After becoming a household name in the 80s, Malcolm-Jamal Warner continued to entertain countless viewers until his final days.
Warner got his big break while playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992. His portrayal of the character earned him an Emmy nomination in 1986.
After the sitcom wrapped after eight seasons, Warner continued to work on various shows and dabbled in directing. Over the years, Warner had memorable roles in multiple projects, including Sons of Anarchy, American Crime Story, Suits and more.
News broke in July 2025 that Warner tragically died after drowning while in Costa Rica. He was 54 years old. Warner is survived by his wife and children, whose identities have not been publicly revealed.
Keep scrolling for a look back on Warner’s most memorable roles:
Theo Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’
Lisa Bonet, Tempestt Bledsoe, Bill Cosby, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner Mario Casilli / TV Guide / ©NBC / courtesy Everett Collection
Warner played the sole son of Cliff Huxtable in the beloved sitcom. He remained in the series’ main cast for all eight seasons.
Andre Bennett on ‘Community’
Yvette Nicole Brown, Malcolm-Jamal Warner Jordin Althaus/©NBC/courtesy Everett Collection
The actor had a memorable guest role on the comedy as the ex-husband of Yvette Nicole Brown’s character, Shirley Bennett. In the four-episode arc, Warner paid homage to his The Cosby Show roots by wearing a Cosby-esque sweater.
Alex Reed on ‘Reed Between the Lines’
He starred in the BET series alongside Tracee Ellis Ross. The pair played a married couple who have a blended family. Warner received a nomination for Outstanding Actor in a comedy series at the NAACP Image Awards for the role.
Sticky on ‘Sons of Anarchy’
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Byron Cohen/FX, Courtesy of Everett Collection
Warner joined the drama’s cast in its final season portraying Sticky, the VP of motorcycle club The Grim Bastards.
Al Cowlings on ‘American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson’
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Ray Mickshaw / ©FX / Courtesy: Everett Collection
In the anthology series’ first season, based on the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, Warner played Cowlings, who was infamously involved in Simpson’s Ford Bronco police chase.
Julius Rowe on ‘Suits’
Patrick J. Adams, Malcolm-Jamal Warner Ian Watson/©USA Network/courtesy Everett Collection
Warner made a guest appearance in season 6 of the legal series as a prison psychologist who helps Mike (Patrick J. Adams) while behind bars.
Dr. AJ on ‘The Resident’
Malcom-Jamal Warner Guy D’Alema/FOX, Courtesy of Everett Collection
The Resident fans were introduced to Warner’s character AJ — aka “The Raptor — during the first season. AJ is a cardiothoracic and trauma surgeon who joins the hospital. After appearing on the series in a guest capacity in 2018, Warner became a member of the main cast the following season and remained on the medical drama until it was unexpectedly canceled after six seasons.
