You probably know Reno Wilson. Maybe you recognize him as Officer Carl McMillan from Mike & Molly, or perhaps you’re a fan of his gritty work in Good Girls. But if you grew up watching NBC on Thursday nights, you saw him long before he was a household name. He was just a kid from Brooklyn getting his big break.
Reno Wilson appeared on The Cosby Show during its peak years, and honestly, his role is one of those "wait, that was him?" moments that keeps trivia nights alive. He didn't just show up for a one-off cameo. He played Howard.
Howard was Theo Huxtable’s close friend at New York University. He was part of that tight-knit circle of college buddies that helped transition the show from the "adorable kids in the living room" phase to the "young adults figuring out life" phase. It’s a fascinating bit of television history because Wilson wasn't just a guest star; he was a recurring presence during the show’s fifth and sixth seasons. He was right there in the mix during some of the series' most iconic late-run storylines.
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The Reality of Reno Wilson on The Cosby Show
Let’s get one thing straight: Reno Wilson on The Cosby Show wasn't a starring role, but it was pivotal for his career. He appeared in roughly ten episodes between 1988 and 1989. Howard was the quintessential college friend. He was often seen hanging out with Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) and Denny (Troy Winbush).
Think back to the episode "The Lost Weekend." Theo and his friends are left alone in the Huxtable house, and things, predictably, get a little chaotic. Wilson is there. He brought a specific kind of energy to the screen—laid back, funny, and remarkably natural for a young actor.
It's funny how we look back at these shows.
At the time, Howard was just a supporting character. Looking back now, you can see the seeds of the charismatic actor Wilson would become. He had this ease about him. He didn't overplay the "best friend" trope. He just existed in that world. It’s rare for a sitcom to find guest actors who don't feel like they're "acting" in a sitcom, but Wilson pulled it off. He fit into the Huxtable universe like he’d lived in Brooklyn Heights his whole life.
Breaking Down the Episodes
If you’re going back to watch, look for the transition into Season 5. That’s when Howard becomes a regular fixture. He was part of the "NYU crew." This was a specific era of the show where Bill Cosby was trying to address the realities of college life—or at least the sitcom version of it.
Wilson appeared in episodes like:
- "It's Kids," where the group deals with the fallout of Theo’s academic struggles.
- "The Lost Weekend," the classic "parents are away" trope.
- "Theo's Women," which explored the dating lives of the college guys.
He wasn't just background noise. He had lines. He had beats. He had a character arc, albeit a minor one. Howard was the guy who was always there, the reliable friend who provided a sounding board for Theo’s latest schemes or anxieties.
Why This Role Mattered More Than You Think
Casting directors in the late 80s were looking for a very specific type of young Black actor. They wanted "approachable." They wanted "relatable." The Cosby Show was the gold standard for that. Being cast as one of Theo’s friends was basically a stamp of approval from the highest levels of the industry.
Reno Wilson has talked about this in various interviews over the years. He’s mentioned how working on that set was a masterclass. He wasn't just filming a show; he was watching Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, and a veteran crew operate at the absolute top of their game.
It was a training ground.
Think about the pressure. You're a young actor on the #1 show in the world. Millions of people are watching every Thursday night. If you mess up, everyone sees it. But Wilson didn't mess up. He thrived. He used that momentum to propel himself into a career that has spanned over three decades.
Most actors from that era faded away. They became "the kid from that one show." Wilson didn't. He leveraged the exposure. He went from Howard to a series of voice acting roles (he’s a huge deal in the Transformers franchise as Frenzy and Mudflap) and eventually to starring roles in major network sitcoms and dramas.
The Connection Beyond the Screen
There is a deeper layer here that people often miss. Wilson’s connection to the Cosby world didn't end when Howard stopped appearing. In the early 90s, he appeared in the spin-off A Different World.
Wait. He didn't play Howard.
In the episode "The Cashier," he played a character named Ron. This is a classic sitcom move—reusing talented actors in different roles within the same "universe." It shows how much the producers liked him. They wanted him back, even if it didn't strictly make sense for the continuity.
This happens more than you'd think in 80s and 90s TV. If a producer liked your work ethic and your timing, they’d find a spot for you. Wilson was a favorite. He was professional, he was talented, and he had that "it" factor that made him stand out even in a crowded scene at an NYU dorm.
The Evolution: From Howard to Carl McMillan
It’s a long road from the Huxtable living room to a police cruiser in Chicago. When Reno Wilson landed the role of Carl McMillan on Mike & Molly, it felt like a culmination of years of hard work.
But if you look closely, the DNA of Howard is still there.
Carl is the best friend. He’s the comic relief, but he also has a lot of heart. He’s the guy who supports the lead character through thick and thin. That’s exactly what Howard did for Theo. Wilson perfected the "sidekick with substance" role early on.
