multiple current TV series. He played prison counselor Julius Rowe on the sixth season of USA network's Suits.[13] On the TNT series Major Crimes he portrays Lt. Chuck Cooper, a member of the LAPD's Special Investigation's Section (SIS) and the love interest of the Major Crime Division's Detective Amy Sykes. He also plays the role of parole officer James Bagwell on Amazon Prime's show Sneaky Pete.
Personal life[]
Warner had a relationship with actress Michelle Thomas, who portrayed his girlfriend Justine Phillips on The Cosby Show, until 1994 and was at her bedside when she died in 1998.[1] He was in a relationship with actress Karen Malina White for seven and a half years.[14] Warner also dated actress Regina King from 2011 until March 2013.[15] He is married with a daughter, and has not disclosed his wife or their child's name publicly citing privacy concerns.[16]
Filmography[]
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Show Off! How to Be Cool at Parties | Himself | |
| 1990 | The Real Story of Itsy Bitsy Spider | Spinner | |
| 1990 | The Earth Day Special | Theo Huxtable | |
| 1994 | Drop Zone | Deputy U.S. Marshal Terry Nessip | |
| 1995 | The Tuskegee Airmen | Lieutenant Leroy Cappy | |
| 1998 | A Fare to Remember | Winter Valen | |
| 1998 | Restaurant | Steven | |
| 2001 | 15 Minutes | unconfirmed | |
| 2004 | Reflections: A Story of Redemption | Samuel | Short |
| 2006 | The List | Randy | |
| 2008 | Fool's Gold | Cordell | |
| 2009 | Contradictions of a Heart | Miles Long Band | |
| 2011 | King of the Underground | Malcolm | |
| 2014 | Muted | Curtis Gladwell | Short |
| 2016 | Wannabe | Luther | Short |
| 2017 | Shot | EMT Jones |
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Matt Houston | Johnny Randolph | Episode: "Stop the Presses" |
| 1983 | Fame | Lucas Boyd | Episode: "Ending on a High Note" |
| 1984 | Call to Glory | Episode: "A Nation Divided" | |
| 1984–1992 | The Cosby Show | Theodore "Theo" Huxtable | Series Regular |
| 1985 | CBS Storybreak | Host | |
| 1986 | ABC Afterschool Special | Charlie Curtis | Episode: "A Desperate Exit" |
| 1986 | Saturday Night Live | Himself | Host Episode: "Malcolm-Jamal Warner/Run-DMC" |
| 1987 | Home Alone: A Kid's Guide to Playing it Safe When On Your Own | Himself | Host Direct-to-video special |
| 1987 | The Father Clements Story | Joey | Television film |
| 1988–1989 | A Different World | Theo Huxtable | 2 episodes |
| 1989 | Mother's Day | Cullen Sturgis | Television film |
| 1989 | Tour of Duty | SPC Sweet | Episode: "The Volunteer" |
| 1990 | Saturday Morning Videos | Himself | Host |
| 1991 | Spider Junior High[17] | Spinner (voice) | HBO's TV Cartoon Special |
| 1990-1991 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Himself, Eric | Episode: "Someday Your Prince Will Be In Effect Part 2 #Season 2 (1991–1992)|Cased Up" |
| 1992–1993 | Here and Now | Alexander "A.J." James | 13 episodes |
| 1994–1997 | The Magic School Bus | The Producer | Voice |
| 1995 | Touched by an Angel | Zack | Episode: "There But for the Grace of God" |
| 1995 | Tyson | Rory Holloway | Television film |
| 1995 | The Tuskegee Airmen | Leroy Cappy | Television film |
| 1996–2000 | Malcolm & Eddie | Malcolm McGee | Series Regular |
| 1997 | Moloney | Episode: "The Ripple Effect" | |
| 1999 | Sliders | R.J. | Episode: "My Brother's Keeper" |
| 2001 | Legend of the Candy Cane | Rusty | Voice Television film |
| 2002 | Static Shock | Lester Biggs | Voice Episode: "Duped" |
| 2002 | Lyric Cafe | Himself | Host |
| 2002–2004 | Jeremiah | Kurdy Malloy | Series Regular |
| 2004 | Stripperella | Episode: "The Bridesmaid" | |
| 2004–2005 | Listen Up! | Bernie Widmer | Series Regular |
| 2006 | Dexter | Rita's Lawyer | Episode: "Seeing Red" |
| 2008 | The Cleaner | Jason Anders | Episode: "Lie with Me" |
| 2009 | HawthoRNe | Fred | Episode: "Healing Time" |
| 2009 | Sherri | Kevin | Series Regular |
| 2010 | True Blue | Walker MacRae | Television Film |
| 2010 | Special Agent Oso | Braden's Dad | Episode: "The Living Holiday Lights" |
| 2011–12 | Community | Andre Bennett | 4 episodes |
| 2011, 2015 | Reed Between the Lines | Dr. Alex Reed | Series Regular |
| 2013 | Key & Peele | Arthur Washington | Episode: "Episode 21" |
| 2014 | The Michael J. Fox Show | Russel | Episode: "Party" |
| 2013–2016 | Major Crimes | Lt. Chuck Cooper | Recurring role |
| 2014 | Sons of Anarchy | Sticky | 3 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | American Horror Story: Freak Show | Angus T. Jefferson | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Megachurch Murder | Rev. Hamilton Spears | Television film |
| 2015 | 48 Hrs Til Monday | Television film | |
| 2016 | American Crime Story | Al "A.C." Cowlings | 4 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Suits | Julius Rowe | Recurring role |
| 2017 | Lethal Weapon | David Reed | Episode: "Lawmen" |
| 2017 | Detroiters | Sebastian | Episode: "Hog Riders" |
| 2017–2019 | Sneaky Pete | James Bagwell | 6 episodes |
| 2017 | Ten Days in the Valley | Matt | Series regular |
| 2017 | White Famous | Nelson Youngblood | Episode: "Scandal" |
| 2018–present | The Resident | Dr. AJ Austin | Recurring season 1 Main seasons 2- |
Discography[]
- The Miles Long Mixtape (2003)
- (2007)
- Selfless (2015)
Awards and nominations[]
- 2015: Won, "Best Traditional R&B Performance" - "Jesus Children of America" (with Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Lalah Hathaway)
MD Theatre Guide Readers' Choice Awards
- 2013: Winner 1st Place, "Best Performance by Lead Actor in a Play" -Doctor John Prentice in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner at Arena Stage
BET Comedy Awards
- 2005: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" — Listen Up
- 1986: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" — The Cosby Show
Image Awards
- 1996: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" — Touched by an Angel
- 2001: Nominated, "Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series" — Malcolm & Eddie
- 2012: Won, "Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series" - Reed Between the Lines
TV Land Awards
- 2006: Nominated, "Favorite Singing Siblings" — The Cosby Show (shared w/co-stars)
- 1985: Won, Best Young Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy Series - The Cosby Show
- 1988: Nominated, Best Young Male Superstar in Television - The Cosby Show
- 1989: Won, Best Young Actor/Actress Ensemble in a Television Comedy, Drama Series or Special - The Cosby Show (shared w/co-stars)
- 1990: Won, "Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Television Series" — The Cosby Show
Books[]
- Theo and Me: Growing up Okay (1988) - ISBN 0-525-24694-0 (with Daniel Paisner)
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Dougherty, Steve (1999-01-11). "Forever Young". People. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Malcolm-Jamal Warner Biography (1970-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- ^ "Special ed – Youngest in Charge the Videos". 8 May 2012.
- ^ "Music Video: Artists & Music". Billboard (2 April 1994). Retrieved 19 July 2019.
- ^ Gonzalez, Sandra (2011-01-21). "'Community': Did you think Malcolm Jamal Warner was the best pick to play Shirley's ex?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
- ^ "Jazz Monthly.com Interview with malcolm jamal warner". Jazzmonthly.com. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- ^ Burger, Mark (2003-07-27). "NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS YEAR, BIGGER THAN EVER, FEATURING NEW WORKS, SOME OLD FAVORITES AND PLENTY OF ENTERTAINMENT". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
- ^ "National Black Theatre Festival Poetry Page". Nbtf.org. Archived from the original on 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
- ^ [1] Archived October 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ willied4 (11 October 2011). "Reed Between the Lines (TV Series 2011– )". IMDb. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- ^ "BET Receives 15 NAACP Image Awards Nominations". BET.com. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- ^ "American Crime Story: FX Drama Casts Malcolm-Jamal Warner as O.J.'s Pal". 14 May 2015.
- ^ "'Suits': Erik Palladino, Paul Schulze & Malcolm-Jamal Warner Join USA Network Drama Series". 14 April 2016.
- ^ Jackson, Charreah (2009-04-10). "Flashback Fridays: Malcolm-Jamal Warner". Essence. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
- ^ Malcolm Jamal Warner, Regina King Calls It Quits After Two Year Relationship (UPDATE)
- ^ Malcolm-Jamal Warner Talks Fatherhood, Marriage & Bill Cosby on the Wendy Williams Show
- ^ Spider Junior High (1991) at TCM Database
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Malcolm-Jamal Warner. |
- Malcolm-Jamal Warner at IMDb
- Malcolm-Jamal Warner Official Website
- Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Twitter Official Twitter
- Malcolm-Jamal Warner at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
| show Authority control  |
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- 1970 births
- Living people
- American male child actors
- African-American male actors
- African-American television directors
- American television directors
- American male film actors
- Male actors from Jersey City, New Jersey
- American male television actors
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- Grammy Award winners
- CBS Storybreak
- African-American male child actors