Beloved actor Malcolm‑Jamal Warner, best known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has tragically died at the age of 54 from an accidental drowning while on vacation with family in Costa Rica.
TMZ first reported Warner’s death earlier today, stating that he drowned in the ocean at Cocles Beach, Limon province, after being caught in a strong rip current. He was pulled from the water and pronounced dead on the scene .
Costa Rican authorities confirmed the drowning officially ruled as asphyxia due to submersion . The Judicial Investigation Agency reported that Warner was “swept away by a current” and though bystanders attempted rescue, Red Cross responders later declared him deceased .
A second man was injured in the incident and remains hospitalized in critical condition .
Warner rose to fame as part of the original cast of The Cosby Show, starting at age 13, earning an Emmy nomination in 1986 for Outstanding Supporting Actor . He later starred in Malcolm & Eddie, appeared in Sons of Anarchy, The Resident, and lent his voice to The Magic School Bus. He also won a Grammy in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance .
Following the news of his passing, Bill Cosby, who played his on-screen father, expressed his grief, saying Warner’s death echoed the pain of losing his real-life son Ennis in 1997 .
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter, who he kept largely out of the public eye .
