'The Resident' and 11 other landmark shows Malcolm‑Jamal Warner starred in

Malcolm‑Jamal Warner captured the hearts of millions as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show. But his career has been far more expansive—spanning sitcoms, dramas, voice work, music, directing, and podcasting.

Here's a selection of 12 of his standout roles he shall be remembered for.

Genre: Sitcom, Family

Runtime: 8 seasons, ~25 min/episode, 201 episodes

Warner earned acclaim as the academically curious and charismatic only son in the Huxtable family. His portrayal with depth and humor earned an Emmy nomination and helped shape a generation’s image of a loving Black family.

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Genre: Sitcom, Comedy

Runtime: 4 seasons, 89 episodes, ~22 min/ep

Warner partners with Eddie Griffin in this buddy sitcom. His steady straight man complements Eddie’s wild energy, showcasing his comedic timing and expanding into directing for the series.

Genre: Sitcom, Family

Runtime: 2 seasons, 33 episodes, ~30 min/ep

Warner stars and produces in this blended-family sitcom alongside Tracee Ellis Ross, blending humor with social themes. Earned him an NAACP Image Award nomination.

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Genre: Medical Drama

Runtime: 6 seasons, ~42–60 min/ep

Streaming: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+

Warner plays a compelling, layered cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. AJ, aka The Raptor, whose arc explores ambition, ethics, and personal growth within the high-pressure world of medicine.

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: Recurring, ~4 episodes in Season 1 (~22 min/ep)

Streaming: Hulu, Netflix (region‑dependent)

As Shirley’s ex-husband, Warner brings comedic weight and meta-references to his character, including homage to The Cosby Show, in this cult-series ensemble.

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Genre: True‑Crime, Drama

Runtime: Limited series, ~10 episodes (~45 min/ep)

Streaming: FX on Hulu

Warner portrays Simpson’s longtime friend who drove the infamous Bronco chase. Subtle, emotional presence in a highly documented tragedy

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Genre: Crime Drama, Procedural

Runtime: Recurring across multiple seasons (~14 episodes)

Streaming: NBC / TNT platforms

As LAPD Special Investigations lead, Warner plays a principled officer balancing justice and bureaucracy in this Closer spinoff. Cinego+10MovieWeb+10Wikipedia+10

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Genre: Legal Drama

Runtime: Recurring in Season 6 (~6 episodes)

Streaming: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Peacock

Warner plays the empathetic prison counselor to Mike Ross—focused on rehabilitation and redemption. His presence provides emotional depth to legal storylines.

Genre: Children’s Animation

Runtime: ~43 episodes

Streaming: PBS Kids, DVD

Warner lent his distinctive voice to this beloved educational series, anchoring its fun yet informative approach.

Genre: Action-Comedy / Adventure

Runtime: 112 min

Co‑starring with Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, Warner plays a treasure hunter teammate, mixing humor and adventure in this beach-set romp.

Genre: Romantic Drama, Ensemble

Runtime: 107 min

Set in a Hoboken diner, this young ensemble drama features Warner among waitstaff chasing dreams. He offers charm and emotional calibration in an indie NY/NJ setting. Wikipedia

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 89 min

Streaming: Showtime, Rent/Buy

Warner portrays a first responder in the wake of a school shooting. The film explores trauma, grief, and healing from multiple perspectives in a sensitive ensemble piece.

Now, he leaves behind a body of work that will keep him alive on-screen and in memory.