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Acting career, achievements and the need to last
Warner stays on the air for eight seasons, The Cosby Show makes him a headliner in his teens. The role earned him an Emmy nomination in 1986. At the same time, he tried his hand at directing episodes of shows such as The Cosby Show, All That, Kenan & Kel, Malcolm & Eddie, and even produced music videos and an educational film on HIV( 1992) starring Arsenio Hall and Magic Johnson, among others. After the end of the series in 1992, he went on to play leading roles in Jeremiah, Malcolm & Eddie( UPN), as well as appearances on Community, American Crime Story, Suits, The Resident and Sneaky Pete, without ever abandoning his artistic path. His mother, constantly telling him that success is fleeting, urged him not to limit himself to his child-star status and to work to endure:
“ My mother sat me down and said,‘ It’ s great that this show is a phenomenon, but what are you going to do when it’ s over?
A total artist: music, poetry, transmission)
From an early age, he turned to music and poetry: as a bassist and spoken-word artist, he published The Miles Long Mixtape( 2003), followed by several albums, including Selfless with soul and jazz collaborations.. In 2015, he won the Grammy for Best Traditional R & B Performance for“ Jesus Children” with the Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway. In June 2024, he launches the Not All Hood podcast with Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley to explore the varied experiences within the black American community. Warner explains that music allowed him to find an avenue to express himself differently:“ Outside artistic action on TV... it allows me to not always be frustrated by the mechanics of showbiz.”“ Music and poetry allow me to speak from a place that actors don’ t always reach. That’ s why I need both.“
Flashmag! Edition 163 Aout 2025
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