Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died at the age of 54.
Per ABC News, the Cosby Show star was vacationing with his family in Costa Rica on Sunday (July 20), when he was caught in a high current and died from accidental drowning. According to Costa Rica authorities, his official cause of death is listed as asphyxia.
Warner was best known for his long-running role as Theodore ‘Theo’ Huxtable on the Cosby Show, in which he played the son of Bill Cosby’s character, Cliff Huxtable. He earned an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor for that role.
Other TV shows Warner was known for throughout his career also include Malcolm & Eddie, Reed Between The Lines, Sons Of Anarchy, The Resident, 9-1-1 and small but recurring roles in Suits and Community.
In film, he was known for his roles in Drop Zone alongside Wesley Snipes and Fool’s Gold alongside Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson.
Following the news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s tragic death, several of his co-stars have paid tribute to the late actor. Angela Bassett, who starred with the late actor on 9-1-1 wrote: “When a special soul like [Malcolm-Jamal Warner] leaves us far too soon, words fail to adequately describe the unimaginable grief. Malcolm was more than a gifted actor; he was a longtime friend. When I met him, he was a star on the show that was TV royalty, The Cosby Show.”
She continued lower down in her post: “In this life, Malcolm is what’s known as a soulful artist whose deep commitment to his craft left an impression on me that has never faded. He carried the weight of cultural legacy with grace, and he always made space for others to shine.”
Tracee Ellis Ross, who starred as his wife on Reed Between The Lines wrote: “I love you, Malcolm. First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world, then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”
Wendell Pierce said in a statement, per Variety: “Forever youthful, he had a huge capacity for joy but admonished those who did not afford him the respect he had earned with his work. He exercised his right of self determination. A tragic loss of a man who demonstrated the best in our humanity.”
See more tributes below.
Adam Sandler, who was at the premiere of Happy Gilmore 2 recalled their time on The Cosby Show togehter: “Malcolm was so nice to me together. We had such good times together… We would take walks together and pick up food, play basketball… he was so good to me as a person… Malcolm was a true great person.”
Adam Sandler remembers his time working with Malcolm-Jamal Warner on ‘The Cosby Show.’ 💔 pic.twitter.com/1UOJmN05WX
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) July 22, 2025
Sad to hear about Malcolm-Jamal Warner. RIP to someone that has filled our homes with so much joy. Another reminder tomorrow isn’t promised.
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) July 21, 2025
The Gentle Giant
A poem and tribute to our beloved brother Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Today, we lost a gentle giant.
A man who won our hearts not by force, but by quiet grace.
From the very beginning, Malcolm-Jamal Warner reminded us that being calm, classy, sophisticated, and soulful… pic.twitter.com/1tUkY5QZ3q
— Tyrese Gibson (@Tyrese) July 21, 2025
Cookie and I are sad to hear about the passing of our dear friend Malcolm-Jamal Warner. We were both super fans of the hit Cosby Show and continued to follow his career on shows like Malcolm and Eddie and The Resident. Every time I ran into Malcolm, we would have deep and fun…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 21, 2025
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