Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at age 54 after a drowning incident in Costa Rica, according to local authorities.
Warner had been swimming at Playa Grande de Cocles in the Limon province Sunday afternoon when he was pulled into deeper waters by a strong current, the Costa Rican Judicial Investigation Department confirmed.
“He was rescued by people on the beach,” the initial report stated. However, first responders were unable to revive him.
Emergency Response Confirmed
The Costa Rican Red Cross received a 9-1-1 call at 2:10 p.m. local time reporting the water emergency.
“Three ambulances were promptly dispatched to the scene,” officials told Fox News Digital.“One individual was transported in critical condition… Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on the second individual, but he was declared deceased at the scene.”
Warner’s death marks the loss of a beloved actor whose presence on television helped shape a generation.
A Career That Spanned Decades
Warner starred as Theo Huxtable on NBC’s The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992, appearing in all 197 episodes. His portrayal of the Huxtable son earned him an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy in 1986.
While the legacy of The Cosby Show was later complicated by allegations against star Bill Cosby, Warner expressed pride in his role:
“Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I’m still proud of the legacy,” Warner told People in 2023.“It had a profound impact on—first and foremost—Black culture, but also American culture.”
Beyond ‘The Cosby Show’
Warner went on to star in several other television and film roles, including:
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“Malcolm & Eddie”
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“Reed Between the Lines”
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Films such as “Fool’s Gold,” “Tyson,” “Drop Zone,” and “Shot”
Most recently, Warner hosted the podcast “Not All Hood” alongside Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley.
