Malcolm-Jamal Warner, famed for Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at 54 due to accidental drowning off Costa Rica's coast
Hollywood is mourning the loss of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the veteran actor and director who rose to fame as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show. Warner passed away at the age of 54 after an accidental drowning near Cocles Beach in Limón, Costa Rica, according to authorities and ABC News. The Costa Rican National Police confirmed that Warner died of asphyxia after being pulled under by a strong ocean current.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, famed for Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at 54 due to accidental drowning off Costa Rica's coast.
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The incident occurred on Sunday, and Warner’s body was later recovered and identified by national police officials. The shocking news has prompted an outpouring of tributes across the entertainment industry, recognizing his enduring contributions to television, film, and theater.
Warner’s early acclaim came from his role on the long-running NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, a performance that earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His portrayal of Theo Huxtable not only made him a household name but also laid the foundation for a dynamic career that spanned decades.
In more recent years, Warner brought intensity and depth to roles such as Dr. AJ Austin in Fox’s medical drama The Resident and appeared in the legal anthology Accused, also from Fox. Additional television credits include Ten Days in the Valley alongside Kyra Sedgwick, and his portrayal of A.C. Cowlings in FX’s American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson.
Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was named in tribute to civil rights icon Malcolm X and jazz great Ahmad Jamal. His talents extended beyond acting; he became a respected director, lending his vision to episodes of The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Sesame Street.
Beyond the screen, Warner also held a strong presence on stage, appearing in notable off-Broadway productions such as Three Ways Home, Cryin’ Shame, Freefall, and a rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at California’s La Jolla Playhouse.
His film credits include performances in Drop Zone from Paramount Pictures and Fool’s Gold, a Warner Bros. production featuring Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, and Donald Sutherland. Warner also led the BET series Reed Between the Lines with Tracee Ellis Ross and directed the public health video Timeout: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You, featuring appearances by Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall.
Over the years, Warner was frequently asked to reflect on Bill Cosby’s legacy, particularly amid the high-profile legal battles and sexual assault allegations against Cosby. In a 2015 interview with Billboard, Warner described Cosby as a personal mentor and emphasized the complexity of the situation. He acknowledged Cosby’s positive influence on his life and his groundbreaking impact on comedy, television, and Black culture, while declining to speculate on allegations he did not personally witness.
Warner’s career remained resilient and versatile, with appearances in acclaimed series like Sneaky Pete, Suits, Major Crimes, Community, Sons of Anarchy, Dexter, and The Michael J. Fox Show.
