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The world is mourning today as news broke that actor, musician and poet Malcolm-Jamal Warner passed away at the age of 54. To celebrate his life and legacy, we put together a gallery highlighting some of his noteworthy roles throughout his career.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born on August 18th, 1970 in New Jersey City, New Jersey. He was raised by his mother, Pamela, who eventually became his manager. At an early age, he was drawn to the performing arts and attended The Professional Children’s School in New York. Being there nurtured his interest in acting and helped him begin his career in television and commercials.
Warner got his big break at the young age of 14 when he was cast as Theo Huxtable on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show. He portrayed the lovable and oftentimes mischievous son of Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby). The role resonated heavily with viewers and skyrocketed him to one of the most recognizable teen actors of the 1980s. During his time on the show, he also began dabbling into directing. Warner made music videos for artists including New Edition, Special Ed, Five Star and more. He also directed episodes of sitcoms including the previously mentioned Cosby Show, All That, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Keenan & Kel and Malcolm & Eddie.
After The Cosby Show, Warner explored a wide range of roles in both comedy and drama, co-starring in Malcolm & Eddie and later appearing in dramas like Jeremiah, American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson, The Resident and more. In addition to acting and directing, Warner also carved out a career in music, particularly in jazz and spoken word. In 2015, he won a Grammy for “Best Traditional R&B Performance” for the song “Jesus Children” with Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Lalah Hathaway.
Throughout his illustrious career, Warner exemplified longevity and versatility. His cultural significance can never be understated. To celebrate the life and legacy of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, check out some of his most noteworthy performances. Let us know which ones are your favorites and if we forgot any. Rest easy MJW!
A Timeless Talent: Celebrating The Life & Legacy Of Malcolm-Jamal Warner With His Most Noteworthy Roles was originally published on globalgrind.com
