Hollywood (trfnews.i234.me) – Malcolm‑Jamal Warner, the beloved actor who starred as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has tragically drowned at age 54 while on a family vacation in Costa Rica.
According to the Costa Rican Judicial Investigation Department and confirmed by the Associated Press, the incident occurred on Sunday, July 20, at Playa Cocles near Limón. Warner was pulled into the ocean by a strong current, and his cause of death was ruled as asphyxia due to drowning.
Warner gained fame as the only son in the Huxtable family from 1984 to 1992, earning an Emmy nomination in 1986. Following The Cosby Show, he had a dynamic career, starring in series like Malcolm & Eddie, Reed Between the Lines, Suits, The Resident, and more. He also won a Grammy in 2015 and hosted the podcast Not All Hood, focusing on mental health within the Black community.
He is survived by his wife and daughter, whom he kept out of the public eye. Warner’s unexpected passing has sparked concern about the hazardous conditions at Cocles Beach, where dangerous riptides are known to occur.
Fans, colleagues, and celebrities have paid tribute, calling him a warm, talented, and culturally significant figure. His portrayal of Theo Huxtable helped redefine positive representations of Black families on television and continues to resonate across generations.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.