- Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on the iconic sitcom The Cosby Show, has died at age 54.
Authorities in Costa Rica confirmed Warner died Sunday, July 20, after accidentally drowning at Playa Cocles in the Limón Province. Reports say the actor had been swimming with his family when a strong current pulled him out to sea. Bystanders helped bring him to shore, where first responders from the Costa Rican Red Cross performed life-saving measures. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials listed the cause of death as asphyxia by submersion.
Warner became a household name in the 1980s for his role on The Cosby Show, a groundbreaking sitcom that ran from 1984 to 1992 and held the No. 1 spot in ratings for five seasons between 1985 and 1990. The series broke barriers by portraying a successful Black middle-class family, a rarity on television at the time.
After the show ended, Warner continued working in television with roles in Malcolm & Eddie, guest appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Sesame Street, and most recently as Dr. AJ Austin, a cardiothoracic surgeon on The Resident.
Beyond the screen, Warner showcased his musical talents. In 2015, he won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance alongside Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway for their rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Jesus Children of America. His 2023 spoken word album, Hiding in Plain View, earned him another Grammy nomination.
In recent years, Warner launched the podcast Not All Hood, where he explored mental health issues within the Black community, continuing his mission to use his platform for meaningful conversations.
Since news of his passing broke, tributes have poured in from across Hollywood.
Viola Davis shared a heartfelt message: “Theo was OUR son, OUR brother, OUR friend… we are gutted by this loss.”
Actor Morris Chestnut, who starred with Warner on The Resident, remembered him as “a really, really good, genuine guy,” adding that Warner welcomed him warmly and even took him to dinner early in their working relationship.
Author and activist Kevin Powell told CBS News, “He was never someone who was into the celebrity of it… He literally was America’s son.”
The NAACP also honored his legacy, writing on social media: “#RestInPower… Your talent and spirit touched many lives, and your legacy will continue to inspire.”
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter. His loss is a deep blow to the Black entertainment community and to fans around the world who grew up with him on their screens.
