BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
| Malcolm-Jamal Warner | |
|---|---|
Warner in 2013.
| |
| Born | August 18, 1970 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, director, musician |
| Years active | 1982–present |
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (born August 18, 1970)[1] is an American actor, director, and musician. He is best known for his roles asTheo Huxtable on the long-running 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.
Early life
Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was raised by his divorced mother, Pamela, who served as his manager.[1] He was named after 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 active career as a child 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 very last day of the nationwide search and was chosen by Cosby himself.
He also starred 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 sitcomMalcolm & Eddie. Warner continued his career on the CBS sitcom Listen Up! with Jason Alexander and 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, and has directed several music videos including British R&B group Five Star's "I Love You For Sentimental Reasons" (1994) as well as many sitcom episodes including The Cosby Show, All that, Kenan & Kel, and Malcolm & Eddie. Also In 1988 Warner was In New Edition's 1988 Music Video N.E Heartbreak.
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.
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 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.[2]
He is a bass guitar player[3] and a performance poet, and has performed at the National Black Theatre Festival since 2003, in addition to hosting its Poetry Jam.[4][5]
Warner's most recent television role is on Black Entertainment Television's new scripted comedic television series Reed Between the Lines as Alex Reed. In this series, which first aired in 2011 Warner plays the role of an English professor married to Carla Reed, a psychologist played by former Girlfriends star Tracee Ellis Ross.[6] The couple have three children together: Kaci and Kenan Renolds, who are Carla's children from a previous relationship, and Alexis Reed, who is their child together.[7] The show highlights 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.[8]
Personal life
Warner had a relationship with actress Michelle Thomas, who portrayed his girlfriend on The Cosby Show, and was at her bedside when she died in 1998.[9] He was in a relationship with actress Karen Malina White for seven and a half years.[10]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The Father Clements Story | Joey | Television film |
| 1989 | Mother's Day | Cullen Sturgis | Television film |
| 1990 | The Real Story of Itsy Bitsy Spider | Spinner | |
| 1990 | The Earth Day Special | Theo Huxtable | |
| 1994 | Drop Zone | Terry Nessip | |
| 1995 | Tyson | Rory Holloway | Television film |
| 1995 | The Tuskegee Airmen | Leroy Cappy | Television film |
| 1998 | A Fare to Remember | Winter Valen | |
| 2001 | Legend of the Candy Cane | Rusty | Voice Television film |
| 2004 | Reflections: A Story of Redemption | Samuel | |
| 2006 | The List | Randy | |
| 2006 | Contradictions of the Heart | Miles Long Band | |
| 2008 | Fool's Gold | Cordell | |
| 2011 | Reed Between the Lines | Dr. Alex Reed |
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 | |
| 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 |
| 1988–1989 | A Different World | Theo Huxtable | 2 episodes |
| 1989 | Tour of Duty | SPC Sweet | Episode: "The Volunteer" |
| 1990 | Saturday Morning Videos | Himself | Host |
| 1991 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Eric | Episode: "Cased Up" |
| 1992–1993 | Here and Now | Alexander "A.J." James | |
| 1994–1997 | The Magic School Bus | The Producer | Voice |
| 1995 | Touched by an Angel | Zack | Episode: "There But For the Grace of God" |
| 1996–2000 | Malcolm & Eddie | Malcolm McGee | |
| 1997 | Moloney | Episode: "The Ripple Effect" | |
| 1998 | Restaurant | Steven | |
| 1999 | Sliders | R.J. | Episode: "My Brother's Keeper" |
| 2002 | Static Shock | Lester Biggs | Voice Episode: "Duped" |
| 2002 | Lyric Cafe | Himself | Host |
| 2002–2004 | Jeremiah | Kurdy Malloy | |
| 2004 | Stripperella | Episode: "The Bridesmaid" | |
| 2004–2005 | Listen Up! | Bernie Widmer | |
| 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 | |
| 2010 | True Blue | Walker MacRae | |
| 2010 | Special Agent Oso | Braden's Dad | Episode: "The Living Holiday Lights" |
| 2011–present | Community | Andre Bennett | |
| 2013 | Key & Peele | Black Republican | Episode: "Episode 21" |
| 2014 | The Michael J. Fox Show | Russel | Episode: "Party" |
| 2014 | Major Crimes | Lt. Chuck Cooper | Episode: "Year-End Blowout" |
| 2014 | Sons of Anarchy | Sticky | |
| 2014 | American Horror Story: Freak Show | Angus T. Jefferson | 2 episodes |
Discography
- The Miles Long Mixtape (2003)
- Love & Other Social Issues (2007)
Awards and nominations
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
Books
- Theo and Me: Growing up Okay (1988) - ISBN 0-525-24694-0 (with Daniel Paisner)
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