‘The Cosby Show’ Star Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies at 54 in Costa Rica Drowning Incident

Malcolm-Jamal Warner (left) and Bill Cosby on 'The Cosby Show'. Credit : PEOPLE.com

Firstsitenews-Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on the classic sitcom The Cosby Show, has tragically passed away at the age of 54 following a drowning accident off the coast of Costa Rica.

According to reports from AP News, Reuters, and other major outlets, the actor was on a family vacation when the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, July 20, at Playa Cocles in Costa Rica’s Limón Province. The Costa Rican Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ) confirmed that Warner was pulled out to sea by a strong current while swimming.

Bystanders at the beach managed to bring him ashore, and emergency responders from the Costa Rican Red Cross quickly attempted to revive him. Despite their efforts, Warner was declared dead at the scene. The Red Cross said it received the alert at approximately 2:10 p.m. local time and treated two adult males during the emergency, transporting one in critical condition.

Authorities listed the official cause of death as “asphyxia by submersion,” with local police citing a powerful rip current as the suspected cause of the accident. U.S. media outlets including CBS News, ABC News, Entertainment Weekly, and PEOPLE have echoed these preliminary findings.

In a statement issued by the OIJ, officials noted: “The victim appears to have entered the sea and was apparently swept away by a current. He was declared lifeless at the scene after receiving medical attention from the Costa Rican Red Cross.”

Fox Entertainment, which collaborated with Warner on the hit medical drama The Resident, where he played Dr. AJ Austin, expressed its deep sorrow in a statement:

“Everyone at FOX is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, the extraordinary Malcolm-Jamal Warner.”

Warner’s death marks a profound loss for fans, colleagues, and the global entertainment community, who remember him not only for his breakout role in The Cosby Show but also for a wide-ranging career that spanned decades in television, film, and music.