Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Beloved ‘Cosby Show’ Star, Dies at 54 After Accidental Drowning in Costa Rica

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor who became a household name as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has passed away at the age of 54. According to People, Warner drowned while swimming during a family vacation in Costa Rica.

Warner’s breakout role as Theo, the only son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, earned him an Emmy nomination and made him one of the most recognizable young stars of the 1980s. Fans grew up watching him navigate life lessons, including one memorable episode where he learned the value of budgeting after his family “repossessed” his belongings.

After his eight-season run on The Cosby Show, Warner continued to build a steady career. He starred alongside Eddie Griffin on the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, led the BET series Reed Between the Lines, and took on dramatic roles on shows like Sons of Anarchy and The Resident, where he played Dr. AJ Austin from 2018 to 2023.

Born in New Jersey, Warner showed a passion for performing at a young age, leading his parents to enroll him in a New York performing arts school. He famously landed his role as Theo on the final day of NBC’s casting search, handpicked by Bill Cosby himself.

Beyond acting, Warner had a successful career behind the camera, directing episodes of major shows like Kenan & Kel and Malcolm & Eddie, as well as music videos for artists such as New Edition and Special Ed. In 1992, he directed the widely shared HIV/AIDS awareness video Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You, featuring Arsenio Hall and Magic Johnson. He also won a Grammy for his work on “Jesus Children” with Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway.

Warner’s extensive acting credits included appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Suits, 9-1-1, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and Grown-ish. He also voiced the Producer on PBS Kids’ The Magic School Bus and served as executive producer for the beloved educational series.

Most recently, Warner co-hosted the podcast Not All Hood with Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley, discussing Black masculinity, mental health, and how the media shapes cultural narratives.
He is survived by his wife and young daughter.