The Cosby Show actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died at age 54.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54. Actor and director Malcolm-Jamal Warner tragically died by drowning on Sunday off the coast of Costa Rica, near Cocles Beach in the province of Limón. According to ABC News and the Costa Rican National Police, the cause of death was asphyxiation caused by a strong ocean current that caught Warner. His body was later found and officially identified.



Warner rose to fame in the 1980s with his role on The Cosby Show, which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. This role paved the way for a diverse career in film and television. In recent years, he played surgeon AJ Austin in the medical drama The Resident and appeared in the courtroom drama Accused (US), both on Fox. In a statement, Fox expressed its deep sorrow:

"Everyone at Fox is devastated by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, the extraordinary Malcolm-Jamal Warner. His roles—from the comedic to the dramatic—are unforgettable, but we will remember him most for his warmth, his big heart, and the lasting impression he left on friends, family, and fans worldwide."

His television work also includes roles in Ten Days in the Valley opposite Kyra Sedgwick and as A.C. Cowlings in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson. He has also appeared in series such as Sneaky Pete, Sons of Anarchy, Major Crimes, Suits, Community, Dexter, The Cleaner and The Michael J. Fox Show.

Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. At the age of five, he moved with his family to Los Angeles. Although his big breakthrough came with The Cosby Show, he managed to build a broad portfolio of acting and directing work, directing episodes of The Cosby Show and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

In 2011, he co-starred with Tracee Ellis Ross in the BET series Reed Between the Lines, and directed the educational video Timeout: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You, starring Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall, among others.

On the big screen, Warner made his debut in Drop Zone (1994) and starred in Fool's Gold (2008) opposite Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, and Donald Sutherland. He was also active on stage, with roles in off-Broadway productions such as Three Ways Home, Cryin’ Shame, Freefall and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the La Jolla Playhouse in California.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner leaves behind an impressive body of work and is remembered as a talented, committed and beloved artist, whose influence will continue to be felt — both on and off the screen.