The Cosby Show stars lead tributes to Malcolm-Jamal Warner following drowning
He was on holiday with his family.
The Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died while on a family holiday, with tributes pouring in from those close to him.
The 54-year-old actor began his career playing Theo Huxtable, the son of Bill Cosby’s character Heathcliff Huxtable, on the sitcom from 1984 until 1992.
The role earnt him an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series in 1986, when he was just 16-years-old.
This week he was away with family in Costa Rica, where he got into trouble while swimming and drowned.
In a statement obtained by People, the Judicial Investigation Agency said: ‘The victim appears to have entered the sea and was apparently swept away by a current. The man was rescued by bystanders and taken to shore, where he received treatment from the Costa Rican Red Cross. However, he was declared lifeless at the scene.’
Costa Rican National Police later confirmed he died of ‘asphyxia’ after being caught in a high current on a beach in Limon.
The actor rose to fame in the 1980s (Picture: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) He played Theo Huxtable on the long-running sitcom (Picture: Jacques M. Chenet/ Corbis via Getty Images)Warner is survived by a wife and daughter, who he had chosen to keep out of the public eye.
Soon after Warner’s death was announced, other famous faces began to pay tribute.
His onscreen father Cosby, told ABC News that he ‘enjoyed working with [Warner] very much’.
He continued: ‘He always knew his part, he always knew his lines, and he always knew where to go.’
After The Cosby Show ended, he added: ‘Malcolm calls here regularly. While I was their TV dad, I never stopped being a father to them.’
His spokesperson, Andrew Wyatt, spoke to the parallels between Warner and Bosby’s son’s death in 1997 after he was murdered.
Wyatt told People it ‘reminded [Cosby] of the same call he received when his son died.’
Cosby shared that he always saw Warner as his son (Picture: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)Cosby also told CBS News that he last spoke to Warner three months ago where they discussed Warner’s Art in Motion concert alongside the Minnesota Orchestra which he said was ‘something [Warner] was very proud of.’
In 2018, Cosby was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his Pennsylvania estate in 2004. He spent just under three years in prison before his conviction was overturned and he was released in 2021.
Elsewhere, Warner’s Cosby Show co-star Geoffery Owens, who played his brother-in-law, said he was ‘almost left speechless’ at this tragedy.
‘Malcolm was a lovely man; a sweet and sensitive soul. I respected him for many reasons, including the fact that he genuinely loved the act of creation.
Warner’s Cosby Show co-stars are sharing their tributes (Picture: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)‘He had the mind of an actor and the heart of a musician. He was generous, too; I did a theater project long ago and asked him to participate; and he was there for me. My heart goes out to his family,” he told ABC News.
Jamie Foxx shared his tribute on Instagram, writing: ‘Speechless on this one rest in power, my brother.’
On her website, Beyonce posted a picture of of a young Warner with the words: ‘Rest in power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. For being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.’
Kate Hudson called him the ‘kindest and sweetest’ and TV network Fox said in a statement that he will be remembered for his ‘warmth and, kind heart and lasting impact on his friends, family and fans.’
The late 911 star appeared in the show with Jennifer Love Hewitt (Picture: Disney)911 co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt added: ‘A gentleman, an incredible talent and we were so lucky to have him in the 911 family. Heartbroken and sending love to his family.’
Tracee Ellis Ross, who played his wife in Reed Between the Lines, shared a photo of them embracing and wrote: ‘I love you, Malcolm. First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband.
‘My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.’
‘My heart is heavy right now…rest easy my brother for you have won in life and now you’ve won forever eternal bliss,’ Eddie Griffin shared.
‘Devastated by this news. Truly heartbroken! Rest well, king,’ Jennifer Hudson wrote.
Devastated by this news. Truly heartbroken! Rest well, king. Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) July 21, 2025
After The Cosby Show wrapped up, Warner went on to star as Malcolm McGee in sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, which ran between 1996 and 2000, and Dr. Alex Reed in the sitcom Reed Between the Lines, in 2011 and 2015.
He was also known for playing Sticky in Sons of Anarchy, Al Cowlings in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and Dr. AJ Austin in The Resident.
Behind the camera he was also a producer on the kids show The Magic School Bus.
Born in New Jersey in 1970, Warner was raised by his mother, Pamela, who also served as his manager.
After showing an interest in acting aged 9, he was enrolled in acting schools and eventually graduated from The Professional Children’s School in New York.
His break-out role came when he was 14, being selected by Cosby himself to star in The Cosby Show.
As a teenager he also directed music videos, as well as a teen-oriented public health video about Aids in the 1980s.
Two years ago, Warner spoke about the legacy of the show on which he made his name.
Warner went on to appear on shows including Alert: Missing Persons Unit (Picture: Fox via Getty Images) He died while on a family holiday in Costa Rica (Picture: Randy Shropshire/ Variety via Getty Images)In 2018 its star Cosby, now 88, was convicted of sexual assault. Although it was overturned in 2021, five more women then came forward to accuse him of sexual assault.
‘I know I can speak for all the cast when I say The Cosby Show is something that we are all still very proud of,’ Warner told People.
‘We share a unique experience that keeps us lovingly bonded no matter how much time goes between seeing or hearing from each other.
‘Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I’m still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on — first and foremost, Black culture — but also American culture.’
Metro has contacted representatives for Warner for comment.
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