Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, died at age 54 after drowning in Costa Rica, according to reports stating that bystanders rescued him from the water. Warner was a prominent figure in American television, with a decades-long career as an actor, director, and musician.
Here’s what we know so far about Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s drowning incident.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner cause of death explained
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, died at age 54 in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica, authorities confirmed, per BBC. He was on a family vacation at Playa Cocles in Limón province on Sunday, July 20, when a strong current pulled him into the sea.
Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department reported that bystanders rescued Warner and brought him to shore. Paramedics from the Costa Rican Red Cross performed CPR for over 20 minutes but could not revive him and declared him dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed asphyxiation by submersion as the cause of death. Warner’s representatives have declined to comment. He leaves behind his wife and daughter, whose identities he chose to keep private.
Warner portrayed Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992, appearing in all 197 episodes. He earned an Emmy nomination in 1986, and Bill Cosby personally cast him on the final day of auditions. The sitcom led U.S. TV ratings for five consecutive seasons. Warner later described the show’s legacy as “tarnished” by the allegations against Cosby.
His television career included starring roles in Malcolm & Eddie, Reed Between the Lines, and The Resident. He also portrayed Al Cowlings in American Crime Story and made guest appearances on shows like 9-1-1. Warner directed episodes across multiple series.
In 2015, Warner won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance and earned another nomination in 2023 for his spoken word album Hiding in Plain View. He co-hosted the podcast Not All Hood, launched in May 2024, which focused on mental health and complexity within the Black community.
Tributes were posted by Magic Johnson, Taraji P. Henson, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Niecy Nash. “You were cornerstone of The Cosby Show,” Nash wrote. “You will be missed.”
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on ComingSoon.net.
