World News
The Cosby Show Star Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies at 54 in Accidental Drowning
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54 following an accidental drowning in Costa Rica.
According to People magazine, Warner was on a family vacation when the tragedy occurred. Sources close to the family revealed that the actor had gone swimming off the coast when he got into difficulty in the water. Despite efforts by emergency responders, Warner could not be revived after being pulled from the ocean.
His sudden death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and among fans across the globe who grew up watching him portray the affable Huxtable son.
Warner rose to fame in the 1980s as the only son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable—played by Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad—in The Cosby Show, a groundbreaking sitcom that ran from 1984 to 1992. His role as Theo, a character often seen as down-to-earth and relatable, earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, making him one of the few young Black actors of his era to receive such recognition.
Beyond his breakthrough role, Warner enjoyed a diverse and accomplished career across television, music, and production. He starred in the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie and had key roles in dramas like The Resident, as well as recurring appearances in critically acclaimed series including Suits and The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Many children of the ’90s also remember his distinctive voice from the animated series The Magic School Bus, which he narrated.
A talented musician, Warner was a Grammy Award winner, taking home the 2015 award for Best Traditional R&B Performance in a collaboration with Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway. His creative pursuits extended to spoken word poetry and jazz bass performance, further showcasing his artistic depth.
Known for maintaining a low profile off-screen, Warner occasionally spoke publicly about the value of family, fatherhood, and the importance of Black representation in Hollywood. He is survived by a wife and daughter, whose identities he kept private throughout his life.
As of now, Warner’s publicist has not released an official statement.
