Famed American actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, widely celebrated for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on the hit 1980s sitcom The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54. The actor reportedly drowned on Saturday, July 20, 2025, while swimming at Playa Cocles in Limón Province, Costa Rica.
Authorities confirmed that Warner was caught in a strong rip current while swimming and was pulled from the water unconscious. Despite swift efforts by bystanders and emergency responders from the Costa Rican Red Cross, he could not be revived. The Judicial Investigation Agency in Costa Rica officially declared the cause of death as “asphyxiation by submersion.”
Warner, who began his television career as a teenager, gained global recognition for his portrayal of Theo Huxtable in The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992. His performance earned him an Emmy nomination and made him a household name in the American entertainment industry. Over the years, he evolved into a multi-talented performer, also starring in Malcolm & Eddie, Reed Between the Lines, Sons of Anarchy, and The Resident.
His final public project was the podcast Not All Hood, where he celebrated Black identity and culture. In one of his recent episodes, he said: “Survival itself is Black excellence.”
Reacting to the shocking news, legendary actor Bill Cosby described Warner’s death as a devastating loss. “Losing Malcolm feels like losing another son,” Cosby said in a statement. Angela Bassett, Warner’s co-star on 9-1-1, wrote on Instagram: “Words fail to adequately describe the unimaginable grief. Malcolm was more than a colleague; he was family.”
Warner is survived by his wife, daughter, and mother, Pamela Warner, who also served as his manager. His death has left fans and colleagues in deep mourning across the globe, with tributes pouring in from every corner of the entertainment industry.