Malcolm-Jamal Warner, former ‘Cosby Show’ star, dead at 54

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor perhaps best known for starring in the TV sitcom “The Cosby Show” as son Theodore “Theo” Huxtable, has died at 54.

Warner drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday, Costa Rican National Police told ABC News. Warner’s official cause of death was asphyxia, police said.

Warner died near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica, after getting caught by a rip current Sunday afternoon, police said. Bystanders rescued him and took him to shore, where he received treatment, though he was declared dead by the Costa Rican Red Cross, police said.

Warner was formally identified by Costa Rica’s national police, which described him as a tourist.

Warner played Theo Huxtable for all eight seasons of “The Cosby Show,” which ran from 1985-1992, receiving an Emmy nomination for the role.

Warner also starred with Eddie Griffin in the 1996-2000 sitcom “Malcolm & Eddie,” and as Dr. Alex Reed in the BET sitcom “Reed Between the Lines.” He also appeared in guest roles on dozens of television shows over the years.

Warner most recently starred in the Fox medical drama “The Resident” for five of the show’s six seasons.

Born Aug. 18, 1970, Warner caught the acting bug early in life and attended and graduated from The Professional Children’s School in New York City.

He made his first television appearance in an episode of the TV series “Matt Houston” in 1982 and also appeared in the “Fame” television series the following year.

In 1984, he landed his role in “The Cosby Show” alongside Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Lisa Bonet and more.

In 2023, Warner appeared on “Live with Kelly and Mark” and shared how he got the role.

“When my agent submitted me, they were looking for a 6-foot-2-inch 16-year-old,” he said at the time. “Because it was a running joke — Mr. Cosby’s son at the time was 15 and was [6 feet, 2 inches tall].”

He said that they weren’t able to find someone with that criteria, so his agent resubmitted him for the role and he auditioned.

“I was literally the last person they saw,” he said.

The role earned Warner an Emmy nomination in 1986 for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series.

He added, “That impact is irreversible.”

Following “The Cosby Show,” Warner continued to appear in several television series including “The Michael J. Fox Show,” “Key & Peele,” “American Horror Story” and “Sons of Anarchy” in 2014, as well as “Suits” and “American Crime Story” in 2016.

In 2011, he starred in the BET comedy series “Reed Between the Lines,” alongside Tracee Ellis Ross.

He also starred in several films, including “The List” in 2007, “Fool’s Gold” in 2008 and “Shot” in 2017.

In 2015, Warner earned a Grammy Award for best traditional R&B performance alongside Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway for their cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Jesus Children of America.”

He told Questlove in 2023 that he was 26 when he started playing the bass as a hobby while working on “Malcolm and Eddie.”

He also spoke about playing the bass in a 2015 interview with ForBassPlayersOnly.com, saying, “I always say the bass chose me because as a kid, the bass was always thing thing that resonated with me.”

“I got my first record player when I was 8 and the first record I stole from my mom’s collection was Grand Central Station,” he added. “So at 8 years old, that’s what would hit me.”

Warner also earned a Grammy nomination in 2023 for best spoken word poetry album for “Hiding In Plain View.”

In June 2024, Warner started the podcast “Not All Hood” with Candace Kelly, where they talked about mental health in the Black community and more.

He told People in May 2024 that the podcast was a space for him to “be as vulnerable as I allow myself to be.”

“So many of our Black images and so much of our Black music shows one side of our Black culture,” he said. “We want to make sure that we can balance that out with the many other aspects of Black culture out there.”

In 2013, Warner told the Archive of American Television that his “proudest achievement” in life was “being able to have a post-Cosby life and post-Cosby career and still have my head on as straight as possible.”

“I’ve had such an awesome life,” he said at the time. “I’ve got my ups and downs and all of that, but if I die tomorrow, I know I would go with a smile on my face.”

He added, “I have peace of mind and for me, you can’t put a price on that. And I can definitely say that I feel successful in my post-Cosby life and having a peace of mind.” source

Hollywood stars honored Malcolm-Jamal Warner with moving tributes to “The Cosby Show” actor shared one day after his drowning death in Costa Rica. He was 54.

Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé and Kate Hudson were just a few colleagues who paid respects online to Warner.

“Speechless on this one,” Foxx shared on Instagram Monday with a photo of “The Resident” star. “Rest in power, my brother.”

Malcolm-Jamal Warner died Sunday in Costa Rica. He was 54. (CBS Photo Archive)

Beyoncé added an image of Warner to her website, and wrote, “Rest in power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. For being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.”

“Spent time working on a film in Australia with Malcolm and he was the kindest and sweetest,” Kate Hudson wrote on her Instagram stories. “My heart is heavy and sending such love to @malcolmjamalwar family.”

“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor,” Morris Chestnut shared online. “He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on.”

“Everyone at Fox is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, the extraordinary Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” the network said in a statement shared with The Associated Press. “While his iconic roles – from comedic to dramatic – are unforgettable and timeless, Malcolm will be remembered most for his warmth, kind heart and the lasting impact he had on his friends, family and fans everywhere. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones.”

Malcolm Jamal Warner drowned after being pulled into deeper waters by a current while swimming in Costa Rica. (Getty Images)

Warner’s former “9-1-1” co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt posted in her Instagram stories, “I cannot believe this. This hurts my heart. A gentleman, an incredible talent and we were so lucky to have him in the 911 family. Heartbroken and sending love to his family.”

Tracee Ellis Ross shared a carousel of images with Warner online, and wrote, “I love you, Malcolm. First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”

Viola Davis wrote on Instagram, “I actually am speechless!!!!! No words! Theo was our son, our brother, our friend… He was absolutely so familiar, and we rejoiced at how TV got it right!! But… Malcolm got it right… and now… we reveled in your life and are gutted by this loss. Blessings and prayers to your family and loved ones… We will speak your name—always.”

Taraji P. Henson admitted Warner’s death “hurt” in a post shared online. “Malcolm, we grew up with you,” she wrote. “Thank you for the art, the wisdom, the grace you gave us!!!!! You left the world better than you found it. Rest easy, king!!!! Your legacy lives far beyond the screen.”

Warner co-hosted the “Not All Hood” podcast with Candace Kelly, a platform where different lived experiences were discussed from within the Black community.

“We’re heartbroken by the unexpected passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” the Fanbase network said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. “On Fanbase, he showed us what it means to be a creator with purpose, Malcolm brought intention, integrity, and brilliance wherever he was. His legacy runs deep and we were honored to witness it. His voice as a Black man in America shaped generations and reminded creators everywhere of the power of speaking truth through their work.The Fanbase community joins the world in mourning his loss and honoring the impact he had on culture. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who were inspired by his light.”

Warner was swimming Sunday at Playa Grande de Cocles in the Limon province when a current pulled him into deeper waters, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department claimed.

“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 Heathcliff Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby, on “The Cosby Show” from 1984 to 1992. He appeared in all 197 episodes of the NBC sitcom.

Warner starred as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” (Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank)

He appeared in nearly 200 episodes of the family sitcom. (R.M. Lewis Jr./NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

In 1986, Warner earned an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a comedy.

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. source