Malcolm-Jamal Warner has reportedly passed away at the age of 54, according to TMZ.
The outlet cited a “reliable source” who claimed the Cosby Show star died from an accidental drowning. Deadline echoed the report, though no official statement had been released at the time of publication.
ABC News later added that Warner had allegedly drowned off the coast of Costa Rica, according to local authorities.
Best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Warner earned an Emmy nomination for his performance as the beloved son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad. Over the years, Warner built a diverse career across TV, film, and stage—and in 2015, he earned a Grammy for his work on Robert Glasper’s version of Stevie Wonder’s “Jesus Children of America.”
In Malcolm & Eddie, which premiered in 1996 and ran for four seasons, Malcolm-Jamal Warner once again showcased his sitcom chops—this time starring opposite Eddie Griffin. Warner’s expansive career included standout roles across both film and television, with credits in The Magic School Bus, Community, American Horror Story: Freak Show, The Resident, Fool’s Gold, Reed Between the Lines, Sneaky Pete, 9-1-1, Sons of Anarchy, and many others.
He also appeared in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson, where he portrayed Al “A.C.” Cowlings alongside a star-studded cast featuring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Sterling K. Brown.
Earlier this year, during an interview with Sherri Shepherd, Warner reflected on the lasting impact of The Cosby Show while promoting Season 3 of Alert: Missing Persons Unit. Watching the classic series with his daughter, he shared, was a “really surreal” moment—and a reminder of how the show’s legacy still resonates today.
“[The Cosby Show] wasn’t just the No. 1 show in the world, it was the show that had such an impact on the world, on white America, on Black America,” Malcolm-Jamal Warner said. “That’s something that I’ll always be proud of being associated with.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner also co-hosted the Not All Hood (NAH) podcast with Candace Kelley, with the latest episode of its second season dropping just last week.
RIP.
