Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Actor Who Starred as Theo in ‘The Cosby Show,’ Dead at 54

July 21, 2025

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the 54-year-old actor known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," has died in a drowning accident while vacationing with his family in Costa Rica. According to reports, Warner was swimming at Playa Grande near Cahuita when a current pulled him deeper into the ocean around 2:30 p. m.

Who is affected

Malcolm-Jamal Warner's family, who were vacationing with him in Costa Rica
The entertainment industry and Warner's colleagues from his various television projects
Fans of "The Cosby Show" and Warner's other work in television and music
The Black community, for whom Warner served as a representative voice through his podcast and acting work

What action is being taken

Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Police are providing information about the drowning incident
The Red Cross has officially declared Warner dead following the drowning accident
CNN is reaching out to Warner's representatives for further information
People who were on the beach attempted to help Warner during the drowning incident

Why it matters

Warner was a significant cultural figure who rose to fame as a child actor on "The Cosby Show," which helped legitimize the Black middle class on television
He maintained a successful career spanning four decades in television, with credits in numerous popular shows
Beyond acting, Warner was a Grammy-winning musician who won best traditional R&B performance in 2015 and was nominated again in 2023
Warner recently launched a podcast aimed at exploring diverse Black experiences, continuing his commitment to representation in media
His character on "The Cosby Show" was culturally important as part of a positive portrayal of a Black family that countered negative stereotypes

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint