American actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on the iconic sitcom The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54.
Warner reportedly drowned over the weekend while vacationing in Costa Rica. According to the country’s Judicial Investigation Agency, the tragedy occurred around 2 p.m. local time on Sunday at Playa Grande, Cocles, in the Limón Province. Authorities said he was caught in a strong ocean current and dragged out to sea while swimming.
Bystanders managed to pull the actor to shore, where members of the Costa Rican Red Cross attempted resuscitation efforts. However, Warner was pronounced dead at the scene.
Here are 20 things to Know About Malcolm Jamal Warner
1. Born in 1970: Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was raised in Los Angeles from the age of five.
2. Named After Icons: He was named after civil rights activist Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal.
3. Child Star Turned Icon: Warner began acting at age nine and was enrolled in professional acting schools, graduating from The Professional Children’s School in New York City.
4. Breakout Role on The Cosby Show: He rose to fame as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show (1984–1992), which became one of the most successful sitcoms in TV history.
5. Emmy Nominee: Warner was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1986.
6. Cast on Final Day: He auditioned on the final day of The Cosby Show’s nationwide search and was personally selected by Bill Cosby.
7. Directed While Still a Teen: During his Cosby Show days, Warner began directing, including music videos for New Edition and Special Ed.
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8. Star of Malcolm & Eddie: From 1996 to 2000, he starred in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie alongside comedian Eddie Griffin.
9. Versatile TV Career: He had key roles in series such as Reed Between the Lines, The Resident, Jeremiah, Suits, Major Crimes, and Sneaky Pete.
10. Portrayed Al Cowlings: In 2016, he played Al Cowlings in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
11. Award-Winning Musician: In 2015, Warner won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his spoken word contribution to “Jesus Children” by Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway.
12. Poet and Spoken Word Artist: Warner’s poetry, often performed live and accompanied by jazz music, addressed social issues and Black identity.
13. Grammy Nomination in 2022: His spoken word album Hiding in Plain View was nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
14. Music Albums: He released two albums: The Miles Long Mixtape (2003) and Love & Other Social Issues (2007).
15. Podcast Host: In 2024, Warner co-launched the Not All Hood (NAH) podcast, focusing on the real-life experiences of Black Americans.
16. Children’s Programming: Warner hosted CBS Storybreak in the early 1990s, promoting literacy among children.
17. Advocate for Health Education: He directed a public health video on HIV/AIDS awareness featuring Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall.
18. Private Family Life: Warner married later in life and had a daughter, though he intentionally kept his family out of the spotlight.
19. Romantic Relationships: He dated several actresses, including Michelle Thomas, Karen Malina White, and Regina King. Thomas passed away in 1998, deeply affecting Warner.
20. Tragic Death at 54: Warner died on July 20, 2025, after drowning while swimming in Costa Rica. He was caught in a powerful ocean current. His death was confirmed as due to asphyxia by drowning.
