Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies At 54: ‘Cosby Show' Star And Grammy Winner Remembered
Emmy-nominated actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, dies at 54 after drowning in Costa Rica.
Emmy-nominated actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his portrayal of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54. The actor tragically drowned while swimming at Playa Cocles on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, as confirmed by the country's Judicial Investigation Department. Warner, who was on vacation with his family, was pulled into deeper waters by a current. First responders found him unresponsive.
Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was just a teenager when he became a household name on The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992. His performance as the charming and relatable Theo earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1986. Decades later, he remained proud of his time on the show, once saying, 'We were still on top enough to go out on top, but we were ready to live our own lives."
Warner was candid in later years about the impact of misconduct allegations against Bill Cosby, expressing that it saddened him how the show's legacy had been affected. 'In a few generations, the Huxtables will have been just a fairy tale," he said in 2015.
But Warner's life and career extended far beyond the Huxtable living room. He starred in Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), a successful sitcom with Eddie Griffin, where he also directed 17 episodes. He went on to appear in acclaimed shows like Sons of Anarchy, Suits, The Resident, and Grownish. His role as Dr. A.J. Austin in The Resident further cemented his range as a dramatic actor.
Warner was also a celebrated musician and spoken word artist. He won a Grammy in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for 'Jesus Children" and was nominated in 2023 for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. In recent years, he continued to evolve his voice through music and activism.
In 2023, he launched his podcast Not All Hood, aimed at exploring the many dimensions of Black identity. 'There are so many different facets of the Black community," he said, 'and we wanted to have a space to acknowledge all those aspects."
Warner is survived by his family, including his young daughter, whom he called his greatest inspiration. 'Being a new parent… it's really awesome," he told CNN in 2017.
First Published:
July 22, 2025, 03:35 IST
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