Although beloved for its role as Theo Huxable in the 80s sitcom The Cosby ShowIt was his representation of AJ “The Raptor” Austin in Fox’s medical drama The resident (2018-2023) which allowed fans to reconnect with Malcolm-Jamal Warner as an adult major.
AJ was known to be a man of the people and principles. Thanks to its character, the series has put conversations around the complexities of broken health and immigration systems in the United States, as well as adoption through the personal experiences of the character. As a person who covered the show during his six -season race, I can say with confidence that Warner shared great qualities with AJ. Not only were they attentive and intelligent, but as intentional, thoughtful and funny.
“Working with Malcolm was a joy. He was a fabulous actor and a stellar human being. He was bigger than life, and brought a deep empathy and humanity to each scene. He was thought out, kind and incredibly hard, he made us laugh. Our condolences to all the people who loved. Producers Amy Holden Jones, Todd Harthan and Andrew Chapman in a group declaration in Deadline.
Warner played AJ with pride and has always been happy to speak to the media of the importance of the existing character in the dominant current, and how fun it was to go aside with Morris Chestnut when the latter joined the third season of the show. The battle of minds between the character of Chestnut, the arrogant neurosurgeon Barrett Cain, and the Raptor is legendary for fans of the series.
When Cain was seriously injured when he was trying to save a woman who had been in a car accident, AJ was right there to support and challenge him.
“The broken heart to hear the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Work alongside him The resident was an honor. He brought so much depth, warmth and wisdom to each scene and each conversation. One of the most beautiful in the business. Stay easy, brother. Your inheritance lives.
Shaunette Renée Wilson and Malcolm-Jamal Warner in Fox The resident
Warner has also worked in close collaboration with Shaunette Renée Wilson, who played Mina Okafor on The resident. Mina and AJ were the hot, warm and hot couple for a while, because their characters finally built a relationship at a deeper level. Between AJ and Mina, there was a meeting of minds, passion and, above all, friendship and respect. It was through their twinning that the immigration scenario was explored. AJ proposed to Mina, but her visa was to expire. Exhaust and frustrated to try to get a longer-term stay in the United States, Mina has self-depressed at her Natal Nigeria. AJ planned to join her and left for a new adventure together, but he stayed behind to take care of his sick mother, who had cancer. Wilson left the series at the end of season 4.
“Last week, I had the impulse of sending you a text for one of our long old hearts. I really want to have for one of the last words I had been of your wisdom, your kindness and this strange capacity that you should be both security and deeply in a single sentence. I am beyond the heart.
Adding: “My heart goes to the family and to dear beings it leaves.
The series with Bruce Greenwood, Manish Dayal, Emily Vancamp, Matt Czuchry and Jane Leeves.
Ken Laurence, lead tailor on The residentRecalled Warner also remembered.
“I had the pleasure of working with Malcolm Jamal-Warner, when I was the lead-wave of” the resident “. He was not only an actor for me. He represented the inheritance. A pioneer of black narration. A cultural icon. May his soul rested peacefully and in power for eternity, ”he posted via X.
Warner was with the show during his six seasons as an actor, and he made the episode of season 4 entitled “The accidental patient”. After his race on The residentHe returned to Fox in an episode of AccusedAn anthology of the criminal drama with each episode that has its own story, in 2023. His final television credit was on another Fox drama, Alert: missing people unitin the role of the chief inspector Bill Houston.
“Everyone in Fox has the heart broken by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, the extraordinary Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Although his emblematic roles – from the most comical to dramatic – are unforgettable and timeless, Malcolm will remain the most in his thoughts and deepest condolities and the deepest are with friends, fans. statement.
When I met Warner for the first time, I visited the set in Atlanta before one of the first seasons of the show. To have grown by looking at him The Cosby ShowI asked if he had already considered AJ as an adult version of Theo Huxtable, who followed his father’s footsteps and became a doctor. I remember that he flashed his brand smile, and he told me that he had never thought about it, but he was in it.
Although Warner left physically, he left a plethora of work like his inheritance, to be appreciated by future generations.
LR: Morris Chestnut, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Bruce Greenwood, Emily Vancamp, Matt Czuchry, Jane Leeves, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Manish Dayal
