The actor is best known for his role as Theo Huxtable
20:19, 21 Jul 2025Updated 20:19, 21 Jul 2025
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his role as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” has died(Image: Rich Polk/Getty Images)
Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died aged 54. The actor rose to fame as a child star and is best known for his portrayal of Theo Huxtable on NBC’s The Cosby Show. According to CNN, the actor was on a family holiday in Costa Rica when he drowned while swimming.
Costa Rican National Police said that Warner drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday and that his official cause of death was asphyxia. Police believe that he was caught by a high current in the water and was discovered Sunday afternoon, the Mirror reports.
Warner starred in The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992 where he appeared as the only son of Bill Cosby’s character, Heathcliff Huxtable. He went on to star alongside Eddie Griffin in Malcolm and Eddie from 1996 to 2000.
He also appeared as Alex Reed on Reed Between the Lines and portrayed Chuck Cooper in Major Crimes. More recently, he played Julius Rowe in Suits and as AJ Austin in The Resident.
The actor was born in New Jersey on August 18, 1970. He knew he wanted to pursue a career in acting from a young age and attended New York’s Professional Children’s School.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner landed the hit role when he was 13(Image: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
He landed the role of Theo Huxtable when he was aged just 13. The hit comedy sitcom was centered around the lives of the Huxtables, including husband and wife Cliff and Clair and their five children: Sondra, Denise, Vanessa, Rudy and Theo.
Speaking to People Magazine about the show in 2023, Warner shared: “I know I can speak for all the cast when I say The Cosby Show is something that we are all still very proud of.”
“We share a unique experience that keeps us lovingly bonded no matter how much time goes between seeing or hearing from each other.
“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.”
Away from acting, Warner won a Grammy award for the song “Jesus Children.” He also launched a podcast called Not All Hood where he opened up about mental health in the Black community.
Speaking of the podcast, he told People Magazine: “It’s been an interesting experience for me, because it’s a place where I feel safe enough to be able to be as vulnerable as I allow myself to be.”
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter.