'The Cosby Show' actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner's cause of death released by police
Malcolm-Jamal Warner's cause of death has been released by police.
The actor, who is best known for his role as Theo Huxtable in the hit TV sitcom "The Cosby Show," died on Sunday off the coast of Costa Rica after a drowning, Costa Rican National Police told ABC News. He was 54.
Police told ABC News on Tuesday that an autopsy on Warner has been completed. The Forensic Pathology Department said that the autopsy confirmed that Warner's death, which was described as asphyxiation by submersion, was accidental.
Warner's body arrived in San Joaquin de Flores on Monday at 4:30 p.m. local time. An autopsy was performed and completed on Tuesday.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, former 'Cosby Show' star, dead at 54- PHOTO: Malcolm-Jamal Warner speaks during the 65th GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on Feb. 5, 2023 in Los Angeles.
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New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Malcolm-Jamal Warner ‘could've made a lot of money' if not for Bill Cosby's scandals
Malcolm-Jamal Warner was everyone's favorite little brother as Theo Huxtable in the '80s mega-hit 'The Cosby Show.' But the star — who died tragically Monday after getting caught up in an ocean current while swimming in Costa Rica — had embarked on a life far removed from Hollywood, in Atlanta, Georgia, with wife Tenisha and their 8-year-old daughter. 'I think he decided to come to Atlanta just because it felt a bit more grounded. It felt more like a home to him,' Dashiell Smith, one of the actor's best friends and bandmates, told The Post. 11 Malcolm-Jamal Warner, his wife Tenisha and their daughter. malcolmjamalwar/Instagram Warner, 54, moved to Atlanta for his multi-season run on the Fox show 'The Resident,' playing fan favorite Dr. AJ 'The Raptor' Austin. He bought a $1.3 million, five-bedroom house in the suburb of Decatur, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2023 that, 'Music and my wife and daughter keep me from losing my s–t.' Industry sources told The Post Warner had likely amassed a fortune of around $6 million. He was just 13 when he joined the 'The Cosby Show,' playing Theo Huxtable for eight seasons. It was TV's No. 1 show between 1985 and 1990. 11 Warner holds his daughter as a baby in a throwback photo. malcolmjamalwar/Instagram 11 'Music and my wife and daughter keep me from losing my s–t,' Warner said of his family. malcolmjamalwar/Instagram Stations paid a record-breaking $600 million for the rights to air reruns beginning in 1988 — a deal that generated more than $1.5 billion over two decades, according to Forbes in 2017. But in 2014, most platforms pulled the series as a backlash grew against star and creator Bill Cosby, who was facing renewed allegations of sexual misconduct. (More than 60 women accused Cosby of crimes, including rape and drug-facilitated sexual assault. He served nearly three years in jail for drugging and violating Temple University sports administrator Andrea Constand in 2004 and was released when the sentence was overturned in June 2021.) 11 Warner found fame at age 13 with 'The Cosby Show,' which became one of the biggest TV series in America. Everett Collection Warner admitted in 2023 that he and his former co-stars could be 'making a killing' had the show not been yanked — even imagining a possible reboot: 'We could have made a lot of money. 'Fuller House,' they're doing their thing.'The Conners,' man, we'd be making a killing right now.' Asked by interviewer Jemele Hill if he was 'resentful' because 'one person impacted you guys' lives and the way this show was seen,' Warner responded, 'No. Not resentment … I get how this business works, for one. And just that whole situation is so layered, man.' 'I can't defend him or his actions at all. But I also can't throw him under the bus completely … ' Warner added of Cosby. 