Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who is best known for playing Theodore ‘Theo’ Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at 54.
Costa Rican National Police confirmed the news with ABC, saying the ‘90s star accidentally drowned off the coast of Playa Cocles beach in Limon, Costa Rica, Sunday. His official cause of death is listed as asphyxia, which he suffered after being caught by high-current waters. Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department tells AP that “he was rescued by people on the beach,” but Red Cross first responders found him without vital signs. He was then taken to the morgue.
Warner played Theo throughout The Cosby Show’s eight-season run from 1984 to 1992, where he appeared as the son of Heathcliff ‘Cliff’ Huxtable (Bill Cosby) and Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad). A pivotal member of the group, Warner’s time as Theo established him as an icon in sitcom television history and one of the more recognizable celebrities of the 1990s.
The Cosby Show no doubt propelled Warner into the homes of TV watchers across America, but the star spent plenty of time making guest appearances and starring in other programs, too. Audiences may have spotted him in a few episodes of Will Smith’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or even recognized his voice as The Producer in The Magic School Bus.
From Son of Anarchy and Dexter to The Community, Warner continued to find his way to TV screens into the 2010s before appearing in a more regular capacity in shows like Reed Between the Lines and Major Crimes. Most recently, fans would have caught him in the Not All Hood (NAH) podcast series or starring as AJ Austin in Fox and Hulu’s The Resident.
Warner’s sudden passing has sent fans sharing memories and clips in his honor across social media. Many have been quick to point to one specific The Cosby Show performance from an early episode titled “A Shirt Story” as an all-time favorite moment from the series.
That man gave us one of the greatest scenes in the history of television.
I cannot even believe this. I am over here SOBBING!
Rest in poetry, Malcolm Jamal Warner. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/wSrmLZlaL7
— Renee (@PettyLupone) July 21, 2025
RIP Malcolm-Jamal Warner. pic.twitter.com/42T5pd2yCh
— Ave (@SebastianAvenue) July 21, 2025
RIP to the great Malcolm Jamal Warner, my generation grew up on him pic.twitter.com/Yzi4j6nLDu
— Rilla🇺🇸 (@Finalbossjimmy) July 21, 2025
Theo Huxtable getting his ear pierced without his parents’ permission was an all-time great sitcom episode.
Rest in peace, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. pic.twitter.com/K2krKZaOHV
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) July 21, 2025
Photo by Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty Images.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
