Theo Huxtable

Background:

Caught by the acting bug at age 9, Malcolm-Jamal Warner garnered international recognition while portraying Bill Cosby's television son, Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable, on the hit NBC sitcom “The Cosby Show” (1984-1992). Afterwards, he went on to star in the UPN sitcom "Malcolm and Eddie" (1996-2000; as the responsible and sensible twenty-something Malcolm McGee), Showtime post-apocalyptic series "Jeremiah" (2002-2004; as Luke Perry's Jeremiah's partner Kurdy), and short-lived CBS sitcom "Listen Up" (2004-2005; as Bernie Widmer).

Meanwhile, moviegoers could catch him in the films "Drop Zone" (1994; starring Wesley Snipes) and "Restaurant" (1998; with Adrien Brody and Elise Neal), as well as the upcoming "Fool's Gold" (2008; alongside Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson), in which he will play a gangsta rapper's Rastafarian henchman named Cordell.

On stage, Warner made his off-Broadway debut in "Three Ways Home" in 1988. He also appeared in the plays "Babes," portraying Lolo Lamont Leonard Lawrence Liston Jr., and "Alice is That You?," taking the role of the Tin Man.

Warner also occasionally worked behind the camera. He has directed episodes of “The Cosby Show,” “Malcolm and Eddie,” “Keenan and Kel,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “All That” and “Sesame Street.” He also helmed a short film, “This Old Man,” and the video “Time Out: The Truth about HIV, AIDS and YOU,” which earned him an NAACP Key of Life Image Award.

In addition to his television and film works, Warner has branched out in music and now fronts the LA jazz-funk band “Miles Long,” which plays under his own label, Wonder Factory. In 2003. He displayed his musical chops by releasing his debut EP, "The Miles Long Mixtape," and followed it up in 2007 with his sophomore CD entitled "Love & Other Social Issues."

On a more personal note, the 5' 11" actor/director/musician dated "Family Matters" (1989) actress Michelle Thomas from 1988 to 1994 and reportedly was at her bedside when she died of cancer in December 1998 at age 30. Warner is currently married to actress Karen Malina White, who played Charmaine Brown on “The Cosby Show” and “A Different World.” He released an autobiography, "Theo and Me," in 1988.

Jersey-Born, California-Raised

Childhood and Family:

In Jersey City, New Jersey, Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born on August 18, 1970, to Robert and Pam Warner. After his parents' divorce in 1972, Malcolm was raised in Southern California by her mother who would later also become his manager. He is maternal grandson of James and Thelma Mcgee and paternal grandson of Alpha Kate Warner.

Malcolm attended Agelus Mesa Elementary School and Professional Children's School, New York, New York, where he graduated in 1988. He also took Film as a major in New York University, New York, New York, and studied with Gary Veney at an acting class in Inglewood, California.

Named after Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, Malcolm, whose favorite rock group is Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, now fronts and plays upright bass in the jazz front band “Miles Long,” which records under his own label, the Wonder Factory. In 1988, he released an autobiography, "Theo and Me."

Malcolm, who once dated actress Michelle Thomas (Malcolm reportedly was at Michelle's bedside during her passing from stomach cancer on December 22, 1998), is currently married to actress Karen Malina White, who played Charmaine Brown on “The Cosby Show” and “A Different World.”

He now lives in Los Angeles and enjoys playing basketball and participates in live poetry readings in his free time.

The Cosby Show

Career:

Showing an interest in the show business at age 9, Malcolm-Jamal Warner was enrolled in acting schools and landed role of Bill Cosby's son Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable on the last day of a nationwide talent search. He played the character on the highly popular NBC sitcom "The Cosby Show" from 1984 to 1992 and received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the 1985-1986 season.

Warner also won three Young Artist Awards, two for Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Television Series (1985 and 1990), and one for Best Young Actor/Actress Ensemble in a Television Comedy, Drama Series or Special (1989). Additionally, he was nominated Young Artist Award's Best Young Male Superstar in Television in 1984 and TV Land Awards' Favorite Singing Siblings which he shared with Sabrina Le Beauf, Lisa Bonet, Tempestt Bledsoe, and Keshia Knight Pulliam. Warner, who used his 6th grade school picture as his headshot for the show was also ranked #32 in VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars."

Meanwhile, Warner became a grand Marshall in a Pittsburgh parade in 1985 and hosted "CBS Storybreak" in that same year. He had a lead role in "A Desperate Exit", a 1986 "ABC Afterschool Special," and made TV-movie acting debut in the NBC biopic "The Father Clemens Story" (1987). He also appeared in Whodini's music video for "Funky Beat" (1986) and appeared in Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl" (1987) music video, as well as released an autobiography, "Theo and Me," in 1988.