'There is the piece of the financial hit that we all took but also it hasn't really affected my career.' 11 Warner paid $1.3 million for his home outside Atlanta, GA. Google Maps 11 Waner was in the band band Biological Misfits. Next Level Events/ Instagram Warner also revealed that he and his team had worked to set up his career 'so my life would not have to be dependent upon that show or dependent upon Theo.' Instead, the actor went on to appear in other projects, including the UPN sitcom 'Malcolm & Eddie' from 1996 to 2000, and had recurring roles in 'Suits,' 'Community' and other shows. He also played Warner portrayed Al Cowlings in 2016's 'American Crime Story: The People v O.J. Simpson.' In Atlanta, Warner played bass in the Biological Misfits jazz band alongside Smith. 'He loved to learn. He never thought that he was too big to grow … he was always one to immerse himself into his passions,' said Smith. 11 Waner (right) with one of his best friends and bandmates, Dashill Smith, who said he is 'devastated' by his death. Malcolm Jamal Warner / Instagram Warner was a 'warm, genuine, loving father and a great friend,' Smith added. 'He was very protective of his family. We formed a fantastic brotherhood and that will just be a memory I will always cherish … As you can imagine, I'm not doing so good. It's devastating.' Music promoter J. Scott Fugate recalled how Warner's family would attend the Biological Misfits' gigs, and the band performed at a coffee bar in Grant Park last month. 'I can't tell you how much he loved his little girl — and she loved him so much,' Fugate said, 'She was so full of joy watching him play, and she would dance. I've been thinking about her a lot and hoping she wasn't on the beach where this all happened.' 11 Warner was extremely close to his mom, Pam Warner. Getty Images In one of his last videos posted to social media before his death, Warner was seen wearing a flower in his hair — placed there by his daughter to celebrate her birthday. 'Just wanted to remind you, as I remind myself, that no matter what's going on there's always a reason to smile, if you just take a minute to stop and take stock, I guarantee you can find at least one reason to smile, and if for some reason you can't find a reason to smile, then that's probably the best time to be the reason for somebody else to smile,' he posted. Warner had 'no ego and never acted like a star,' said Fugate. 'He was just another musician around town. 11 Warner said he and his 'The Cosy Show' cast mates lost out on making more money after the show was pulled out of syndication following sex allegations against Bill Cosby. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 'He told me he was thankful he couldn't sing — because he knew that if he had sung as a kid and become a teen idol, now he'd be just another washed-up child star.' Warner said he met his wife through mutual friends when he was 45, and opened up about their relationship during a May 2025 appearance on the 'Hot & Bothered' podcast. 'You don't have to be in your 20s looking for your soulmate,' he said. 11 Warner with his daughter, now 8. malcolmjamalwar/Instagram Speaking of his marriage, Warner said he 'never second-guessed it.' 'We've been together almost 10 years and we have never had a fight, an argument, a raised voice or a harsh word said to one another … And it's not like we agree on everything,' he said. 'I think because we met later in life, we've just always been at a point where we have a way of communicating like adults.' 11 Warner, wearing a flower from his daughter behind his ear. malcolmjamalwar/Instagram Warner was also incredibly close to his mom, Pam Warner, His cousin Zsaneika Bass posted on Facebook that she was sure the actor is now with his late grandma Mary, adding: 'Losing our cousin Malcolm-Jamal Warner has not only shaken our family, it's touched a nation … 'Without my cousin Pam Warner, the Original Momager, there would be no Malcolm. PERIOD! She didn't just raise a son, she nurtured a LEGACY.'
