Beloved actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54. Warner drowned while vacationing with family in Costa Rica on Sunday, according to officials and his representative, who confirmed the tragic news to The Independent. His cause of death was ruled asphyxia due to strong ocean currents near Cocles Beach on the country’s Atlantic coast.
Warner’s passing has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans, friends, and co-stars. Among those paying tribute is his former partner, actress Regina King, who dated Warner from 2011 to 2013. She honored him in a heartfelt Instagram Story post:
“Some people leave a lasting imprint, not just for who they were but for the energy they carried. I’m sending prayers filled with love and understanding to your family and loved ones,” she wrote.
King also shared a photo of Warner on a motorcycle with the caption: “Ride in power.”
Geoffrey Owens, Warner’s former Cosby Show co-star, expressed his heartbreak:
“This tragedy has almost left me speechless. Malcolm was a lovely man, a sweet and sensitive soul… He had the mind of an actor and the heart of a musician.” Owens recalled Warner’s generosity, noting his support for a past theater project.
Hollywood continues to reel from the loss.
Comedian Kevin Hart reacted to the news on Instagram with disbelief, writing, “WTF… Wow. This is heartbreaking.”
NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson shared a tribute on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “Cookie and I are sad to hear about the passing of our dear friend Malcolm-Jamal Warner… Every time I ran into Malcolm, we would have deep and fun conversations about basketball, life, and business. He will truly be missed.”
Eddie Griffin, who starred with Warner on Malcolm & Eddie, described him as “my big little brother” in his own tribute.
Actress Tracee Ellis Ross, Warner’s co-star in Reed Between the Lines, wrote:
“I love you, Malcolm… My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place.”
Jennifer Love Hewitt, who worked with Warner on 9-1-1, said on Instagram: “I cannot believe this. This hurts my heart. A gentleman, an incredible talent… Heartbroken.”
Niecy Nash also mourned the loss, saying: “My God. We just spoke… You were a cornerstone of The Cosby Show. We all loved Theo! Never to be forgotten. You will be missed. Rest easy.”
Jamie Foxx added: “Speechless on this one. Rest in power, my brother.”
In a statement to Variety, Fox Entertainment said:
“Everyone at Fox is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague… Malcolm will be remembered most for his warmth, kind heart, and the lasting impact he had on his friends, family and fans everywhere.”
Warner rose to fame at just 13 years old when he was handpicked by Bill Cosby to play Theo, the only son of Heathcliff Huxtable, in The Cosby Show. The role made him a household name. At 16, he hosted Saturday Night Live, and appeared in Sesame Street and several specials.
His career spanned decades, with roles in Malcolm & Eddie, The Resident, Community, Key & Peele, and most recently 9-1-1. Beyond acting, Warner was also an accomplished musician and poet. His 2015 Grammy-winning performance of “Jesus Children” with Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway highlighted his talent beyond the screen.
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter. Funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly announced.
