On Tuesday, October 7, viewers who tuned into the FOX series “Murder in a Small Town” watched the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner in his final performance before his death. The beloved actor, who was best known to many as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” passed away in July after getting caught in an ocean current.
After his death, showrunner Ian Weir commented on his excitement about working with him. âWe were really delighted when Malcolm agreed to join us as a guest star â and completely thrilled by the experience of working with him,” he told People. “He was such a leader and a gentleman. Itâs such a terrible, tragic loss.â
At the end of the episode is a touching message: “Dedicated to the memory of Malcolm-Jamal Warner.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Turned a Minor Role into the Heart of âMother Loveâ
The episode is titled “Mother Love,” and is the third episode of Season 2. Warner plays a father named Richard Bannister, who is fiercely protective of his teen daughter. Shortly after his ex-wife comes into town after a five-year absence, she’s found murdered. Bannister ends up as the primary suspect. Many other characters and subplots were unfolding during the episode, but Warner made it feel like he was in a starring role.
“He was so dynamic in the role,” producer Kim Roberts told TV Insider. “It was actually not meant to be a huge role, and he found a way of bringing that character to life beyond any of our expectations. And he had to walk a really fine line between protecting his daughter and making sure that she wasnât going to be further traumatized and being sympathetic.”
“And I think he did an amazing job at doing both â that is, that we really cared for him and understood the dilemma, while at the same time⦠[he was] someone who was definitely a suspect in the murder,” Roberts continued. “So we were thrilled to have him, and he was such a joy to work with as well.”
I think he really touched all of the crew, just because he is genuinely the person that you see, like heâs just so â was, unfortunately â just so full of life, so full of goodness, and said really, really positive things to everyone, and itâs very sad,” co-producer, Tina Pehme added. “Weâre very lucky to have had him.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Was a Powerful Force Who Affected Many Lives
While Warner was known for giving his all to his performances, he also gave everything to friends and family. After his passing, many people, both expected and unexpected, came forward to talk about how he had changed them. His publicist, Jordyn Palos, claimed that he was responsible for her career. Others, like Anthony Mackie, Viola Davis, and Keshia Knight Pulliam shared the impact he had on their lives.
Warner is survived by his wife, Tenisha, and daughter. He had protectively kept both out of the spotlight, but Tenisha broke her silence on Instagram two months after his death.
“Tomorrow marks our anniversary â
and my heart is wide open,” she wrote.
“For the first time,
Iâm sharing a glimpse of the love that began it all.”
“I can still hear my husbandâs laugh,
still feel the way he made room for every part of me â
every tear, every dream.”
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