Malcolm-jamal Warner, ‘cosby Show’ Actor, Dead At 54 After Drowning

Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, champion known to a procreation of Americans for playing Theo Huxtable connected “The Cosby Show,” 1 of nan astir iconic tv bid of nan 1980s, died Sunday, July 21, from drowning. While on picnic pinch his family, officials say, Warner was caught by a beardown existent adjacent Cocles Beach successful Limón, Costa Rica. Police discovered Warner’s assemblage connected Sunday afternoon. 

The origin of decease was asphyxia, a information caused by a deficiency of oxygen successful nan body. Warner was 54 years old.

Authorities person not released further specifications surrounding nan incident.

Career began pinch an iconic sitcom

Warner roseate to fame successful nan 1980s playing Theo, nan youngest boy connected nan groundbreaking NBC sitcom “The Cosby Show.” He appeared successful each 8 seasons of nan show from 1984 to 1992 and earned an Emmy nomination successful 1986 for Outstanding Supporting Actor successful a Comedy Series.

While “The Cosby Show” later faced nationalist scrutiny because of galore intersexual battle allegations against Bill Cosby, Warner has maintained pridefulness successful nan show’s taste significance.

“Regardless of really immoderate group whitethorn consciousness astir nan show now, I’m still proud of nan bequest and having been a portion of specified an iconic show that had specified a profound effect connected — first and foremost, Black civilization — but besides American culture,” he told People successful 2023.

After “The Cosby Show,” Warner starred successful “Malcolm & Eddie” and BET’s “Reed Between nan Lines.” He astir precocious played Dr. AJ Austin connected 5 of six seasons of Fox’s aesculapian play “The Resident.”

He besides hosted a podcast, “Not All Hood,” which released its astir caller section past week, according to TMZ.

Though Warner kept his individual life mostly retired of nan spotlight, he precocious opened up during an quality connected character Melyssa Ford’s podcast. He shared specifications astir his woman of 10 years and their child.

“I wasn’t judge if I would ever get joined aliases person kids,” he told Ford. That each changed erstwhile he met his wife.

Tributes move in

Warner’s friends and co-stars took to societal media to grant his representation and impact.

Actress Niecy Nash, who worked pinch Warner connected “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson,” posted an affectional connection connected Instagram.

“My God 💔 we conscionable spoke. You were giving [me] my flowers for my activity successful @grotesqueriefx and we talked astir really happy we some were successful our marriages.” 

Actor Morris Chestnut, Warner’s  workfellow from “The Resident,” besides shared a heartfelt tribute:

“Heartbroken to perceive astir nan passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Working alongside him connected The Resident was an honor. He brought truthful overmuch depth, warmth, and contented to each segment and each conversation. One of nan nicest successful nan business. Rest easy, brother. Your bequest lives on.”

Actress and influencer Tabitha Brown reflected connected what Warner meant to fans of “The Cosby Show” and nan era:

“This 1 hurts🥹…. @malcolmjamalwar was virtually nan relative I ne'er had successful my caput increasing up! I mean nan full Cosby family was each our family successful nan 80s, but Theo was nan only son, nan only relative and he was brilliant! Rest easy 🙏🏾🥹 May we each emotion each different a small much today❤️ #spreadlove”