Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Beloved as “Theo” on The Cosby Show, Drowns at 54 — Bill Cosby Speaks Out: “Feels Like Losing My Son Again”

Hollywood is mourning the sudden and tragic death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on the iconic series The Cosby Show. The 54-year-old actor reportedly drowned while swimming off the coast of Costa Rica, leaving behind heartbroken fans, family, and former colleagues.

A Tragic Loss That Reopened Old Wounds for Bill Cosby

News of Warner’s untimely passing struck a deep emotional chord with Bill Cosby, 88, who said the tragedy reminded him of one of the darkest moments of his life — the murder of his real-life son, Ennis Cosby, in 1997.

Cosby’s spokesperson Andrew Wyatt confirmed to TMZ that Cosby was “transported back to the pain of losing Ennis” upon hearing about Malcolm-Jamal’s drowning. Ennis and Malcolm-Jamal had been close in age, often playing together off-screen while The Cosby Show was in production.

“They were a great team,” Wyatt recalled. “Hearing this news took Mr. Cosby right back to that same heartbreak.”

The Drowning Accident Confirmed by Authorities

According to Costa Rican authorities, Warner drowned while swimming near Cocles, an area known for its strong and dangerous currents. He was found deceased on Sunday, with the official cause of death listed as asphyxiation by drowning.

Sources close to the actor confirmed to People Magazine that he was on a family vacation at the time of the accident.

A Private Life Away from the Spotlight

Though Malcolm-Jamal Warner remained active in television in recent years, he kept his personal life extremely private. After relationships with fellow actresses, including Karen Malina White, Warner married later in life and is survived by a wife and daughter, according to U.S. media reports.

Warner’s last public comments reflected optimism and excitement for the future. According to Cosby’s spokesperson, their final conversation touched on Warner’s joy about an upcoming concert in Minneapolis and how he felt he was “changing the world.” Cosby reflected, “He really did. His impact will last forever.”

Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner as “Theo”

From 1984 to 1992, Warner starred as Theo Huxtable, the charming, relatable teenage son on NBC’s smash hit, The Cosby Show. His portrayal won over fans worldwide, and his performances brought warmth, humor, and depth to the family sitcom.

However, in the years following Bill Cosby’s conviction in 2018 for sexual assault, reruns of The Cosby Show have largely disappeared from television. Though Cosby was later released from prison in 2021, the legacy of the show has been significantly overshadowed.

Even so, Warner’s performance as Theo continues to be remembered fondly by fans as one of the show’s most heartfelt and enduring characters.

Bill Cosby on Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Death: A Second Loss

Bill Cosby, who once mentored Warner both on and off the screen, said losing Warner feels “like losing my son all over again.” In 1997, Cosby’s son Ennis was murdered during an attempted robbery in Los Angeles. Learning of Warner’s passing brought back painful memories for the former TV star.