Malcolm-Jamal Warner
{{Short description|American actor (born 1970)}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Malcolm-Jamal Warner
| image = Malcolm-Jamal Warner.jpg
| caption = Warner in 2007
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1970|8|18}}
| birth_place = Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1982–present
| known_for =
| partner = {{ubl|Michelle Thomas (1988–1994)|Karen Malina White (1997–2005)|Regina King (2011–2013)}}
| spouse =
| children = 1
}}
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (born August 18, 1970){{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/3/Malcolm-Jamal-Warner.html|title=Malcolm-Jamal Warner Biography (1970-)|publisher=Filmreference.com|access-date=September 25, 2015}} is an American actor. He rose to prominence for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992), which earned him a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards. He is also known for his roles as Malcolm McGee on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), and Dr. Alex Reed in the sitcom Reed Between the Lines (2011, 2015), Warner also portrayed the character Sticky the VP of motorcycle club The Grim Bastards on FX show Sons of Anarchy (2014).
Warner also became an executive producer for the PBS Kids series The Magic School Bus, which is also produced by Nelvana, Scholastic, and South Carolina Educational Television. In 2015, he received a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song "Jesus Children" alongside Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway. He later appeared as Al Cowlings on the FX limited series The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Warner formerly played Dr. AJ Austin on the FOX medical drama The Resident (2018-2023).
Early life
Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was raised by his mother, Pamela, who served as his manager. He was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. At the age of nine, he demonstrated an interest in show business that 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),{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopwired.com/154838/special-ed-youngest-in-charge-the-videos/4/|title=Special ed – Youngest in Charge the Videos|date=May 8, 2012}} and British R&B group Five Star's "I Love You For Sentimental Reasons" (1994).[https://books.google.com/books?id=OQgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=i+love+you+for+sentimental+reasons+malcolm+jamal+warner&pg=PA38 "Music Video: Artists & Music"]. Billboard (April 2, 1994). Retrieved July 19, 2019. He has directed episodes of many sitcoms, 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. He also starred in the film Drop Zone (1994), and the HBO film The Tuskegee Airmen (1995).
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 and 2012, he guest starred in four episodes 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.{{cite magazine |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/01/21/community-recap-malcolm-jamal-warner/ |title='Community': Did you think Malcolm Jamal Warner was the best pick to play Shirley's ex? |access-date=January 26, 2011 |date=January 21, 2011 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}
He is a bass guitar player{{cite web |url=http://www.jazzmonthly.com/artist_qz/warner_j_malcolm/interviews/warner_j_malcolm_02.html |title=Jazz Monthly.com Interview with malcolm jamal warner |publisher=Jazzmonthly.com |access-date=September 25, 2015}} and a performance poet, and has performed at the National Black Theatre Festival since 2003, in addition to hosting its Poetry Jam.{{cite web |last=Burger |first=Mark |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/journalnow/access/488314431.html?dids=488314431:488314431|title=National Black Theatre Festival Returns This Year, Bigger Than Ever, Featuring New Works, Some Old Favorites And Plenty Of Entertainment |access-date=January 26, 2011 |date=July 27, 2003 |work=Winston-Salem Journal}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nbtf.org/poetry.html|title=National Black Theatre Festival Poetry Page|publisher=Nbtf.org|access-date=January 26, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023102858/http://nbtf.org/poetry.html|archive-date=October 23, 2007}}
Warner has 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.bet.com/article/bzy554/bet-expands-scripted-programming | title=BET Expands Original Programming | website=BET }} The couple had three children: Kaci and Kenan Reynolds, Carla's children from a previous relationship, and Alexis Reed, their child together.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1699763/|title=Reed Between the Lines (TV Series 2011– )|author=willied4|work=IMDb|date=October 11, 2011|access-date=September 25, 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.bet.com/news/national/2012/02/17/bet-receives-15-naacp-image-awards-nominations.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308034820/http://www.bet.com/news/national/2012/02/17/bet-receives-15-naacp-image-awards-nominations.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2012|title=BET Receives 15 NAACP Image Awards Nominations|date=February 17, 2012|work=BET.com|access-date=September 25, 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2015/05/13/american-crime-story-malcolm-jamal-warner-al-cowlings/ |title=American Crime Story: FX Drama Casts Malcolm-Jamal Warner as O.J.'s Pal |date=May 14, 2015}}
Warner played prison counselor Julius Rowe on the sixth season of USA network's Suits.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/suits-cast-erik-palladino-paul-schulze-malcolm-jamal-warner-usa-drama-series-1201737892/ |title='Suits': Erik Palladino, Paul Schulze & Malcolm-Jamal Warner Join USA Network Drama Series |date=April 14, 2016}} 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 played the role of parole officer James Bagwell on Amazon Prime's show Sneaky Pete and as Dr. AJ "The Raptor" Austin on FOX's The Resident.
