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Boston Globe
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
A former entertainment reporter remembers Malcolm-Jamal Warner as ‘America's brother and son'
First appearing in the role when he was 14, Warner came to represent the experience of The '80s was a decade that grappled seriously with images of Black men, who were often portrayed in negative stereotypes. But Warner's Theo was different. He was accessible, likeable, honest, earnest. He was loving, could be boastful, and while hardworking liked shortcuts. Theo was flawed and funny, someone easy to relate to. Advertisement While best known for Most recently as host of of the Black community. While he became a household name at a young age, he never stopped evolving as an artist. Advertisement As an entertainment journalist, I had the opportunity to interview Warner three times over the years. In each of our discussions, he was friendly, honest and incredibly humble. Chatting with him felt like reconnecting with an old friend. And as much as I thought I knew about him, each time we spoke I always discovered something new, like when he told me his dad named him We shared how much we loved Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall' album. As a musician, Warner told me he rediscovered each song from that album with 'different' ears . He once told me the legacy of 'The Cosby Show' meant a lot to him. 'It's definitely a show that I'm proud of and am proud to have been a part of. It's a show that changed television,' Warner said. 'It changed the way Black America, white America, and the world looked at Black people.' We also chatted about his latest projects and who he was dating — because folks wanted to know. Warner dated a few famous actresses, including Karin Malina White, Michelle Thomas, whom he cared for until her death from cancer in 1998, and Regina King. In 2017, he quietly got married, but kept the identity of his wife and their now 8-year old daughter private. When you make a living interviewing famous people, you're sometimes disappointed when you meet them and they're not who you thought they might be. Advertisement But as a man and professional, Warner was as wonderful as I expected. Even more terrific than Theo. For the generations that don't have a strong connection to Warner's work, his greatest legacy may be the young black male actors and entertainers who came after him, from Jaleel White in 'Family Matters,' Tyler James Williams in 'Everybody Hates Chris,' or the bevy of characters former Nickelodeon stars Keenan (Thompson) and Kel (Mitchell) portrayed in TV and films. Warner's success made it possible for someone like Nick Cannon of 'The Masked Singer' fame to transition from a young TV and film idol into a broadcast mogul. Reflecting on his passing over the last 24 hours, I kept thinking about what his legacy meant for my generation, the generation that grew up with him. We were lucky to be able to enjoy his amazing talents. And he left us a trove of other work that can still be uncovered. So not only can you stream 'The Cosby Show' episodes that you know all the dialogue to, but you can also watch Malcolm in '9-1-1″ or 'Sons of Anarchy' or 'Sneaky Pete', listen to his music, and take in his podcast. Warner's loss is tremendous and he will be missed deeply. But thanks to his artistry, he won't ever be forgotten. Ronke Idowu Reeves is the Globe's SEO Editor. For over 20 years she worked as an entertainment writer and reporter for PEOPLE, BET, VH1, The Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Festival. She is a contributor to the books 'Oprah: A Celebration at 70' and PEOPLE Books: Special Edition Barbie.'