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Malcolm-Jamal Warner turned ‘Cosby Show' fame into a lasting Hollywood career: Inside his life
Malcolm-Jamal Warner may have been known for his role as Theo Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," but his career didn't stop there. On July 20, Warner died at the age of 54 while on a family vacation in Costa Rica. Warner had been swimming on Sunday afternoon at Playa Grande de Cocles in Limon province when a current pulled him into deeper waters, Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department stated. "He was rescued by people on the beach," an initial report stated, but first responders could not revive the actor. Warner gained fame as the son of Cliff Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby, on "The Cosby Show" from 1984 to 1992. He appeared in all 197 episodes of the NBC sitcom. In 1986, Warner earned an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a comedy. "Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I'm still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on – first and foremost, Black culture – but also American culture." The show's legacy was tarnished after Cosby was accused of sexual assault. Cosby's 2018 conviction was overturned in 2021. Since then, five more women have come forward with accusations against the comedian. Despite the controversy, Warner was still proud of the show. "Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I'm still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on – first and foremost, Black culture – but also American culture," Warner told People magazine in 2023. Following his "Cosby" fame, Warner continued on with his acting career. He starred in the sitcom, "Malcom & Eddie," and took on roles in "Alert: Missing Persons Unit," "Reed Between the Lines," "Community," "Key & Peele," and "The Resident." Warner also landed roles in movies, including "Fool's Gold," "Shot," "Tyson" and "Drop Zone." According to IMDb, Warner had 14 director roles, including "The Resident," "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," and even some episodes of "The Cosby Show." Prior to his death, Warner was able to live a semi-private life in Atlanta, Georgia. A source spoke to People after his death and explained that Warner had moved down to Georgia to focus on his jazz band, the Biological Misfits. "He played the bass and had his jazz band down in Atlanta, a very avant garde jazz band. And of course he did his spoken word. He was very creative," the source told the outlet. Warner won a Grammy Award in 2015 for his work with the hip-hop trio, Robert Glasper Experiment. Additionally, Warner was nominated for another Grammy Award in 2023 for his spoken word poetry album, "Hiding In Plain View." Warner was also the host of the "Not All Hood" podcast with Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley. According to the podcast's website, "Not All Hood" takes "a provocative look at the vastly different lived experiences and identities of Blacks in America." Warner was married, but kept the identity of his wife private. He also had a daughter, but never shared her name or birthdate. In 2019, Warner uploaded photos to Instagram and explained why he chose not to share pictures of his daughter's face. "Thank you for sharing in my joy as a father even though I don't post her face. She has the rest of her life for that life. Right now I just want her to BE," he captioned the post in part. In 2021, Warner shared images of himself on Instagram, decorating a cake for his wife, with the help of his three-year-old daughter, who he called a "mini us." In May, Warner was a guest on the "Hot & Bothered" podcast where he spoke about how his wife and daughter are the "best parts" of his life. "Obviously I don't post them. I don't, you know, I talk about them, because they are obviously the hugest parts of my life, the best parts of my life, best decisions I've ever made, but I like to keep them and their identity private. "But I love talking about them because I want people to know that it is possible to be happy and to have love and love really be enriching," Warner said.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
The View Remembers Malcolm-Jamal Warner
The View Remembers Malcolm-Jamal Warner originally appeared on Daytime Confidential. On Tuesday's episode of The View, the co-hosts paid tribute to actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Warner best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on the hit 80s and 90s NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, died in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica over the weekend while on vacation with his family. He was 54. Whoopi Goldberg said about Warner's passing: He was really a great kid. I knew him well, I mean, it just…You know, the person who [broke the news to her] sent me a note that said, this is why what you did on Friday matters, and that is something that I will impart to you all. Because our lives move so quickly and we can disappear at any second, do not let much time pass before you say to your loved ones, hey, I'm thinking of you or hey, how you doing? Make sure you contact somebody today and reach out. Co-host revealed she knew The Resident star due to previously dating his friend, stated how down to earth he was. According to Hostin: I knew him also – I dated his friend – and he was always so nice to me. He didn't behave the way I thought movie stars or television stars would behave. He was very welcoming to this kind of outsider. Hostin went on to explain how important Warner was in pop culture especially in the Black community and how he and the show represented a positive representation of the Black family. Hostin stated: I think [Warner's death] was so shocking because of the place that he had in pop culture for African Americans. I remember growing up and watching this family as a kid from the South Bronx projects, watching a Black doctor and Black lawyer married to each other living in a beautiful Brooklyn townhouse. And for me, it became something that was a possibility. That depiction, I think, was an overdue corrective against these harmful stereotypes of the Black community that existed for so very long, and he was just such a crucial part of it, especially I think for young Black men. Watch the segment below. This story was originally reported by Daytime Confidential on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