Personal life
Warner had a relationship with actress Michelle Thomas, who portrayed his girlfriend Justine Phillips on The Cosby Show, until 1994. He was at her bedside when she died in 1998.{{cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Steve |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20127316,00.html |title=Forever Young |access-date=January 12, 2011 |date=January 11, 1999 |work=People}} He was in a relationship with actress Karen Malina White for seven and a half years.{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Charreah |url=http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/entertainment/articles/flashback_fridays_malcolm_jamal_warner/ |title=Flashback Fridays: Malcolm-Jamal Warner |access-date=January 12, 2011 |date=April 10, 2009 |work=Essence |archive-date=April 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413132548/http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/entertainment/articles/flashback_fridays_malcolm_jamal_warner}} Warner also dated actress Regina King from 2011 until March 2013.{{cite web | title=Break Up To Make Up? | website=HuffPost | date=2013-03-21 | url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/malcolm-jamal-warner-regina-king-calls-it-quits_n_2928006 | access-date=2024-10-25}}
He is married with a daughter. He has not disclosed his wife's or their child's names publicly, citing privacy concerns.[https://web.archive.org/web/20181209093720/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFpdFsLc8sQ&gl=US&hl=en Malcolm-Jamal Warner Talks Fatherhood, Marriage & Bill Cosby on the Wendy Williams Show]
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| 1986
| Show Off! How to Be Cool at Parties | Himself | |
| rowspan="2"|1990
| The Real Story of Itsy Bitsy Spider | Spinner | |
| The Earth Day Special
| |
| 1994
| Deputy U.S. Marshal Terry Nessip | |
| 1995
| Lieutenant Leroy Cappy | |
| rowspan="2"|1998
| A Fare to Remember | Winter Valen | |
| Restaurant
| Steven | |
| 2001
| 15 Minutes | | unconfirmed |
| 2006
| The List | Randy | |
| 2008
| Fool's Gold | Cordell |
| 2009
| Contradictions of a Heart | Miles Long Band | |
| 2011
| King of the Underground | Malcolm | |
| 2017
| Shot | EMT Jones | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| 1982
| Johnny Randolph | Episode: "Stop the Presses" |
| 1983
| Fame | Lucas Boyd | Episode: "Ending on a High Note" |
| 1984
| | Episode: "A Nation Divided" |
| 1984–1992
| {{sortname|The|Cosby Show}} | Main cast |
| rowspan="2"|1986
| Charlie Curtis | Episode: "A Desperate Exit" |
| Saturday Night Live
| Himself | Host; episode: "Malcolm-Jamal Warner/Run-DMC" |
| 1986–1994
| Himself | Celebrity guest and director |
| rowspan="2"|1987
| Home Alone: A Kid's Guide to Playing it Safe When On Your Own | Himself | Host |
| {{sortname|The|Father Clements Story}}
| Joey | Television film |
| 1988–1989
| {{Sortname|A|Different World}} | Theo Huxtable | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|1989
| Mother's Day | Cullen Sturgis | Television film |
| Tour of Duty
| SPC Sweet | Episode: "The Volunteer" |
| 1990
| Himself | Host |
| 1990–1991
| {{sortname|The|Fresh Prince of Bel-Air}} | Himself, Eric | 2 episodes |
| 1991
| Spinner | Voice, television special |
| 1992–1993
| Alexander "A.J." James | Main cast |
| 1993–1994
| Host | |
| 1994–1997
| {{sortname|The|Magic School Bus|dab=TV series}} | The Producer | Voice |
| rowspan="3"|1995
| Zack | Episode: "There But for the Grace of God" |