News18
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Michael Jackson Death Anniversary 2025: How He Died, Last Words, And Top Hits
Last Updated: Michael Jackson Death Anniversary 2025: With an estimated 750 million records sold worldwide, his impact on music, dance, and pop culture is unmatched. Michael Jackson Death Anniversary 2025: More than a decade after his passing, fans around the world continue to mourn the loss of Michael Jackson. Widely regarded as one of the greatest entertainers in history, Jackson died of cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009, at his Los Angeles residence. At the time, he was preparing for a comeback concert series in London, plans that were tragically cut short, leaving the global entertainment industry in shock. Sixteen years on, Michael Jackson's legacy as the 'King of Pop' remains as powerful as ever. With an estimated 750 million records sold worldwide, his impact on music, dance, and pop culture is unmatched. As we mark his death anniversary this year, we pay tribute to the icon by revisiting his most iconic albums and songs. We also take a closer look at the circumstances surrounding his death, including his final words and last meal. According to Michael Jackson's personal doctor Conrad Murray, the 50-year-old had stopped breathing minutes after he gave him a large dose of propofol and benzodiazepine to help him sleep. He soon called the paramedics, but they could not resuscitate him, and the legendary singer was pronounced dead two hours later. In 2011, Dr Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was sent to prison for four years. During his trial, Dr Murray told the court Jackson's last words he had uttered before his death. According to the doctor, the pop icon had requested 'milk' – the term he used to refer to the anaesthetic propofol. In Murray's words, '[Jackson] said, Please, please, give me some milk so that I can sleep, because I know that this is all that really works for me." 'He said, 'Just make me sleep, doesn't matter what time I get up,'" the doctor added. Michael Jackson's last meal was a spinach salad with chicken breast, according to Times Now. The light, healthy meal was served to him on the evening before his death. Top 10 Albums Of Michael Jackson Thriller: More than just an album, Thriller is a cultural phenomenon. Featuring iconic tracks like Billie Jean, Beat It, and the legendary title track, the album became the best-selling record of all time, with over 70 million copies sold globally. Bad: Released on August 31, 1987, Bad was the highly anticipated follow-up to the record-breaking Thriller. The album showcased a more edgy and aggressive side of Jackson, featuring hits like Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror, and The Way You Make Me Feel. Off The Wall: Released in 1979, this 10-track album marked Jackson's evolution from a former child prodigy to a powerful solo artist. With Off The Wall, Jackson earned his place in the pop stratosphere, combining disco, funk, and soul into a timeless classic. Dangerous: This album introduced Jackson's sound to the new jack swing era, blending R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences. The album delivered memorable tracks like Black or White, Remember the Time, In the Closet, and Will You Be There, further solidifying his global dominance. HIStory – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK I: It combined the greatest-hits collection, reflecting on Jackson's life and career at a turbulent time. Tracks like They Don't Care About Us and Scream highlighted MJ's anger towards societal issues. Invincible: Jackson's final studio album during his lifetime sold over 6 million copies, despite limited promotions, proving the pop icon's stardom. Music And Me: The pop icon released the album in 1973. It is a collection of sweet, soulful tracks, showcasing Jackson's vocal maturity and emotional depth. Forever Michael: Packed with soft soul, easy-listening and heartfelt ballads, the album marked MJ's evolution even as it failed to register a massive commercial success. Got To Be There: Jackson's solo debut album at just 13 years old won him critical acclaim for the emotional depth in his work. This Is It: A blend of live rehearsal tracks, demos, and one new track, the posthumous album served as the companion to the documentary of the same name. Top 10 Songs Of Michael Jackson Billie Jean: It propelled the singer to a true worldwide sensation and is believed to have introduced the iconic Thriller album to the masses. Beat It: The dancefloor gem from the album Thriller comes with an anti-violence message encouraging people to walk away from fights. Rock With You: Penned by British songwriter Rod Temperton of the R&B group Heatwave, the song earned Jackson Top Singles Artist honours that year. The Way You Make Me Feel: The third single from Bad was his most famous career performance at the Grammy Awards in 1988, with a stripped-down intro. Man In The Mirror: After Jackson's death in 2009, the song reached number two in the UK and was the most downloaded of all his tracks. Black Or White: The music video featured stars of the time, including Macaulay Culkin, Cheers actor George Wendt, Bart and Homer Simpson. Smooth Criminal: One of Michael's signature songs, the song's early version was written in 1985. The video featured Michael and his dancers performing a nearly impossible forward lean. You Rock My World: The song came with a 13-minute video, starring Rush Hour actor Chris Tucker and Hollywood icon Marlon Brando. Earth Song: It was the final song ever performed by Jackson. The pop sensation was rehearsing it the night before he died in 2009. Bad: The title track from Jackson's album showed him and a group of gangsters dancing in a subway station. First Published: June 25, 2025, 07:20 IST
