Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Beloved ‘The Cosby Show’ Star, Dies at 54 in Tragic Drowning Accident

Costa Rica – July [Date], 2025 – Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has tragically passed away at age 54. The actor drowned while swimming during a family vacation in Costa Rica, his representatives confirmed.
A Legacy That Transcended Scandal
Warner’s career skyrocketed as the lovable, sweater-clad son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show(1984–1992), a role that made him a household name. Despite the controversy surrounding Bill Cosby, Warner remained proud of the show’s cultural impact.
“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 Black culture—and America.”
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Beyond Theo: Advocate, Podcaster, and Family Man
After The Cosby Show, Warner:
🎤 Launched the podcast Not All Hood(2024) to discuss mental health in the Black community
🎭 Starred in Sons of Anarchy, American Crime Story, and Broadway plays
🏆 Won a Grammy for his spoken-word album The Miles Long Mixtape

“This podcast is where I’m my most vulnerable,” he shared last year. “We wanted to explore the many facets of Black life—not just the stereotypes.”
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A Private Family Man
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter, whose names he kept out of the spotlight. Tributes poured in from co-stars and fans, remembering him as:
❤️ A gifted actor who brought warmth to every role
🗣️ A mental health advocate breaking stigmas
👨👩👧 A devoted family man who cherished privacy