Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on the iconic sitcom The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54, Costa Rican authorities confirmed Monday.
Warner drowned Sunday off the coast of Cocles Beach in Limón province, according to Costa Rica’s National Police. Officials said he was caught in a strong current, and his cause of death was determined to be asphyxia by drowning.
The beloved actor was formally identified by Costa Rican police. His body was discovered Sunday afternoon.
Warner rose to fame as the wisecracking youngest son in The Cosby Show, which aired from 1985 to 1992 and became one of the most influential TV sitcoms of its time. He received an Emmy nomination in 1986 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on the show.
Beyond his breakout role, Warner enjoyed a successful television career. He starred opposite Eddie Griffin in the UPN series Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), played Dr. Alex Reed in BET’s Reed Between the Lines, and more recently portrayed Dr. AJ Austin on Fox’s The Resident for five seasons.
Born on August 18, 1970, Warner began acting as a child and attended The Professional Children’s School in New York City. He made his television debut in 1982 on Matt Houston and appeared the following year in Fame. In 1984, he landed the role that would define his early career on The Cosby Show, joining co-stars Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, and Lisa Bonet.
In a 2023 appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, Warner reflected on how he got the part. “They were originally looking for a 6-foot-2-inch 16-year-old,” he recalled, referencing a running joke about Cosby’s real-life son. Warner was ultimately cast after auditioning as the final candidate for the role.
Throughout his career, Warner earned praise for his performances and his dedication to portraying intelligent, grounded Black characters on screen.
Tributes have begun pouring in from fans and colleagues across the entertainment industry, remembering Warner not only for his talent but also for the cultural impact of his work over four decades.