Honestly, it’s a testament to his range. He can do the broad comedy required for a multi-cam sitcom like Mike & Molly, but he can also do the heavy lifting in a show like Good Girls. He can voice a giant robot and make you believe it has a soul.
He’s a chameleon.
And it all started with those few episodes on NBC. It’s easy to dismiss guest spots on old sitcoms as "just a job," but for Wilson, it was the foundation. It gave him the visibility he needed to stay in the game. In an industry that eats young actors alive, Wilson stayed relevant. He stayed working.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Tenure
There’s a common misconception that Reno Wilson was a regular cast member. He wasn't. He was "recurring." There’s a big difference in the TV world. A regular gets their face in the opening credits and a guaranteed paycheck for every episode. A recurring actor has to prove their worth every single time they get called back to the set.
Wilson proved his worth ten times over.
Another thing people forget? The sheer cultural weight of The Cosby Show at that time. It wasn't just a show; it was a phenomenon. Being Howard meant that Wilson was part of the cultural zeitgeist. People recognized him on the street. He was "Theo’s friend."
That kind of fame is a double-edged sword. It can pigeonhole you. You can become Howard forever. Wilson managed to avoid that by constantly reinventing himself. He did the work. He took the small roles, the voice-over gigs, the indie projects. He didn't wait for the phone to ring with another "best friend" role; he went out and carved a path for himself.
The Lasting Impact of Howard
Does anyone still care about Howard from The Cosby Show?
Maybe not the character himself. Howard wasn't some deep, philosophical figure. He was a college kid who liked girls and didn't want to study. But we care about Reno Wilson. We care about the trajectory of his career.
When we see him on screen now, there’s a sense of familiarity. Even if you can’t quite place where you know him from, your subconscious remembers those nights in the late 80s. You remember the laughter. You remember that specific era of television where everything felt a little brighter and more optimistic.
Wilson represents a bridge between the classic sitcom era and the modern, prestige TV era. He’s seen it all. He’s worked through the shifts in how television is made, consumed, and remembered.
How to Spot Reno Wilson in Your Rewatch
If you’re diving back into the Huxtable archives, here’s what to look for.
First, ignore the first four seasons. You won't find him there. Start with Season 5. Pay attention to the scenes in Theo’s dorm room or at the campus hangout. Wilson is usually the one with the quickest comeback.
Look for the chemistry between him and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. It’s genuine. You can tell these guys actually liked each other. That’s not something you can fake, especially not for ten episodes. Their timing is impeccable. They play off each other like a seasoned comedy duo.
It’s also interesting to watch his physical evolution. In The Cosby Show, he’s lean, youthful, and has that late-80s style—think sweaters and denim. Compare that to his later roles where he’s more muscular and carries a different kind of authority. It’s a visual timeline of a man growing up in front of the camera.
The Takeaway for Aspiring Actors
Reno Wilson’s stint on The Cosby Show is a masterclass in how to handle a small role. He didn't try to steal every scene. He didn't try to overshadow the stars. He played his part. He added value to every scene he was in.
That’s how you get invited back.
He understood the assignment. The assignment was to make Theo’s world feel real. To make the audience believe that Theo had a life outside of his family. By being a convincing friend, Wilson helped ground the show during a time when it could have easily become too fantastical.
Moving Forward: Why It Matters Now
In 2026, we’re obsessed with nostalgia. We’re constantly looking back at the shows that shaped us. The Cosby Show is a complicated part of that history, for obvious reasons. But the work of the actors who populated that world—the young, talented performers who were just trying to make their mark—still deserves recognition.
Reno Wilson is a success story.
He’s proof that you don't need to be the lead to have a lasting career. You don't need to be the center of attention to be essential. Howard was a small part of a big show, but for Reno Wilson, it was the start of everything.
If you want to appreciate his journey, go back and watch those old episodes. See the kid from Brooklyn holding his own with the biggest stars on the planet. Then go watch Good Girls. Look at the range. Look at the growth.
It’s an impressive run. And it all started with a guy named Howard.
Actionable Insights for Television History Fans:
- Track the Evolution: Watch Season 5, Episode 10 of The Cosby Show ("The Lost Weekend") to see Wilson's comedic timing in its early form.
- Contrast the Roles: Immediately after, watch an episode of Good Girls (Season 1) to see how he transitioned from sitcom "best friend" to a nuanced, dramatic lead.
- Voice Acting Deep Dive: Check out the Transformers films and listen for Wilson's voice work. It’s a completely different side of his talent that many fans of his live-action work miss.
- Contextualize the Era: Understand that Wilson was part of a specific wave of Black actors in the late 80s who helped redefine how young Black men were portrayed on mainstream television.