(July 21, 2025) This is just devastating news to share, as actor and musician Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo in The Cosby Show, has died at age 54. It is being reported that Warner died of an accidental drowning while on vacation in Costa Rica.
Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, and aptly named after Malcolm X and pianist Ahmad Jamal, Warner entered our lives at an early age, showcasing his acting and comedic chops as Theo Huxtable on the iconic TV series The Cosby Show (1984–1992). He won the hearts of millions and even garnered an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor.
Post-Cosby, Warner leaned into directing, taking the helm on youth‑driven series like Kenan & Kel, Malcolm & Eddie (on which he also starred), and even music videos in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
I was blessed to meet Warner in the early days of SoulTracks, as he was dedicating his career to music, principally as a bass guitarist. Leading the jazz/funk band Miles Long, Warner debuted with The Miles Long Mixtape (2003), followed by Love & Other Social Issues in 2007. Miles Long’s sound—deep in bass grooves and poetic narrative—blurred genre lines between jazz, funk, hip‑hop, and spoken word. Warner said, “Because I’m not looking toward this to make me rich and famous, I have the luxury to truly approach music as an artist.”
2015 marked a musical milestone when Warner won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance with “Jesus Children,” collaborating with Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway. He was nominated for another Grammy eight years later.
For those of us of a certain age, Malcolm-Jamal Warner will forever hold a place in our memories for his pivotal role in a coming-of-age comedy. But for those of us in the music world, his artistry will also resonate for his second act as a musician whose talent and personality continued to shine for decades after his television fame ended. May he rest in peace.
By Chris Rizik
