Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, recognized for his role as Theodore “Theo” Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” passed away on Sunday, July 20, at the age of 54. He drowned while swimming in Costa Rica during a vacation with his family.
The Costa Rican National Police reported that Warner drowned near Cocles, a beach located in Limon, after being swept by a strong current. His body was found on Sunday afternoon and was officially identified by the national police. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia.
Warner was on vacation with his daughter when this incident took place. The Costa Rican Red Cross arrived after bystanders brought Warner to shore and attempted to provide aid. However, he was pronounced dead. His body was later transported to the Judicial Morgue in San Joaquín de Flores, Heredia, for further examination.
Another person was injured in the same incident and taken to a local clinic in critical condition, according to the Costa Rican Red Cross. The individual’s current status is unknown.
Born on August 18, 1970, in New Jersey, Warner developed an interest in acting early on, leading his parents to enroll him at The Professional Children’s School in New York City. He made his television debut in 1982 on “Matt Houston” and appeared on “Fame” the following year.
Warner’s breakthrough came in 1984 with “The Cosby Show,” after auditioning on the last day of NBC’s nationwide search. He later shared that casting directors were initially looking for a six-foot-two-inch 16-year-old, but when no suitable candidate was found, his agent resubmitted him. Warner described himself as the last person they saw for the role.
He portrayed Bill Cosby’s son for all eight seasons of The Cosby Show, from 1984 to 1992, earning an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series in 1986. This role solidified his status in television and launched a career spanning over four decades.
Post-“The Cosby Show,” Warner starred with Eddie Griffin in the UPN sitcom “Malcolm & Eddie” from 1996 to 2000. He later led the BET sitcom “Reed Between the Lines” from 2011 to 2015, alongside Tracee Ellis Ross as Dr. Alex Reed.
Warner’s television work also included roles on “Sons of Anarchy,” where he played Sticky, and on “The Resident,” where he portrayed AJ Austin from 2018 to 2023. He made recent guest appearances on “9-1-1” and “Alert: Missing Persons Unit.”
Aside from acting, Warner began directing in his late teens, working on music videos for artists such as New Edition and Special Ed. He directed episodes of various shows, including “The Cosby Show,” “All That,” “Kenan & Kel,” and “Malcolm & Eddie.” He also directed the 1992 educational video “Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You,” featuring Arsenio Hall and Magic Johnson.
Warner was noted for his musical accomplishments, receiving a Grammy Award in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance as a featured artist on Jesus Children of America with the Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway. In 2023, he was nominated for a Grammy in the best spoken word poetry album category for Hiding In Plain View.
The actor also contributed his voice to “The Magic School Bus” as the Producer character, a role he also executive-produced for the PBS Kids series.
Warner recently launched the podcast “Not All Hood” in June 2024 with co-hosts Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley. The podcast addressed mental health in the Black community, with Warner describing it as a place for vulnerability. The latest episode aired three days before his death. Warner stated the podcast aimed to explore diverse aspects of Black culture and balance one-sided portrayals.
In 2013, Warner shared with the Archive of American Television that his most significant achievement was maintaining stability after “The Cosby Show.” He expressed contentment with his peace of mind and success in his post-show career and life.
In recent interviews, Warner reflected on “The Cosby Show’s” enduring influence, noting that despite the controversies around Bill Cosby, the show inspired many to pursue higher education and create strong family bonds. He emphasized that the show’s cultural impact remained irreversible.
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter, whose identities he kept private throughout his career. Representatives for Warner have not commented on his passing.
