Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on the hit sitcom The Cosby Show, tragically died on July 20, 2025, in Costa Rica. He was 54.
Warner reportedly drowned while on a family vacation, according to early media reports. Further details have not yet been publicly confirmed by family representatives or local authorities.
Warner was born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Raised in Los Angeles by his mother, Pamela Warner, he began acting at the age of nine.
His career took off at 14 when he was cast as Theo, the only son of the Huxtable family on The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992.
The series became one of the most-watched and influential American sitcoms of the 1980s and early 1990s. Warner appeared in all eight seasons and earned an Emmy nomination in 1986 for his role.
Following the end of The Cosby Show, Warner continued to work continuosly in both television and film.
From 1996 to 2000, he co-starred with Eddie Griffin in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie. He later had recurring roles in shows like Jeremiah, Reed Between the Lines, Sons of Anarchy, American Crime Story, The Resident, and 9-1-1. His performances in later years were generally well received by critics and helped maintain his relevance in the entertainment industry.
In addition to acting, Warner pursued work behind the camera as a director and producer. He directed episodes of several television shows, including The Cosby Show, All That, and Malcolm & Eddie.
He was also active in the spoken-word and music scenes. Warner was an accomplished bass player and collaborated with a number of artists, including jazz pianist Robert Glasper and singer Lalah Hathaway.
He won a Grammy Award in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Jesus Children” alongside Hathaway and Glasper.
In 2024, Warner launched a podcast titled Not All Hood, which focused on mental health issues in the Black community. The podcast received positive feedback for its straightforward discussions and expert guests.
Warner remained largely private about his personal life. He was reported to have a long-term partner and one child, though he rarely shared details publicly.
He was known for avoiding tabloid attention and generally kept a low profile outside of his professional work.
Warner’s death comes as a surprise to many in the entertainment world. As of now, no formal statement has been issued by his family.
Tributes from fellow actors, musicians, and fans have started to appear on social media, reflecting on his long-standing presence in film, television, and music.