Star of Kansas City sitcom from the ‘90s dies: ‘You’ve taught me so much’
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, “The Cosby Show” actor who died Sunday, had strong Kansas City connections.
The actor drowned in Costa Rica in what authorities described as an accident.
After his run as Theo Huxtable, Warner starred in the Kansas City-set sitcom “Malcolm & Eddie,” which ran for four seasons from 1996 to 2000.
Former co-star and Kansas City native Eddie Griffin wrote in an Instagram post Monday, “My Heart is heavy today … You’ve taught me so much and I thank you.”
A 1996 review published in The Kansas City Star said that Warner and Griffin “room above a bar called Kelly’s. Indeed, it’s the Kelly’s of Westport.” The sitcom, likened to “The Odd Couple” at the time, followed the roommate relationship of the subdued Warner and the goofy Griffin.
The show’s opening credits show the Kansas City skyline, a Chiefs pennant, an 18th and Vine street sign, the Westport Kelly’s sign and footage of driving into the city.
The Kansas City native Griffin grew up in the Washington Wheatley neighborhood, according to a 1996 interview with The Star. A 1996 article said Griffin came up with the idea to set the show in the metro.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 12:44 PM.