| Tyson
| Rory Holloway | Television film |
| {{sortname|The|Tuskegee Airmen}}
| Leroy Cappy | Television film |
| 1996–2000
| Malcolm McGee | Main cast |
| 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 |
| rowspan="2"|2002
| Lester Biggs | Voice, episode: "Duped" |
| Lyric Cafe
| Himself | Host |
| 2002–2004
| Jeremiah | Kurdy Malloy | Main cast |
| 2004
| | Episode: "The Bridesmaid" |
| 2004–2005
| Bernie Widmer | Main cast |
| 2006
| Dexter | Rita's Lawyer | Episode: "Seeing Red" |
| 2008
| {{sortname|The|Cleaner|dab=American TV series}} | Jason Anders | Episode: "Lie with Me" |
| rowspan="2"|2009
| Fred | Episode: "Healing Time" |
| Sherri
| Kevin | Main cast |
| rowspan="2"|2010
| True Blue | Walker MacRae | Television film |
| Special Agent Oso
| Braden's Dad | Voice, episode: "The Living Holiday Lights" |
| 2011–2012
| Andre Bennett | 4 episodes |
| 2011, 2015
| Dr. Alex Reed | Main cast |
| 2013
| Arthur Washington | Episode: "Episode 21" |
| 2013–2016
| Lt. Chuck Cooper | Recurring role |
| rowspan="2"|2014
| Russel | Episode: "Party" |
| Sons of Anarchy
| Sticky | 3 episodes |
| 2014–2015
| American Horror Story: Freak Show | Angus T. Jefferson | 3 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2015
| Rev. Hamilton Spears | Television film |
| 48 Hrs Til Monday
| | Television film |
| 2016
| 4 episodes |
| 2016–2017
| Suits | Julius Rowe | Recurring role |
| rowspan="4"|2017
| David Reed | Episode: "Lawmen" |
| Detroiters
| Sebastian | Episode: "Hog Riders" |
| Ten Days in the Valley
| Matt | Main cast |
| White Famous
| Nelson Youngblood | Episode: "Scandal" |
| rowspan="2"|2017–2019
| Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce | Darrell | Guest star |
| Sneaky Pete
| James Bagwell | 6 episodes |
| 2018–2023
| Dr. AJ Austin | Director: 1 episode |
| rowspan="4"|2023
| Accused | Kendall Gomillion | Episode: "Kendall's Story" |
| The Wonder Years
| Melvin Williams | Episode: "Happy Birthday, Clisby" |
| The Irrational
| Dustin Atwood | Episode: "Point and Shoot" |
| Grown-ish
| Doug's Father | Episode: "Hard Times" |
| 2024
| 9-1-1 | Amir Casey | 4 episodes |
Discography
- The Miles Long Mixtape (2003)
- Love & Other Social Issues (2007)
- Selfless (2015)
- Hiding In Plain View (2022)
Awards and nominations
- 2015: Won, "Best Traditional R&B Performance" – "Jesus Children" (with Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Lalah Hathaway)
- 2022: Nominated, "Best Spoken Word Poetry Album" - Hiding In Plain View
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
- 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
- 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
Book
- Theo and Me: Growing up Okay (1988) - {{ISBN|0-525-24694-0}} (with Daniel Paisner)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|0912528}}
- [http://malcolmjamalwarner.com/ Malcolm-Jamal Warner] Official Website
- [https://twitter.com/malcolmjamalwar Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Twitter] Official Twitter
- {{emmytvlegends name|malcolm-jamal-warner}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Warner, Malcolm-Jamal}}
Category:American male child actors
Category:African-American television directors
Category:American television directors
Category:American male film actors
Category:Male actors from Jersey City, New Jersey
Category:American male television actors
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:African-American male child actors