Hollywood is mourning the devastating loss of The Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who tragically passed away at age 54 after drowning while on a family vacation in Costa Rica.
According to Costa Rican authorities, Warner drowned off the coast near Cocles Beach on Sunday, July 20. His official cause of death has been confirmed as asphyxia.
Best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable, the only son of Bill Cosby’s character, Heathcliff Huxtable, Warner became a beloved household name during his time on the beloved NBC sitcom, which ran from 1984 to 1992.
His legacy as a cultural icon was cemented not only through his Emmy-nominated performance, but also through decades of work across television, music, and film.
News of his sudden death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, prompting a wave of tributes from colleagues, costars, and fellow performers who remembered him not just as a gifted actor, but as a generous spirit and trusted friend.
Jamie Foxx and Beyoncé were among the first stars to honor Warner, sharing a brief but powerful message on Instagram.
Hollywood is mourning the devastating loss of The Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who tragically passed away at age 54 after drowning in Costa Rica
‘Speechless on this one rest in power, my brother,’ he captioned his tribute.
Beyonce posted a statement to her website that read, ‘Rest in Power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.’
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Kevin Hart, clearly shaken, reacted to the news in a comment under People’s Instagram post.
‘WTF…. Wow. This is heartbreaking,’ the comedian wrote. RIP king…. Woooow.’
Meanwhile, Kate Hudson reflected on spending time with him while shooting a film in .
‘He was the kindest and sweetest,’ she wrote on her Instagram Story. ‘My heart is heavy and sending such love to @malcolmjamalwar family.’
In reaction to the tragedy, Kerry Washington wrote that she was ‘deeply saddened by this loss.’
Tracee Ellis Ross paid homage to her first TV husband with a very thoughtful post.
News of his sudden death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, prompting a wave of tributes from colleagues, costars, and fellow performers, including Jamie Foxx (seen in 2023)
Beyoncé shared a statement to her website as a tribute to the late television actor; pictured in 2019 in London
‘Rest in Power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history,’ she captioned a photo of the actor in his youth. ‘You will be missed’
Kevin Hart, clearly shaken, shared his heartbroken reaction to the news in a comment under People’s Instagram post
Kate Hudson described Warner as the kindest and sweetest in her tribute; seen in 2025
‘My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant,’ she wrote. ‘You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.’
Comedian and actor Eddie Griffin, who costarred with Warner on the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, posted a moving tribute to his Instagram Story alongside a photo of his longtime friend. He captioned the shot, ‘My Big little Brother.’
Taraji P. Henson posted multiple photos of the late star, along with a heartfelt caption.
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‘This one hurt. Malcolm, we grew up with you. Thank you for the art, the wisdom, the grace you gave us!!!!! You left the world better than you found it. Rest easy, king!!!! Your legacy lives far beyond the screen,’ the actress wrote.
Marlee Matlin, who directed an episode of Accused in which Warner guest-starred, also paid tribute on Instagram. Sharing a photo from a 2023 panel they appeared on together, she wrote:
‘I am so sad to read of the untimely passing of Malcolm Jamal Warner. He was the nicest guy and it was a privilege to have been in the same company with him, sharing a directors’ panel along with @HowardmGordon and Michael Chiklis. My heart goes out to his family and friends. RIP Malcolm.’
Morris Chestnut also paid tribute to his former The Resident costar.
‘Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor. He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on,’ the actor wrote on Instagram.
Tracee Ellis Ross also paid homage to her first TV husband with a very thoughtful post; seen in 2011
Mike Colter fondly recalled running into Warner ‘about a year ago’ and how his ‘legacy will live on’
Holly Robinson admitted that she was ‘struggling to process’ his death.
‘Malcolm was so deeply loved, respected, and a true icon of television. We first met in the ’80s on the set of The Cosby Show, when my dad was a writer/producer and remained friends throughout the years. He was always gracious, kind, funny and gave the absolute best hugs. I am sending my deepest condolences to his mom, Pamela and his family,’ she wrote on Instagram.
She concluded: ‘We aren’t ready to say goodbye, Malcolm —but you lived with purpose, character, presence, and grace. Rest well, my friend. Your light lives on.’
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While reflecting on her friend’s death, Niecy Nash revealed they had ‘just spoke.’
