
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 'Cosby Show' actor, dies at 54 in Costa Rica drowning
Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department said Warner drowned Sunday afternoon on a beach on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. He was swimming at Playa Cocles in Limon province when a current pulled him deeper into the ocean.
'He was rescued by people on the beach,' the department's initial report said, but first responders from Costa Rica's Red Cross found him without vital signs and he was taken to the morgue.
Warner created many TV moments etched in the memories of Generation X children and their parents, including a pilot-episode argument with Bill Cosby's Cliff Huxtable about money, and another episode where Theo tries to hide his ear piercing from his dad. His Theo was the only son among four daughters in the household of Cliff Huxtable and Phylicia Rashad's Clair Huxtable on the NBC sitcom, and he would be one of the prime representations of American teenage boyhood on a show that was the most popular in America for much of its run from 1984 to 1992.
He played the role for eight seasons, appearing in each of the show's 197 episodes and earning an Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a comedy in 1986. For many the lasting image of the character, and of Warner, is of him wearing a badly botched mock designer shirt sewed by his sister Denise, played by Lisa Bonet. The 'Gordon Gartrell' shirt later became a memeable image: Anthony Mackie wore one on 'The Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon and the profile picture on Warner's Instagram shows a toddler sporting one.
NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson was among those giving tribute Monday. Johnson said on X that he and his wife are sad to hear of the death of their friend.
'We were both super fans of the hit 'Cosby Show' and continued to follow his career on shows like 'Malcolm and Eddie' and 'The Resident,'' Johnson said. 'Every time I ran into Malcolm, we would have deep and fun conversations about basketball, life, and business. He will truly be missed.'
Like the rest of the 'Cosby Show' cast, Warner had to contend with the sexual assault allegations against its titular star, whose conviction in a Pennsylvania court was later overturned.
Warner told The Associated Press in 2015 that the show's legacy was 'tarnished.'
'My biggest concern is when it comes to images of people of color on television and film,' Warner said. 'We've always had 'The Cosby Show' to hold up against that. And the fact that we no longer have that, that's the thing that saddens me the most because in a few generations the Huxtables will have been just a fairy tale.'
Warner worked steadily as an actor for more than 40 years. His first major post-"Cosby' role came on the sitcom 'Malcolm & Eddie,' co-starring with comedian Eddie Griffin in the popular series on the defunct UPN network from 1996 to 2000.
'My heart is heavy right now,' Griffin said on Instagram Monday. 'Rest easy my brother for you have Won in life and now you have won forever eternal bliss..'
In the 2010s, he starred opposite Tracee Ellis Ross as a family-blending couple for two seasons on the BET sitcom 'Read Between The Lines.' He also had a role as O.J. Simpson's friend Al Cowlings on 'American Crime Story' and was a series regular on Fox's 'The Resident.'
'First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband,' Ross said on Instagram. 'My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant.'
Warner's film roles included the 2008 rom-com 'Fool's Gold' with Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. A poet and a musician, Warner was a Grammy winner, for best traditional R&B performance, and was nominated for best spoken word poetry album for 'Hiding in Plain View.'
Warner also worked as a director, helming episodes of 'Malcolm & Eddie,' 'Read Between the Lines,' 'Kenan & Kel,' and 'All That.'
Warner was born in 1970 in Jersey City, New Jersey. His mother, Pamela Warner, reportedly named him after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. She served as his manager when he began pursuing acting at age 9.
In the early 1980s, he made guest appearances on the TV shows 'Matt Houston' — his first credit — and 'Fame.'
Warner was 13 when he landed the role of Theo in an audition after a broad search for the right child actor.
Cosby was a major star at the time, and the show was certain to be widely seen, but few could've predicted the huge, yearslong phenomenon it would become.
He was married with a young daughter, but chose to not publicly disclose their names. Warner's representatives declined immediate comment on his death.
His final credits came in TV guest roles, including appearances on 'The Wonder Years,' 'Grown-ish,' and '9-1-1,' where he had a four-episode arc last year.
'I grew up with a maniacal obsession with not wanting to be one of those 'where are they now kids,'' Warner told the AP in 2015. 'I feel very blessed to be able to have all of these avenues of expression ... to be where I am now and finally at a place where I can let go of that worry about having a life after 'Cosby.''
