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  • Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dead at the Age of 54

    (L to R) Tempestt Bledsoe, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lisa Bonet, Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, and Keshia Knight Pulliam in 'The Cosby Show'. Photo: NBC Television.
    (L to R) Tempestt Bledsoe, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lisa Bonet, Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, and Keshia Knight Pulliam in ‘The Cosby Show’. Photo: NBC Television.

    Preview:

    • Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died in a swimming accident aged 54.
    • He was best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’.
    • But Warner also leaves behind a solid career of work on screens big and small.

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the Emmy-nominated actor best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’, has died at the age of 54.

    A beloved television presence for more than four decades, Warner brought warmth, humor, and quiet charisma to every project he touched—from his early fame as a teen sitcom star to his more recent work in drama and voiceover. His death was confirmed by his family on Monday, with reports indicating that Warner drowned while on vacation with his family in Costa Rica.

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    He became best known for his work on ‘The Cosby Show’, but proved he could be much more than a teen actor on a sitcom.

    Related Article: ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Has Died Aged 67

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Early Life

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner in 'Malcolm & Eddie'. Photo: Columbia TriStar Television.
    Malcolm-Jamal Warner in ‘Malcolm & Eddie’. Photo: Columbia TriStar Television.

    Born August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Malcolm-Jamal Warner was raised by his mother, Pamela Warner, a manager who supported and guided his career from the beginning. He showed an early interest in performing, enrolling in acting schools and taking part in local theater before landing his big break.

    Warner first captured America’s attention in the mid-1980s, playing the wisecracking, relatable teenage son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’, a role that made him a household name and cultural icon.

    He was just 14 when he was cast, but his performance often stood out for its maturity and emotional nuance.

    Malcolm Jamal-Warner: Beyond Theo

    (L to R) Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Bruce Greenwood,

    Warner not only grew up in front of millions of viewers but also matured into a thoughtful artist, eventually studying directing and music as his career evolved.

    In the 1990s and early 2000s, he made successful turns in series such as ‘Malcolm & Eddie’ and ‘Jeremiah’, while also becoming a steady presence on stage and behind the camera. A passionate jazz musician and spoken word artist, Warner released multiple albums with his band and often used his art to explore themes of identity, race, and love.

    More recently, he found a second wave of acclaim playing Dr. AJ Austin on ‘The Resident’, bringing depth and gravitas to the Fox medical drama. His portrayal of the complex, brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon earned praise for its emotional resonance and subtlety.

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Legacy

    (L to R) Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe, Bill Cosby, Sabrina Le Beauf, Geoffrey Owens, and Keshia Knight Pulliam in 'The Cosby Show'. Photo: NBC Television.
    (L to R) Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe, Bill Cosby, Sabrina Le Beauf, Geoffrey Owens, and Keshia Knight Pulliam in ‘The Cosby Show’. Photo: NBC Television.

    Though Warner spent much of his life in the spotlight, he was known to be deeply private, thoughtful, and deliberate with his choices—both personally and professionally.

    Colleagues and collaborators often spoke of his quiet intelligence and soulful presence. He was not one to chase headlines but rather sought meaning in his work and relationships.

    In a 2021 interview, Warner reflected on his legacy, saying:

    “I just want to leave behind work that means something. That mattered to someone. That helped them see themselves.”

    He is survived by his wife and their daughter, along with countless fans, peers, and friends.

    (L to R) Lisa Bonet, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Phylicia Rashad, Sabrina Le Beauf, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Bill Cosby, and Tempestt Bledsoe, in 'The Cosby Show'. Photo: NBC Television.
    (L to R) Lisa Bonet, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Phylicia Rashad, Sabrina Le Beauf, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Bill Cosby, and Tempestt Bledsoe, in ‘The Cosby Show’. Photo: NBC Television.

    Movies and TV shows featuring Malcolm-Jamal Warner:

    Buy Malcolm Jamal-Warner Movies and TV on Amazon

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  • Netflix Plans ‘A Different World’ Sequel TV Series

    The cast of 'A Different World'. Photo: Carsey-Werner Productions.
    The cast of ‘A Different World’. Photo: Carsey-Werner Productions.

    Preview:

    • A sequel series to ‘A Different World’ is in the works.
    • It follows the characters’ youngest daughter at college.
    • Netflix is producing the new show.

    Netflix has had some success with sequel series to shows that ran elsewhere –– ‘That ‘90s Show’ (a follow-up to ‘That ‘70s Show’) is still going.