‘You were giving my my flowers for my work in @grotesqueriefx and we talked about how happy we both were in our marriages. Damn friend [crying emoji] You were cornerstone of The Cosby Show. We all loved Theo! Never to be forgotten. You will be missed. Rest Easy,’ she captioned her Instagram post.
Mike Colter fondly recalled running into Warner ‘about a year ago.’
‘Wow. I ran into this prince of man about a year ago. We had previously connected during the covid lockdown down and exchanged kind words. I was fascinated by his depth and concern for his fellow man. His compassion for his people. His musical gifts and expressions in spoken word,’ he wrote. ‘Yes of course I had watched him as I grew up on the Cosby Show but he had grown into so much more as an artist and a man. A father.’
He concluded: ‘I took this photo as his mother sat across from us. I complimented her on what a great job she had done with her son in this industry. He turn out so well. My heart goes out to her. I never heard a harsh word spoken about him. His legacy will live on. I’m so sorry for this loss to his family and friends. i’m in shock to be honest.’
Jamie Foxx was among the first to honor Warner, sharing a brief but powerful message on Instagram
‘My heart is heavy and sending such love to @malcolmjamalwar family,’ Hudson wrote on her Instagram Story
In reaction to the tragedy, Kerry Washington wrote that she was ‘deeply saddened by this loss’
Other stars took to social media to express their shock and grief, including Ricki Lake, Jennie Garth, Patti LaBelle and Mario Lopez, who shared broken heart emojis.
Daily Mail has reached out to Warner’s representatives for comment, but they have not yet responded.
While the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, experts note that some beaches in Costa Rica can pose serious risks depending on conditions.
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Though many areas are safe for swimming, others are known for powerful currents and rip tides that demand caution.
According to WedMD, Asphyxia ‘happens when your body doesn’t get enough oxygen to keep you from passing.’
Breathing impairment, due to water inhalation, can cause the condition, which can result in unconsciousness or death.
Although it is unknown what caused him to drown, the waters in Costa Rica can be dangerous, depending on the specific beach and conditions.
While many beaches offer safe swimming, some have strong currents and rip tides that require caution.
Other stars took to social media to express their shock and grief, including Ricki Lake, Jennie Garth, Patti LaBelle and Mario Lopez, who shared broken heart emojis
The actor, best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the beloved NBC sitcom, appeared in all eight seasons from 1984 to 1992 (seen in 1899)
The actor, best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the beloved NBC sitcom, appeared in all eight seasons from 1984 to 1992.
At the time, Warner was just a teenager, but his performance earned widespread acclaim, including a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 1986 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Warner is survived by his wife and young daughter, born in 2017.
While he occasionally shared glimpses of his family life on social media, he chose to keep their identities private, opting not to publicly reveal their names.
His character, Theo, was based on Bill Cosby’s real-life son, Ennis Cosby, and was portrayed with depth and sensitivity.
In the show, Theo is diagnosed with dyslexia after struggling academically during his freshman year at New York University—an arc that resonated with many viewers.
Beyond The Cosby Show, Warner carved out a successful and diverse career in both comedy and drama.
He starred as Malcolm McGee in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000) opposite Eddie Griffin, and later headlined BET’s Reed Between the Lines from 2011 to 2015 as Dr. Alex Reed.
In the show, Theo is diagnosed with dyslexia after struggling academically during his freshman year at New York University—an arc that resonated with many viewers; seen in 1990
Warner is survived by his wife and young daughter, born in 2017
The actor was in Costa Rica with his family where he drowned while swimming off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday, local authorities told ABC News
The Costa Rican National Police reported that Warner’s body was discovered near Cocles, a beach in the Limon province (Playa Cocles pictured above)
His television credits also included recurring roles and guest appearances on shows like Sons of Anarchy, Jeremiah, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Community. Warner also voiced the Producer character on the educational children’s series The Magic School Bus.
Prior to his breakout role, Warner, who was born in New Jersey, he attended a performing arts school in New York City.
Cosby personally selected Warner to play his son.
In 2023, Warner insisted he and the rest of the cast of The Cosby Show ‘still very proud of’ their hit series.
‘We share a unique experience that keeps us lovingly bonded no matter how much time goes between seeing or hearing from each other,’ he told People.
‘Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I’m still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on — first and foremost, Black culture — but also American culture,’ Warner explained, nodding to the rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment claims against his former onscreen dad.