Fans across the world are mourning the heartbreaking death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor who warmed hearts as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show.
Warner, aged 54, passed away while vacationing with his family in Costa Rica.
The talented actor reportedly drowned after being caught in a strong current at Cocles Beach, located along the Atlantic coast in Limon.
According to Costa Rican National Police, his official cause of death was asphyxia.
The sad news was confirmed by a representative to The Independent.
Comedian Eddie Griffin, who starred with Warner in the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, described him as “my big little brother” in an emotional tribute on Instagram.
Warner first rose to fame as a teenager. At just 13 years old, he was chosen by Bill Cosby to play Theo Huxtable on the final day of a nationwide audition.
The show aired from 1984 to 1992 and quickly became one of the most-loved sitcoms in American TV history.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 18, 1970, Malcolm-Jamal Warner developed an early interest in acting.
He later studied at New York’s Professional Children’s School.
Beyond his Cosby Show fame, he built a rich and diverse career.
He went on to star in Malcolm & Eddie from 1996 to 2000, and had memorable roles in hit shows like Sons of Anarchy, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and The Resident.
In a past interview on the Hot & Bothered with Melyssa Ford podcast, Warner opened up about how his early fame followed him.
He revealed, “I’ve always wanted it to be separate… and there’s this narrative that I hate being called Theo…” Eventually, he admitted that “this was true” and he disliked signing autographs as “Theo.”
He added thoughtfully, “I’m always gonna be Malcolm much longer than Theo. Although to some people I’ll be Theo forever, and I can’t help that.”
Warner also explored his talent in music and poetry.
In 2003, he released The Miles Long Mixtape and, in 2015, won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance with Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway for “Jesus Children.”
Moreover, he appeared in several comedies such as Community, Key & Peele, and starred opposite Tracee Ellis Ross in Reed Between the Lines.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner is survived by his wife and daughter.
May his soul rest in peace.
Sad to see an actor who gave us memories leave so suddenly