On stage, Warner made his off-Broadway debut in "Three Ways Home" in 1988. He would later appear in the plays "Babes," portraying Lolo Lamont Leonard Lawrence Liston Jr., and "Alice is That You?," taking the role of the Tin Man.

During a hiatus from the sitcom in 1989, Warner stepped behind the cameras to helm a music video for the group “New Edition.” In the following year, he directed the first of four episodes of "The Cosby Show."

In the early 1990s, Warner appeared in the print ad for Kool Aid, directed the short film "This Old Man ..." (1991), and executive-produced, directed and hosted "The Last Laugh: Memories of the Cosby Show" (1992). After playing Alexander James on the short-lived NBC comedy series "Here and Now" (1992), he voiced the character of The Producer on the animated children's show "The Magic School Bus" (PBS; 1994-1997).

During that time, Warner helmed several episodes of "Sesame Street" and made feature acting debut playing Wesley Snipes' brother in "Drop Zone" (1994). He was also spotted as a guest in a 1995 episode of the CBS drama series “Touched by an Angel,” which earned him an Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and had featured roles in the HBO telefilms "Tyson" and "The Tuskegee Airmen" (1995).

In 1996, Warner returned to series TV co-starring in the UPN sitcom "Malcolm and Eddie" and also directed several episodes. His performance in the show as Malcolm McGee, a responsible and sensible twenty something who ends up sharing an apartment and a business venture with relentlessly enthusiastic tow truck owner Eddie Sherman (played by Eddie Griffin), handed him an Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series in 2001.

During his "Malcolm and Eddie" stint, Warner made a second feature, an ensemble piece called "Restaurant" (1998). And after his contract with "Malcolm and Eddie" ended in 2000, Warner co-starred with Luke Perry in the Showtime post-apocalyptic series "Jeremiah" (2002-2004), playing Perry's Jeremiah's partner Kurdy, a tough and cynical man, yet also passionate who discovers the secrets of Thunder Mountain with Jeremiah.

Meanwhile, Warner did voice-over for the trailer for “Brown Sugar” (2002) and made TV commercial for TV Land Network (2004). After apperaing in Denise Dowse's 41-minute short film "Reflections: A Story of Redemption" (2004), he went on to co-star in the short-lived CBS sitcom based on the life of popular sportswriter Tony Kornheiser, "Listen Up" (2004-2005), alongside Jason Alexander from “Seinfeld” fame. For his portrayal as Bernie Widmer, Warner received a BET Comedy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

2006 saw Warner in the films "The List," a buddy movie directed by Brandon Sonnier and stars Wayne Brady and Sydney Tamiia Poitier, and "Contradictions of the Heart," a drama helmed by Walter Allen Bennett Jr. which features Vanessa Williams and LisaRaye. He was also spotted as a guest in a December 2006 episode of Showtime's drama/psychological thriller series based on the novel "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" by Jeff Lindsay, "Dexter," starring Michael C. Hall.

Warner will soon be seen alongside Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, playing a gangsta rapper's Rastafarian henchman named Cordell, in Andy Tennant's upcoming 2008 adventure/romance film about a married couple who rekindle their romantic life while searching for a lost treasure, "Fool's Gold," which set to be released on February 8, 2008.

“It's funny, people aren't so much surprised that I have a band as much as they are that we're good." Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

In addition to his acting career, Warner has branched out in music and now fronts the LA jazz-funk band “Miles Long,” which plays under his own label, Wonder Factory. In 2003, he displayed his musical chops by releasing his debut EP, "The Miles Long Mixtape.." He followed it up in 2007 with his sophomore CD entitled "Love & Other Social Issues." Although the majority of the CD was thought up by Warner and his band, the first track slot was earned by up-and-coming music producer Young Hype. The song "Running on Empty," which also became a front-running song for the album, is produced and co-written by Young Hype.

"Urban Jazz/Funk has been the closest description, which is cool because we do approach you like jazz, but definitely hit you with the funk." Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

Recently, an evening with Warner scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. at Pittsburg State University's Overman Student Center has been postponed due to weather-related travel delays. The show has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 25, at the same time and location.

Awards:

• Young Artist: Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Television Series, "The Cosby Show," 1990

• Young Artist: Best Young Actor/Actress Ensemble in a Television Comedy, Drama Series or Special, "The Cosby Show," 1989

• Young Artist: Best Young Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy Series, "The Cosby Show," 1985