Malcolm-Jamal Warner honored in final TV role on Fox’s ‘Murder in a Small Town’

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s final role in Fox’s Murder in a Small Town moves cast and crew after his tragic passing

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s final television appearance airs in this week’s episode of Fox’s Murder in a Small Town, titled Mother Love.

The actor, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, tragically passed away on July 20 from an accidental drowning while vacationing in Costa Rica.

Showrunner and executive producer Ian Weir remembered Warner as “absolutely wonderful,” telling The Post that the cast and crew “lost him far too soon.” He described Warner’s guest role as Richard Bannister, “a struggling single dad fiercely protective of his teenage daughter,” as deeply moving and authentic.

Weir added, “He became the emotional heart of the story. I wrote the episode, but I hadn’t seen its full depth until Malcolm-Jamal inhabited the role. It was magical.”

In real life, Warner was also a devoted father to his 8-year-old daughter with wife Tenisha Warner. His performance in Murder in a Small Town marks a poignant final chapter in a career defined by passion and integrity.

Series star Rossif Sutherland, who plays Chief of Police Karl Alberg, praised Warner’s professionalism and warmth on set, calling him “a generous soul and a lovely presence.” Sutherland added that Warner’s ability to adapt quickly to last-minute changes “showed how talented and humble he truly was.”

Weir confirmed that no edits were made to the episode following Warner’s death, saying, “The episode plays exactly as planned.”

Warner’s performance in Murder in a Small Town stands as a fitting tribute to a beloved actor whose legacy continues to inspire fans and colleagues alike.