Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies at 54 After Drowning Accident in Costa Rica
- Victor Nwoko
- Jul 21, 2025
- 3 min read
Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54 after a tragic drowning incident while vacationing with family in Costa Rica.
Authorities confirmed that Warner drowned on Sunday, July 20, while swimming in the ocean. According to a statement from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), “The victim appears to have entered the sea and was apparently swept away by a current. The man was rescued by bystanders and taken to shore, where he received treatment from the Costa Rican Red Cross. However, he was declared lifeless at the scene.”
A spokesperson for the Red Cross stated that paramedics performed CPR for more than 20 minutes without success. Warner’s cause of death has been determined to be asphyxiation by submersion.
Warner rose to fame in the 1980s for his portrayal of Theo Huxtable, the son of Bill Cosby’s character on The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992. Reflecting on the show’s legacy in a 2023 interview, Warner expressed pride in the cultural impact of the series despite the controversies surrounding its star, Bill Cosby. “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,” Warner said.
Following The Cosby Show, Warner starred alongside Eddie Griffin in the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie from 1996 to 2000 and portrayed Alex Reed in Reed Between the Lines from 2011 to 2015 with co-star Tracee Ellis Ross. His recent roles included appearances in Major Crimes, Suits, The Resident, 9-1-1, and Alert: Missing Persons Unit.
In 2024, Warner launched a podcast with cohosts Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley, where he explored diverse aspects of Black identity and experience. “It’s a place where I feel safe enough to be as vulnerable as I allow myself to be,” he said, noting the need for deeper conversations about the complexity of the Black community.
News of Warner’s death prompted heartfelt reactions from former co-stars and industry peers. Bill Cosby, now 88, issued a response through spokesperson Andrew Wyatt, describing the news as devastating. “He found a way to talk about Malcolm even though he was sad,” Wyatt said. Cosby also spoke with Phylicia Rashad, who played his on-screen wife, as they mourned together. “We were embracing each other over the phone about a dearly beloved friend,” Cosby later shared.
Warner’s final conversation with Cosby reportedly centered on Warner’s Art in Motion concert with the Minnesota Orchestra—an event he was deeply proud of. Cosby described Warner as disciplined and driven, recalling how even in his youth, he was always prepared, studied hard, and was comfortable on set despite the pressures of teenage stardom.
In interviews, Warner acknowledged the complex legacy of The Cosby Show following Cosby’s conviction and subsequent legal battles. He admitted that while the controversy hurt potential reboots and financial opportunities, it hadn't derailed his personal career. “I can’t defend him or his actions at all. But I also can’t throw him under the bus completely… It’s so complex and it’s so many shades of gray,” Warner said in a 2023 interview with journalist Jemele Hill.
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter, whose identities he kept private throughout his life. He will be remembered not only for his early breakout role but also for a career that spanned generations and for using his platform to create space for honest dialogue about race, identity, and humanity.
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