Reading Time: 2 minutesThe television character Malcolm-Jamal Warner, whom we remember affectionately as Theo Huxtable, showed us how to grow up while stumbling through life with laughter. The untimely death of Malcolm at 54 years old in Costa Rica on Sunday remains a story which no scriptwriter could have predicted.
The official report? A fatal incident occurred at Limón beach which serves as both a popular spot for surfers and a dangerous area for people who want to swim. The unsuccessful attempt by bystanders to save him demonstrated the absence of lifeguards and commercial breaks in real life situations.
The Theo We Loved
During his entire career, Warner will be best remembered for his role as Theo Huxtable in the middle position of ”The Cosby Show.” During the period from 1984 to 1992, Theo made his way through teenage years in an unforgettable manner. Every person who desires independence as well as every misbehaved sibling and every confused teenager dealing with algebra and human emotions relates to him. Watching Theo graduate from N.Y.U. was similar to witnessing our own youngster accomplish this milestone despite our “parenting” limited to cheering from the couch while munching popcorn.
But here’s the thing…Warner wasn’t just Theo.
Beyond the Huxtables
Stereotype who? Warner moved beyond stereotypical roles to pursue an interesting professional path. The actor played roles in sitcoms such as Malcolm & Eddie and took dramatic parts in The Resident while using his voice for The Magic School Bus because he wanted to be a “TV dad” with Tracee Ellis Ross in Reed Between the Lines. His extensive career showcased his ability to bring authentic performances to each project thanks to his strong foundation as an actor named Malcolm.
I must add that he is also a Grammy winner to the list. Yep, you heard me. Warner wasn’t only an actor; he was an artist. He obtained his Grammy award by contributing to Robert Glasper Experiment’s “Jesus Children of America” while his poetry album Hiding in Plain View received Grammy consideration. You want depth? Warner had layers. Most people struggle to handle their email inbox combined with their Netflix streaming queue.
Warner used his poetry to express meaningful thoughts about social and racial identity and he composed musical tributes to Sandy Hook victims while simultaneously learning bass guitar to become a jazz musician. We cannot understand this but we acknowledge your artistic achievement.
An Advocate, Always
Warner dedicated his career to more than just performing in roles or receiving awards. Advocacy was baked into who he was. Not All Hood is his new podcast from last year which explores complex Black identity discussions. The podcast ranked as one of the many available podcasts in the podcasting world. This platform hosted genuine discussions between respectful disagreement and meaningful shared knowledge.
The various platforms that Warner operated on allowed him to amplify different voices while initiating meaningful discussions. His last podcast recording before death focused on Black American problems and Black cultural strength. Every moment in his life became a lesson for others because he made every opportunity count as a learning experience.
The Bittersweet Reality
During our reminiscence of his life we hear his own words once more. In 2015 he expressed his sadness about The Cosby Show when he said “That’s the thing that saddens me the most… the Huxtables will have been just a fairy tale in a few generations.” The combination of a Grammy-winning track with a spoken-word album and real-life advocacy is not typical in fairy tales. Warner used his life to show how living intentionally alongside artistic pursuits defines human existence.
Malcolm was more than the character Theo to viewers. The world knew him as an artist, advocate, truth-teller and trailblazer. The man who proved there are multiple paths to make an indelible mark on the world. Although the credits ended all too soon, his lasting influence remains unmistakable.
Rest easy, Malcolm, and thanks for showing us what it means to live in full color.
