Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on the beloved sitcom The Cosby Show, has tragically died at the age of 54. According to local authorities, Warner drowned during a holiday in Costa Rica over the weekend.
The incident occurred around 14:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Sunday at Playa Grande in Cocles, Limón province. Authorities reported that Warner was caught in a swift ocean current while swimming and was dragged out to sea. Bystanders managed to rescue him and bring him ashore, but despite efforts by the Costa Rican Red Cross, he was declared dead at the scene.
Warner was celebrated for his role as the son of Bill Cosby’s character on the groundbreaking series, which aired from 1984 to 1992 and was a cultural phenomenon, ranking as the number one TV show for five consecutive seasons. His portrayal earned him an Emmy nomination in 1986 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Tributes poured in from the entertainment community, including Questlove, Jennifer Hudson, Taraji P. Henson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Magic Johnson, expressing their condolences and admiration for Warner’s talent and legacy.
He is survived by his wife and daughter. Reflecting on his career, Warner recalled being chosen for his breakout role by Cosby himself, stating in a 2023 interview, “I was literally the last person they saw.”
