Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54.
The actor was on a family vacation in Costa Rica when he drowned while swimming, according to a source.
No official comment has been given by Warner’s team at this time.
Warner rose to fame as a teenager in the 1980s, playing the only son of Bill Cosby’s character, Cliff Huxtable, in the long-running sitcom.
The show aired from 1984 to 1992 and became one of the most popular and influential TV shows of its time.
Even in recent years, Warner remained proud of what The Cosby Show meant to audiences, especially within Black communities.
In a 2023 interview, he said the cast still carried pride in the impact the show had on culture despite the controversy surrounding Cosby in later years.
After his breakout role, Warner continued acting and took on many roles in television and film. He starred alongside Eddie Griffin in Malcolm & Eddie, which aired from 1996 to 2000. Later, he played Alex Reed in Reed Between the Lines, opposite Tracee Ellis Ross.
The star also became known for his voice work, poetry, and music. Over the years, he earned respect for staying grounded and keeping a strong connection with his roots, even while working in Hollywood.
However, Warner’s sudden death has left fans and fellow actors in shock.