    And another series from The Carsey-Werner company is joining it in Netflix’s line-up, at least according to Deadline –– ‘A Different World’.

    Yes, the 1980s/1990 series which (slightly problematically these days) was created by Bill Cosby as a spin-off of his own show, is getting the follow-up treatment with a new series.

    What’s the story of ‘A Different World?

    (L to R) Dawnn Lewis, Lisa Bonet and Marisa Tomei in 'A Different World'. Photo: Carsey-Werner Productions.
    (L to R) Dawnn Lewis, Lisa Bonet and Marisa Tomei in ‘A Different World’. Photo: Carsey-Werner Productions.

    The show, which ran between 1987 and 1993, was run by Debbie Allen as director-producer, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood as writers, and Tom Werner as executive producer.

    ‘A Different World’ followed –– at least initially –– Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and her new classmates at Hillman College, a fictional historically Black college.

    Bonet exited after one season, but the show continued with the leading cast of Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Darryl M. Bell, Sinbad, Charnele Brown, Cree Summer and Glynn Turman.

    The retooled second season continued to follow the students’ lives, with the love story between Guy’s Whitley Gilbert and Hardison’s Dwayne Wayne at the center.

    Dwayne, famous for his glasses that flipped up, finally married on it in the Season 5 episode “Save the Best For Last.” Though Whitley was adamant she didn’t want children, she discovers she’s pregnant in “When One Door Closes,” the penultimate episode of the series, and everyone is elated. However, things get somber when Dwayne reveals he’s accepted a job in Japan where he and his wife will raise their family — a truly different world.

    Fun fact: Meg Ryan was originally cast as Denise’s roommate in Season One, but opted to pursue her film career, with Marisa Tomei taking her place.

    Meg Ryan in Bleecker Street’s 'What Happens Later.'
    Meg Ryan in Bleecker Street’s ‘What Happens Later.’ Credit: Bleecker Street.

    What story will the new show follow?

    The sequel will reportedly focus on the couple’s youngest daughter, who is now also attending Hillman.

    While casting is yet to begin officially, the producers have reportedly reached out to original cast members regarding interest and availability, and it seems (though Netflix has yet to comment officially) that at least a few of them will return in some capacity.

    Felicia Pride, who wrote on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and more recently was a producer on ‘Bel-Air’ is aboard to oversee the writing on the show, with the original producing team involved.

    Related Article: Callie Haverda and Mace Coronel Talk Netflix’s ‘That ’90s Show’ Season 2

    When will the ‘A Different World’ series land on Netflix?

    Don’t get too excited just yet –– versions of this new series have been in the offing for years with little forward movement. But with Netflix backing it, we can surely assume that the latest effort will make it to the company’s servers.

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    TV Shows produced by the Carsey-Werner Company:

    Buy ‘A Different World’ On Amazon

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  • ‘Cosby Show’ Actor Geoffrey Owens Addresses Trader Joe’s Job Shaming

    ‘Cosby Show’ Actor Geoffrey Owens Addresses Trader Joe’s Job Shaming

    Geoffrey Owens
    ABC

    Former “Cosby Show” actor Geoffrey Owens is not ashamed to work at Trader Joe’s. In fact, he proudly wore his employee name tag for all to see on “Good Morning America” Tuesday morning.

    Last week, a Daily Mail article about a Trader Joe’s customer spotting Owens, who played Sondra’s boyfriend-turned-husband on “The Cosby Show,” bagging groceries went viral. Then, many people on Twitter jumped to his defense and called out the job shaming.

    “I had been a working actor for years. Jobs stopped, as they do. I worked in retail. At a flower shop. I passed out flyers. It’s about the work,” Pamela Adlon tweeted.

    Owens finally spoke out to Robin Roberts about the entire incident. At first, he said he was devastated that his Trader Joe’s job was depicted as lowly work.

    But, he added, “The period of devastation was so short because so shortly after that, the responses, my wife and I started to read [them] … and fortunately the shame part didn’t last very long. It’s amazing.”

    Owens thanked everyone for their support and said he hopes this will spark conversations about “what it means to work, the honor of the working person, [and] the dignity of work.”

    He continued, “There is no job that’s better than another job. It might pay better, it might have better benefits, it might look better on a resume and on paper. But actually, it’s not better. Every job is worthwhile and valuable.”

    Owens continues to act, most recently in an April episode of “Elementary.”

    “No one should feel sorry for me,” he said. “I’ve had a great life. I’ve had a great career. I’ve had a career that most actors would die for. So no one has to feel sorry for me. I’m doing fine!”