Cosby Show Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies at 54 in Costa Rica

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, passed away at the age of 54 while on a family vacation in Costa Rica. Warner starred in The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992 and later in Malcolm & Eddie and other TV shows like Sons of Anarchy and The Resident.

According to ABC News, Warner drowned during his vacation in Costa Rica on Sunday. The Costa Rican National Police reported that he died from asphyxia after being caught in a strong current while swimming off Cocles, a beach in Limon. Warner's cause of death was confirmed by his representative.

Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner pursued acting from a young age and landed the role of Theo on The Cosby Show after auditioning at the age of 13. He reflected on his association with the character in a podcast earlier this year, expressing his desire to be recognized for more than just his role as Theo.

During his career, Warner became a well-known public figure, making guest appearances on various shows and hosting Saturday Night Live at the age of 16. He also appeared in Sesame Street and A Different World, a spin-off of The Cosby Show.

Warner was in a relationship with his Cosby Show co-star Michelle Thomas until 1994. He remained close to her until her death in 1998. In addition to his acting career, Warner was a musician and performance poet, releasing an album in 2003 and winning a Grammy Award in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance.

Warner's final screen appearances were in four episodes of the TV series 9-1-1 last year. He is survived by his wife and daughter.