How Did Malcolm-Jamal Warner Die? ‘Bill Cosby Show’ Star Dies from Accidental Drowning Aged 54 While on Costa Rica Vacation with Family
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role on “The Cosby Show”, has died at the age of 54, according to reports. A source confirmed Warner’s death to PEOPLE, saying that he was on a family vacation in Costa Rica when he tragically drowned while swimming. Costa Rican National Police said that Warner drowned near Cocles Beach in the Limon province.
Authorities said he was pulled under by a strong current and his body was found near Cocles, a beach in the Limon province, on Sunday afternoon. Police said that the official cause of death was asphyxia. Police have launched an investigation as details into Warner’s tragic death continue to emerge.
Star in His Own Right
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Although the exact details of the incident are still unclear, experts point out that certain beaches in Costa Rica can be extremely hazardous depending on the water conditions. Warner played Theodore “Theo” Huxtable, the son of Bill Cosby’s character Cliff Huxtable, on the NBC sitcom, which aired from 1984 to 1992.
Warner starred in all eight seasons of the show, gaining widespread recognition and becoming a familiar face in households across the country.
In 2021, Warner gave an exclusive interview to The New York Post discussing the impact and legacy of “The Cosby Show” in the aftermath of Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction, which was eventually overturned.
“I can understand why some people can’t watch the show and enjoy it because of everything that’s going on now,” Warner told the outlet. “But I think…there’s a generation of young people who have pursued higher education or have started loving families because of the influence of that show.”
“So it’s kind of like, you can’t discount its impact on television culture and American culture,” he added.
A Star Is Gone
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Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was named after civil rights leader Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He began his career as a child actor and attended The Professional Children’s School in New York City.
Warner landed the role of Theo Huxtable on the final day of a nationwide casting search, with Bill Cosby personally selecting him, according to Variety.
He starred alongside Cosby as Cliff Huxtable, Phylicia Rashad as Clair Huxtable, Sabrina Le Beauf as Sondra, Lisa Bonet as Denise, Tempestt Bledsoe as Vanessa, and Keshia Knight Pulliam as Rudy.
In 1986, Warner received an Emmy Award nomination and also hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live that same year.
Warner was still a teenager when he took on the role of Theo, but his performance was widely praised and earned him a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 1986 Primetime Emmy Awards.
He is survived by his wife and a young daughter, born in 2017.
Although he occasionally offered glimpses into his family life on social media, Warner made a conscious decision to keep their names and identities out of the public eye.
His character Theo was inspired by Cosby’s real-life son, Ennis Cosby, and Warner portrayed him with nuance and emotional depth.
In the series, Theo is diagnosed with dyslexia after facing academic challenges during his first year at New York University—an important storyline that resonated with many viewers.
Outside of The Cosby Show, Warner went on to build a successful and varied career across both comedic and dramatic roles.
He starred as Malcolm McGee in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000) alongside Eddie Griffin, and later took the lead as Dr. Alex Reed in BET’s Reed Between the Lines, which ran from 2011 to 2015.
