Malcolm-Jamal Warner (August 18, 1970 – July 20, 2025) was an American actor, musician, and poet. He became well known for playing Theodore Huxtable on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992), a role that earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards. He was also recognized for his roles as Malcolm McGee on Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), Dr. Alex Reed on Reed Between the Lines (2011, 2015), Julius Rowe on Suits (2016–2017), and Dr. AJ Austin on The Resident (2018–2023).
In 2015, Warner won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song “Jesus Children” with Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway.
On July 20, 2025, Warner drowned in the ocean off Limón Province, Costa Rica, after being caught in a strong current.
Profile Summary
| Date of Birth | August 18, 1970 |
| Place of Birth | Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Date of Death | July 20, 2025 (aged 54) |
| Place of Death | Playa Cocles, Limón Province, Costa Rica |
| Occupations | Actor; Musician; Poet |
| Spouse | Tenisha Hancock (m. 2017) |
Age
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Biography
Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 18, 1970, and named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He moved to Los Angeles at age five. By age nine, his interest in show business led him to attend acting schools. He later graduated from The Professional Children’s School in New York City.
Personal life
Warner had several high-profile relationships. He dated actress Michelle Thomas, who played his on-screen girlfriend Justine Phillips on The Cosby Show, until 1994, and they remained friends until her death in 1998. He later dated actress Karen Malina White for seven and a half years, and actress Regina King from 2011 to 2013. In 2017, he married Tenisha Hancock, and they had a daughter who was eight years old at the time of his death. The identities of his wife and daughter were first made public after his death.
Death
On July 20, 2025, Warner died at age 54 while learning to surf with a group at Playa Cocles in Limón Province, Costa Rica. Mike Geist, vice president of Caribbean Guard, a volunteer lifeguard group, said, “After the surf lesson, I think Warner and several others in the group stayed on the beach for a while and then decided to get back in the water.” Strong ocean currents, common in the area, put three people in the group in distress, “including a woman and a young girl.” Beachgoers assisted the three to shore. When Warner was found missing, an unnamed boogie boarder and a doctor entered the water to search for him. After about five minutes, the doctor found Warner unconscious and underwater.
The Costa Rican Red Cross reported that emergency responders were dispatched around 2:10 p.m. after receiving reports of a water-related incident involving two adult men. Warner received CPR for approximately 45 minutes before being pronounced dead at the scene. Another man was taken to a nearby clinic in critical condition. The Red Cross stated that both men had been removed from the water before paramedics arrived, and the case was referred to local police.
On July 21, 2025, the Judicial Investigation Agency confirmed that Warner had been caught in a strong current. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the official cause of death, accidental asphyxia by submersion (drowning), was confirmed after his autopsy was completed on July 22.
According to a CNN report on July 21, 2026, Warner’s widow, Tenisha Warner, is suing his mother, who oversees a trust. The widow claims she is owed more than $1.2 million. Tenisha and Malcolm married in 2022 and have a daughter together. There is a prenuptial agreement.
Career
After appearing on television shows such as Matt Houston, Fame, and Call to Glory, Warner secured his most prominent role as Theo Huxtable, the only son of Heathcliff Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby, on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). Warner auditioned on the final day of the nationwide search. In 1986, he was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Warner guest starred in a 1991 episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Hilary Banks’ boyfriend. He starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom Here and Now (1992–1993). Warner also hosted the children’s show CBS Storybreak in 1993 and 1994, which promoted literacy. In 1995, he played a homeless man on Touched by an Angel. He also played U.S. Marshal Terry Nessip in the film Drop Zone with Wesley Snipes (1994), Rory Holloway in the HBO film Tyson, and Leroy Cappy in the HBO film The Tuskegee Airmen (both 1995).
Warner voiced The Producer on The Magic School Bus (1994–1997). From 1996 to 2000, he co-starred with comedian Eddie Griffin on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie. He later played Kurdy Malloy in Jeremiah (2002–2004) and appeared in the CBS sitcom Listen Up with Jason Alexander (2004–2005).
More…
He portrayed Cordell in the romantic comedy Fool’s Gold, starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson in 2008. In 2009, he guest starred in an episode of the TNT series HawthoRNe. In 2011 and 2012, he appeared 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 said was from his dad.
Warner co-starred in BET’s 2011 comedy series Reed Between the Lines as Alex Reed, an English professor married to Carla Reed, a psychologist played by Tracee Ellis Ross. The couple had three children: Kaci and Kenan Reynolds, Carla’s children from a previous relationship, and Alexis Reed, their child together. The show explored the dynamics of their blended family. In 2012, Warner was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series at the NAACP Image Awards for this role.
Discography
- The Miles Long Mixtape (2003)
- Love & Other Social Issues (2007)
- Selfless (2015)
- Hiding in Plain View (2022)
Net Worth
Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s estimated net worth was $6 million at the time of his death.