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New York Post
25 minutes ago
- New York Post
Pope Leo XIV receives a rock star's welcome at Catholic influencer festival
Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday received a rock star's welcome at the Vatican's festival of Catholic influencers — priests, nuns and ordinary faithful who use their social media presence to preach and teach the faith — as he urged them to ensure that human relations don't suffer with the spread of digital ecosystems and artificial intelligence. History's first American pope was mobbed by hundreds of influencers, their cellphones hoisted high to stream the encounter, when he arrived in St. Peter's Basilica after a special Mass. The pilgrims have descended on Rome for a special Holy Year celebration of so-called 'digital missionaries,' part of the Vatican's weeklong Jubilee for young people that culminates this weekend with a vigil and Mass in a vast field on Rome's outskirts. 6 History's first American pope was mobbed by hundreds of influencers, their cellphones hoisted high to stream the encounter. AP Leo thanked the young people for using their digital platforms to spread the faith, and he gamely posed for selfies. But he warned them about neglecting human relationships in their pursuit of clicks and followers, and cautioned them to not fall prey to fake news and the 'frivolity' of online encounters. 'It is not simply a matter of generating content, but of creating an encounter between hearts,' Leo said in a speech that showed his ease switching from Italian to Spanish to English. 'Be agents of communion, capable of breaking down the logic of division and polarization, of individualism and egocentrism.' 'It is up to us – to each one of you – to ensure that this culture remains human,' he said. 'Our mission – your mission – is to nurture a culture of Christian humanism, and to do so together' in what he called the only networks that really matter: of friendship, love and the 'network of God.' Warnings against going off-message 6 The pilgrims have descended on Rome for a special Holy Year celebration of so-called 'digital missionaries.' REUTERS For the past two days, the Vatican's message to the young influencers has been one of thanks for their social media evangelizing, but also a warning to not allow their posting to go off-message or to neglect the human dimension of all encounters. For Leo, the issue is particularly heartfelt since he has said that addressing the threat to humanity posed by AI will be a priority of his pontificate. 6 Leo thanked the young people for using their digital platforms to spread the faith, and he gamely posed for selfies. IPA / The Rev. David McCallum, an American Jesuit who heads a leadership development program and spoke to the influencers at a conference Monday, held periodic breaks in his presentation with instructions for those in the audience to actually speak with the person next to them, for up to 10 minutes at a time. Cardinal Antonio Tagle, the head of the Vatican's evangelization office, urged the influencers to avoid anything that smacks of false advertising, coercion or brainwashing in their posting, or to use their platform to make money. He noted that he himself had been a victim of a fake video advertising arthritis medicine. 'Brothers and sisters, be discerning,' Tagle told the influencers in his homily at Tuesday's Mass. A mini World Youth Day in Rome 6 The pope warned them about neglecting human relationships in their pursuit of clicks and followers, and cautioned them to not fall prey to fake news. AP Tuesday began with groups of influencers and young pilgrims passing through the basilica's Holy Door, a rite of passage for the estimated 32 million people participating in the Vatican's 2025 Holy Year celebrations. This week, downtown Rome swarmed with energetic, singing and dancing masses of teenage Catholic scouts, church and Catholic school groups. It all had the vibe of a scaled-down World Youth Day, the once-every-three-year Catholic Woodstock festival that was inaugurated by St. John Paul II. 6 For Leo, the issue is particularly heartfelt since he has said that addressing the threat to humanity posed by AI will be a priority of his pontificate. AP The most recent one in Lisbon, Portugal, went viral thanks to the Rev. Guilherme Peixoto, a village priest in northern Portugal who also happens to be a DJ. He's in Rome this week, though it's not clear if he will reprise his now-famous set that woke young people up before Pope Francis' final Mass in Lisbon. In it, as he jammed to house music behind his console in full clerical collar, Peixoto spliced into the set both St. John Paul II's exhortation to young people to 'be not afraid' and Francis' insistence in Lisbon that the church had room for everyone, 'todos, todos, todos.' 6 This week, downtown Rome swarmed with energetic, singing and dancing masses of teenage Catholic scouts, church and Catholic school groups. AP That mantra has become something of the refrain for this year's youth Jubilee, with #todostodostodos being used across platforms by pilgrims posting about their time in Rome. Pablo Licheri, who founded the Catholic Mass Times app, which provides locations and times for Catholic liturgies around the world and has registered 2 million downloads, said he has been heartened by both Leo's message of unity and the enthusiasm of social media-savvy Catholics like him. 'I was especially moved to meet so many fellow Catholic influencers in person and to pray together with others who share the same passion for spreading the joy of God's love,' he said after Tuesday's Mass.


Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Luigi Mangione Musical Could Be Heading to New York
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Luigi: The Musical, the fringe production about the alleged killer Luigi Mangione, is fresh off a series of sold-out shows in San Francisco. Now, the show's creators are reportedly eyeing up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August as well as possible future productions in Los Angeles and New York, where the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson took place in December. Newsweek has reached out to Luigi: The Musical via email for comment. Why It Matters Mangione, 27, is accused of shooting Thompson outside of a hotel in Manhattan in December 2024. He is charged with 11 counts, including first-degree murder "in furtherance of an act of terrorism," two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of stalking and a firearms offense. Federal prosecutors have announced their intent to seek the death penalty in Mangione's case. He has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges as well as terrorism charges. Mangione has become the subject of intense public fascination online, with social media users treating the 27-year-old as everything from a sex symbol to a folk hero. The case reignited a discourse about American health care, and Mangione has received a significant amount of support. Protesters holding photos of Luigi Mangione chant and blow whistles as New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference at City Hall on June 26, 2025. Protesters holding photos of Luigi Mangione chant and blow whistles as New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference at City Hall on June 26, 2025. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images What To Know Luigi: The Musical is a surreal prison satire that follows in the footsteps of musicals like Chicago and Sweeney Todd. The musical was created by songwriter Arielle Johnson and director Nova Bradford and features original music from Johnson and Bradford, performed by pianist Dani Macri, who also serves as associate musical director. The synopsis for the musical reads, "Our characters reflect three institutions of modern disillusionment: healthcare, tech, and Hollywood. Each represents a pillar of American life where public trust has eroded and where people increasingly feel betrayed, exploited, or abandoned." Mangione's two real-life inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), Sean Diddy Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried, both appear as characters in the musical. Fried is the embattled co-founder of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence. Combs was found guilty in his sex trafficking child of transportation to engage in prostitution in his sex trafficking trial, but not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. He remains detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn. The show stars Jonny Stein as Luigi, André Margatini as SBF, Janée Lucas as Diddy, and Calab Zeingue as Guard (Sgt. Delarosa). Bradford told The Hollywood Reporter, "There is this interesting thing that these three men represent three pillars of society that people have lost a lot of trust in recent years, including health care, Hollywood and the whole tech/VC/finance ecosystem." The Hollywood Reporter reported that the creators are looking at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, New York and Los Angeles for future possible productions. It's not clear where the Mangione musical would be staged if it were to go to New York for a future production, but if it were to be held in the Theatre District, that would mean it would be mere blocks away from where Thompson was killed. The musical was met with criticism and controversy when it was announced. It is described as a "comedy," in a synopsis on its website, which also notes that the show "doesn't glorify violence." The show was first set for a handful of shows at a 49-seat San Francisco theatre, but after selling out that run, production moved to The Independent, a 350-person theatre. What People Are Saying A statement on the Luigi: The Musical website: "Luigi: the Musical doesn't glorify violence, it interrogates it. Beneath the absurdity and punchlines lies a serious critique of how violence is packaged, sold, and consumed in American media. The show takes aim at a culture where brutality is both entertainment and spectacle, inviting audiences to laugh while also asking why we're so quick to tune in when someone gets hurt. "But it goes further, examining how violence is not just the act of individuals, but of elite institutions—like healthcare, Hollywood, and tech—through their neglect, indifference, and lack of accountability. Through sharp satire and irreverent humor, Luigi: the Musical uses comedy as a tool to expose just how normalized, and profitable, violence has become, challenging viewers to reckon with their own responses along the way." What Happens Next Further dates of the play and where it may be staged remain to be seen.


Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
The 8 Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies Under $100 In 2025—Ranked By Experts
The eight finalists for the Best Single Malt Scotch under $100 category at the SFWSC. Sophia Lindenberger In a whisky world increasingly dominated by eye-popping price tags and flashy packaging, it's easy to forget that what really matters is the liquid in the bottle. Thankfully, the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) reminded us that you don't need to drop $300, or even $100, to score a fantastic bottle of premium whisky. Among the most exciting categories at this year's judging was the Best Single Malt Scotch Under $100. The eight finalists not only earned Double Gold medals, but also delivered exceptional quality at prices that are, frankly, a steal in today's inflated market. All these beauties offer deeply complex whiskies that highlight the distilling excellence of Scotland. From coastal peat monsters to rich sherry bombs to oak-kissed Highland elegance, each of these bottles offers something unique, and if you love a fantastic whisky that won't break your wallet, look no further. Region: Speyside | Price: $45 | Score: 98 pts Smooth, balanced, and endlessly drinkable, The Singleton 12 Year Old is the kind of whisky that reminds you why Speyside remains the heartbeat of Scotch. Distilled at the Dufftown distillery, it is matured in American