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, police said. Police said he was caught by a high current in the water and was discovered Sunday afternoon.
Warner was formally identified by Costa Rica’s national police.
The Cosby Show cast members, Tempestt Bledsoe, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lisa Bonet, Phylicia Rashad, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Bill Cosby.
Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
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.
Warner spoke to Bevy Smith about the legacy of “The Cosby Show” in 2023, saying, “There’s a generation of us who went to college, they sought out higher education because of that show. There’s a generation of us that went and got married and had loving relationships with each other and their children because of that show.”
He added, “That impact is irreversible.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
