July 21, (THEWILL) — Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died in a drowning accident in Costa Rica. He was 54.
The Judicial Investigation Department in Costa Rica confirmed that Warner drowned on Sunday afternoon while swimming off Playa Grande de Cocles in Limón province.
Reports indicate that the actor was caught in a strong current and pulled underwater before bystanders rushed to help.
Emergency responders from the Costa Rican Red Cross pronounced him dead at the scene.
Warner was on vacation with his family at the time of the incident.
Warner rose to fame as Theo Huxtable, the only son of Cliff Huxtable played by Bill Cosby, on the groundbreaking NBC sitcom, The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992.
The show was celebrated for its positive portrayal of a successful Black middle-class family. Warner appeared in all 197 episodes and earned an Emmy nomination in 1986 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Beyond his iconic role, Warner maintained an active career in television, music, and directing, with recent appearances in The Resident and Sneaky Pete.
Tributes from fans and colleagues have poured in, honouring his talent and legacy.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
