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'Cosby Show' star Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies by drowning at 54

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on July 21, 2025

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· Last updated: January 22, 2026

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'Cosby Show' star Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies by drowning at 54
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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played Bill Cosby's son Theo on the 1980s television hit "The Cosby Show," has died at age 54, according to media reports on Monday. Warner

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Star of 'The Cosby Show,' Dies at 54 by Drowning

Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Untimely Passing

LOS ANGELES/SAN JOSE (Reuters) -Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played Bill Cosby's son Theo on the 1980s television hit "The Cosby Show," died at age 54 on Monday by drowning, a law enforcement source confirmed to Reuters.

Circumstances of His Death

Warner was vacationing in Costa Rica with his family, media reported. The Central American nation's judicial investigation department (OIJ) confirmed that a U.S. citizen with the last name Warner had drowned after being pulled out to sea by a rip current.

Legacy of 'The Cosby Show'

He was declared lifeless at the scene by Red Cross lifeguards, the department said.

Representatives for Warner did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

"The Cosby Show," which aired from 1984 to 1992, was a groundbreaking show that portrayed a successful Black middle-class family. Cosby portrayed a doctor, and Warner played his only son.

(Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Alvaro Murillo; Editing by Mark Porter)

Key Takeaways

  • Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for 'The Cosby Show,' has died at 54.
  • Warner drowned while vacationing in Costa Rica.
  • He was pulled out to sea by a rip current.
  • Warner was pronounced dead at the scene by lifeguards.
  • 'The Cosby Show' was a groundbreaking series in the 1980s.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Malcolm-Jamal Warner die?
Malcolm-Jamal Warner died by drowning while vacationing in Costa Rica.
What role is Malcolm-Jamal Warner best known for?
He is best known for playing Theo Huxtable on 'The Cosby Show,' which aired from 1984 to 1992.
What did the judicial investigation department confirm?
The Central American nation's judicial investigation department confirmed that a U.S. citizen with the last name Warner had died.
Who declared Warner lifeless at the scene?
Warner was declared lifeless at the scene by Red Cross lifeguards.
What was the significance of 'The Cosby Show'?
'The Cosby Show' was a groundbreaking television series that portrayed a successful Black middle-class family.

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