‘The Resident' EPs, Co-Stars Morris Chestnut & Shaunette Renée Wilson Pay Tribute To Malcolm-Jamal Warner: 'He Was Larger Than Life'

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3 days ago

Although beloved for his role as Theo Huxtable in the 1980s sitcom The Cosby Show, it was his portrayal of AJ 'The Raptor' Austin in Fox's medical drama The Resident (2018-2023) that allowed fans to reconnect with Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who drowned Sunday, as an adult in a major way.
AJ was known for being a man of the people and principles. Through his character, the series brought to the forefront conversations around the complexities of the broken healthcare and immigration systems in the U.S., as well as adoption, through the character's personal experiences.
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As someone who covered the show during its six-season run, I can confidently say Warner, who died Sunday in a drowning accident in Costa Rica, shared great qualities with AJ. Not only were they caring and smart, but also intentional, thoughtful, and funny.
'Working with Malcolm was a joy. He was a fabulous actor and a stellar human being. He was larger than life, and brought a deep empathy and humanity to every scene. He was thoughtful, kind, and incredibly hard-working, a devoted family man with a dear wife and child. And if that weren't enough, he made us laugh. Our condolences to all who loved him as we did. His death is a tragic loss and he will be missed,' The Resident's executive producers Amy Holden Jones, Todd Harthan and Andrew Chapman in a group statement to Deadline on Monday.
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Warner played AJ with pride and was always happy to speak to the media about the importance of the character existing in the mainstream, and how much fun it was to go toe-to-toe with Morris Chestnut when the latter joined during the show's third season. The battle of wits between Chestnut's character, the cocky neurosurgeon Barrett Cain, and The Raptor is legendary to fans of the series.
When Cain was gravely injured while trying to save a woman who had been in a car accident, AJ was there to support and challenge him.
'Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner,' Chestnut wrote today. 'Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor. He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on.'
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Warner also worked closely with Shaunette Renée Wilson, who played Mina Okafor on The Resident. Mina and AJ were the hot, hot, hot newest couple for a while, as their characters eventually built a relationship on a deeper level. Between AJ and Mina, there was a meeting of the minds, passion, and most importantly friendship and respect. It was through their pairing that the immigration storyline was explored: AJ proposed to Mina, but her visa was due to expire. Exhausted and frustrated from trying to secure a more long-term stay in the U.S., Mina self-deported to her native Nigeria. AJ was planning to join her and set off on a new adventure together, but he stayed behind to care for his ailing mother, who had cancer. Wilson left the series at the end of Season 4.
'Last week I had the impulse to text you for one of our lengthy heart check-ins. I truly wish I had so that one of the last words I had of you were of your wisdom, kindness, and that uncanny ability you had to be both unserious and profound within a single sentence. I'm beyond heartbroken. You were such a dear friend to me,' wrote Wilson via Instagram today.
She added, 'My heart goes out to the family and loved ones he leaves behind. I cannot conceive the amount of grief with such a tragedy. Rest in Power, Malcolm. It was a joy to be Mina to your AJ. I will miss you deeply. 💔'
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The series also starred Bruce Greenwood, Manish Dayal, Emily VanCamp, Matt Czuchry and Jane Leeves.
Ken Laurence, lead tailor on The Resident, also remembered Warner.
'I had the pleasure of working w/ Malcolm-Jamal Warner, when I was the lead-tailor for 'The Resident'. He wasn't just an actor to me. He represented legacy. A pioneer in Black storytelling. A cultural icon. May his soul rest peacefully and in power for eternity,' he posted via X.
Warner was with the show across its six seasons as an actor, and he directed the Season 4 episode titled 'The Accidental Patient.' Following his run on The Resident, he returned to Fox in an episode of Accused, a crime drama anthology with each episode counting as its own story, in 2023. His final TV credit was on another Fox drama, Alert: Missing Persons Unit, in the role of Chief Inspector Bill Houston.
'Everyone at Fox is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, the extraordinary Malcolm-Jamal Warner. While his iconic roles – from comedic to dramatic – are unforgettable and timeless, Malcolm will be remembered most for his warmth, kind heart and the lasting impact he had on his friends, family and fans everywhere. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones,' Fox shared in a statement.
When I first met Warner, I visited the set in Atlanta ahead of one of The Resident's early seasons. Having grown up watching him on The Cosby Show, I asked whether he ever considered AJ as a grown-up version of Theo, who followed in his father's footsteps and became a doctor. I remember he flashed his trademark smile, and he told me he had never considered that, but he was into it.
While Warner may be gone, he's left behind a plethora of work as his legacy, to be enjoyed by future generations.
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