'Cosby Show' star Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies at 54 in drowning tragedy
Costa Rica's National Police confirmed that Warner died on Sunday near Cocles Beach in the province of Limón. Authorities said he was caught in a strong ocean current and succumbed to asphyxia due to drowning.
His body was recovered that afternoon and formally identified by local officials.
Warner had been vacationing with his daughter at the time of the incident, according to sources who spoke to TMZ. His family has not issued a public statement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
From rock legends to royal losses: this week in fame had it all
Ozzy Osbourne speaks onstage during the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Image:for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame/AFP From the tragic loss of music and television icons to surprise pregnancy reveals and a royal heartbreak, the world of fame served a full plate of drama, nostalgia and a few unexpected plot twists. Here's what happened this week in the entertainment scene: 1. Rock royalty bows out: Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76 The entertainment world is mourning the loss of heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne, who died this week at the age of 76. The iconic Black Sabbath frontman had long struggled with health issues, including Parkinson's disease, but he remained active in the music world until recently. Surrounded by family, the music icon passed away peacefully just weeks after his emotional final performance in Birmingham. Known for his gritty voice, chaotic stage antics and larger-than-life personality, Osbourne helped shape an entire genre. 2. Hollywood mourns the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died in a tragic drowning A wave of shock rippled across Hollywood following the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who was best known for playing Theo on "The Cosby Show". The actor drowned while on vacation with his daughter in Costa Rica, at just 54 years old. Warner, who grew from a child star to a respected actor and musician, won awards for his contributions to television's golden era of sitcoms as well as his music. Tributes from fans and former co-stars, including Bill Cosby, poured in. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ US actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died. Image: Robyn Beck/ AFP 3. Royal tragedy: Prince William and Harry's cousin found dead In yet another sombre moment for Britain's royal family, a distant cousin of Princes William and Harry, Rosie Roche, was found dead in Wiltshire under undisclosed circumstances. The 20-year-old granddaughter of Princess Diana's uncle tragically passed away just before her planned vacation with friends. Roche's discovery, according to online reports, was a family affair, credited to her mother, Phillipa Roche, and her sister, Agatha Roche. Princes William and Harry recently lost their distant cousin, Rosie Roche. Image: Instagram. 4. Trompies is cooking up a kwaito comeback Trompies, one of South Africa's most iconic kwaito groups, have announced they're back in the studio working on a new EP, with a release date not announced yet. But fans who grew up dancing to songs like 'Madibuseng' and 'Sweety Lavo' are already hyped for the return of a sound that never truly left the streets. Trompies are back in the studio, cooking up a brand new EP. Image: File image 5. Kelly Khumalo's concert security sparks questions Attendees at Kelly Khumalo's recent concert were taken aback by the heightened security measures. The singer has been under renewed scrutiny following allegations from a former advocate in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. With public suspicion continuing to swirl, the extra layers of security have only fueled speculation. The singer came out to defend herself in response to all the claims made about her in an Instagram video, citing that she's not intimidated by anyone and challenged those who think she's guilty to take action against her or 'back off'. Amid ongoing allegations in the Senzo Meyiwa case, Kelly Khumalo's heightened security at Dundee July raises eyebrows and concerns among fans. Image: Instagram 6. Wedding bells for Charli XCX British pop provocateur Charli XCX tied the knot with George Daniel of The 1975 in an intimate ceremony this past weekend in London. The 32-year-old pop singer walked down the aisle in a stunning Vivienne Westwood Nova Cora mini gown designed with a ruched skirt which featured an off-the-shoulder design. Charli XCX and George Daniel tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in London. Image: Instagram 7. Nonku Williams responds to Jojo Robinson's emotional post Drama from "The Real Housewives of Durban" spilled over into the headlines again, with Nonku Williams breaking her silence on her reportedly crumbling friendship with on and off screen bestie Jojo Robinson. In a social media post, the reality star highlighted that every friendship has its seasons, lessons and growing pains, and that she hopes to move forward with Robinson in a place of mutual understanding and respect. Nonku Williams responds to Jojo Robinson's emotional letter, aiming to mend their friendship after a turbulent season on 'The Real Housewives of Durban'. Image: Instagram 8. Triple threat: Rouge, Nadia Nakai and Moozlie drop all-female banger Rouge, Nadia Nakai, and Moozlie teamed up to deliver a powerhouse collaboration, serving bars, fashion and fierce visuals. The track touches on empowerment, hustle and setting the record straight without missing a beat. For the first time, these three rap titans come together on a song that embodies their collective strength. Image: Supplied 9. Baby joy for Naked DJ and Kayleigh Schwark Congratulations are in order for "Young, Famous & African" stars Naked DJ and Kayleigh Schwark, who announced they are expecting their first child together. The couple, who featured on the Netflix reality show, excitedly announced the joyful news in a joint Instagram post as they revealed the growing baby bump. Reality TV stars Naked DJ and Kayleigh Schwark are expecting their first child together. Image: StillsByTom 10. The next generation shines bright All eyes are on The Power of Young Hollywood honourees as rising stars like Tyla, Finn Wolfhard, and Sam Nivola are set to be celebrated for their talents on August 7. The annual 'Power of Young Hollywood' night of celebration recognises the most promising, influential and upcoming young stars. This year's honourees include singer Tyla, Wolfhard and Nivola. These talented creatives have each made significant moves in their respective fields, captivating audiences and leaving a lasting impact on pop culture. Courtesy of Sandisk, the 'Power of Young Hollywood' party aims to shine a spotlight on the brightest stars in the industry, highlighting their achievements and contributions to film, television, music and beyond. Celebrating the brightest young talents in entertainment, the 2025 'Power of Young Hollywood' party is set to honour Grammy Award-winning singer Tyla, 'Stranger Things' star Finn Wolfhard and rising actor Sam Nivola. Image: Instagram
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
More details emerge about the moments leading up to Malcolm-Jamal Warner's drowning
Malcolm-Jamal Warner tragically died at the age of 54 after drowning on Sunday whilst on holiday in Costa Rica Malcolm-Jamal Warner was swimming with his eight-year-old daughter when he drowned. The Cosby Show star tragically died at the age of 54 after drowning on Sunday whilst on holiday in Costa Rica and it has now been revealed that he was in the water with his daughter - whose name has not been made public - when the incident occurred. Police have told ABC News that surfers attempted to save Malcolm and his daughter after the pair were spotted struggling against the current. A surfer was able to save the Suits star's daughter by returning her to safety on his surfboard whilst Malcolm was pulled back to a shore by a volunteer lifeguard and another surfer. The actor - who was best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show - was given 45 minutes of CPR but was pronounced dead at the official cause of death has been declared as "asphyxation by submersion". The Caribbean Guard had revealed that there was no lifeguard on duty at the time when the tragic accident took place as they had "allocated resources" elsewhere due to "recent water incidents" at two beaches nearby.
The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner: His best roles
The entertainment world was deeply saddened by the news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner's passing at the age of 54. Best known for his groundbreaking role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show , Warner's career spanned decades and genres. He showcased remarkable range and versatility. As we honour his legacy, here is a look back at some of his most memorable roles that defined his impressive body of work. Warner's portrayal of Theo Huxtable, the thoughtful and charming eldest son of the Huxtable family, remains his most iconic performance. This role not only earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination but also helped to revolutionise the portrayal of African American families on television. His natural charisma and relatable performance made Theo a beloved character for millions of viewers worldwide. Following his success on The Cosby Show , Warner starred alongside Eddie Griffin in this comedic series, where he played Malcolm McGee. His character's responsible and meticulous nature contrasted perfectly with Eddie's carefree persona. This allowed Warner to showcase his comedic timing and versatility in a new light, according to USA Today. In this BET sitcom, Warner took on the role of Dr Alex Reed, a successful professional balancing family life and career challenges. This role highlighted Warner's ability to portray adult characters with depth, warmth, and humour, evolving naturally with his audience. Warner demonstrated his dramatic chops in this medical drama, portraying Dr. AJ Austin, a skilled and compassionate surgeon. His performance added emotional weight and complexity to the series. He proved his capacity to excel in intense, dramatic roles beyond his comedic roots. Warner lent his voice to the beloved educational children's series, playing The Producer. His involvement in this iconic show brought his talents to a younger generation. It allowed him to participate in a program that blended entertainment with learning. In the legal drama Suits , Warner appeared as Julius Rowe, a prison counsellor who provides profound guidance to a lead character. This recurring role demonstrated his skill in delivering powerful, nuanced performances in dramatic series. In this sci-fi drama, Warner played Kurdy Malloy, a loyal companion on a post-apocalyptic quest for safety alongside Luke Perry's character. This role expanded his repertoire into science fiction, showcasing his ability to venture into diverse storytelling genres. Malcolm-Jamal Warner also made memorable guest appearances on acclaimed shows such as American Horror Story , Sons of Anarchy , Dexter , and Community . Additionally, he appeared in films like Fool's Gold (2008), further demonstrating his wide-ranging talents. Malcolm-Jamal Warner's legacy is one of versatility, grace, and an undeniable impact on television and culture. His performances touched fans across generations, and his contributions to the arts will continue to be celebrated. Rest in peace, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