and European oak, and it offers notes of baked apple, honeycomb, vanilla, and a touch of spice. There's no smoke here, no fireworks, just a clean, refined single malt that punches way above its price. This is a whisky that is perfect for both single malt novices and more experienced connoisseurs who are looking for an everyday sipper. At only $45, it's one of the best values in all of Scotch. The Glendronach Forgue 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Region: Highlands | Price: $60 | Score: 98 pts If you're a fan of sherry-matured malts, the Glendronach Forgue is a no-brainer. Rich and full-bodied, it offers a mélange of dried fruits, chocolate, orange peel, and baking spices. Since its founding in 1826, The Glendronach has focused on maturing its whiskies in sherry casks, and it has earned a legion of followers since. The Forgue 10 Year Old keeps the tradition alive with depth, character, and a silky finish that lingers far longer than its price suggests. Made exclusively for the brand's Travel Exclusive program, this whisky can only be found in duty-free stores in airports around the globe. Hence, it's excellent price. Grab one the next time you are jetting off, you won't be disappointed. Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Region: Highlands | Price: $47 | Score: 98 pts Peat lovers, take note: this isn't your typical Islay smoke bomb. Inchmoan delivers a more restrained, herbal style of smoke, reminiscent of a smoldering campfire with hints of peat, backed by roasted coffee, vanilla, and clove. It's complex, surprising, and proof that peated Highland malts deserve a lot more attention. At under $50, this might be the most overlooked gem on the list. If you enjoy smoky whisky with nuance, you won't regret tracking this down. Highland Park 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Region: Orkney | Price: $59 | Score: 98 pts If you are a scotch lover, you are sure to have heard of Highland Park for good reason. For over 225 years, Highland Park has been crafting superb single-malt scotches that embrace the subtle smoky flavors of Orkney heathered peat. Their flagship 12-year-old is a masterclass in balance: gentle heather smoke, sweet malt, honey, and subtle sherry notes. It's elegant, approachable, and has enough complexity to keep seasoned drinkers engaged. For under $60, it's hard to find a more complete single malt. This is the kind of bottle that belongs in every whisky drinker's rotation. Alexander Murray & Co. Highland 14 Year Old Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Region: Highlands | Price: $70 | Score: 99 pts Founded twenty-one years ago, Alexander Murray & Co. specializes in independent bottling of select scotches. That means that they purchase casks of matured whisky directly from distillers and blend their whiskies. This approach allows them the leeway to move from different styles to produce exceptional bottlings. Aged 14 years, this Highland single malt had a second maturation in first-fill ex-sherry casks, creating a whisky brimming with dark fruit, leather, oak spice, and a velvety mouthfeel that screams luxury. At $70, it's pushing the top of the category, but the liquid more than justifies the price. This is premium scotch at a workingman's rate. Glengoyne White Oak Highland Single Malt Scotch Region: Highlands | Price: $60 | Score: 98 pts Since its founding in 1833, Glengoyne has prided itself on taking its time when distilling its scotches and never cutting corners. Their whiskies undergo the longest distillation of any Scottish whisky, creating a liquid famous for its sweet and fruity flavors. As a brand new expression for the venerable distillery, Glengoyne White Oak is matured exclusively in lightly charred First Fill Bourbon and Virgin White Oak casks. A non-age-stated release, it is a nonpeated whisky that is bright and clean. If you like your whisky elegant, balanced, and refreshingly straightforward, this one's for you. It's proof that great wood can do as much for a whisky as age or smoke. Glenglassaugh Portsoy Single Malt Scotch Region: Highlands | Price: $60 | Score: 99 pts Glenglassaugh may not be a household name, but Portsoy could change that. A coastal, heavily sherried malt with a smoky backbone, it combines all the classic flavors of an old school single malt with a modern sensibility. That's because the distillery was relaunched in 2023 after being dormant for over a decade. As one of the core offerings, Portsoy is aged in sherry, bourbon, and port casks to create a rich, full-bodied whisky. Tastes of dark chocolate, treacle, soy, and a salty tang that keeps your palate guessing with each sip. This is a whisky that feels wild and untamed—in the best way possible. For $60, it's one of the most characterful and exciting single malts you'll find anywhere. Loch Lomond Remarkable Alchemy Region: Highlands | Price: $55 | Score: 99 pts Obviously, the team at Loch Lomond is a friend of the working man since two of their whiskies made the finalist list at the SFWSC. This aptly named expression lives up to its billing. Crafted with Loch Lomond's experimental stills and matured in Colombian oak, it delivers waves of orchard fruit, spice, smoke, and toasted sugar. It's different. It's bold. And it's flat-out delicious. Made for its Global Travel program, this bottle is only available in select duty-free locations worldwide. At $55, this is boundary-pushing whisky for the curious drinker who wants something beyond the usual suspects. If you see a bottle on your next layover, snatch it up. The Bottom Line In a marketplace full of overpriced limited editions and collector's bait, these eight single malts remind us what whisky is about: craftsmanship, balance, and flavor. Each of these finalists earned its place on this list through merit, not marketing, and each delivers a drinking experience that far exceeds its price tag. So next time you're scanning the whisky aisle or scrolling online, skip the hype. Reach for one of these bottles. Your wallet and your taste buds will thank you. Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine, and spirits industry. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Goose Island's 2025 Bourbon County Stout Lineup Focuses On The Tasting Experience By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes Tequila Vs Mezcal: A Guide To When And How To Drink Each By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes These Are The Best Bourbons Of 2025 (So Far), According To Spirits Competitions By Hudson Lindenberger