Malcolm-Jamal Warner dead: Cosby Show star dies aged 54 after 'accidental drowning'

Malcolm-Jamal Warner has reportedly died at the age of 54. The actor is best known for his role on The Cosby Show, with him receiving acclaim for his performance on the show.

The actor, who has a wife and daughter, has been the subject of tributes today following reports that he has died. According to TMZ, a source has claimed that Malcolm-Jamal died as a result of an accidental drowning.

Costa Rican National Police said that Malcolm-Jamal drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday and that his official cause of death was asphyxia. Police believe that he was caught by a high current in the water and was discovered Sunday afternoon.

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Malcolm-Jamal is best known for having played Theodore Huxtable on the sitcom The Cosby Show, which ran on NBC from 1984 to 1992. He appeared in all eight seasons of the show and received an Emmy nomination for his role in 1986.

His character Theo, whose storylines included being diagnosed with dyslexia, was introduced as the son of Cliff Huxtable (played by Bill Cosby) and Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad), and the finale centred on his college graduation.

The actor is also known for his role as Malcolm McGee, one of the two lead roles alongside co-star Eddie Griffin, on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, which ran from 1996 to 2000. He later played Dr. Alex Reed in the BET sitcom Reed Between the Lines, which ran for two seasons from 2011 to 2015.

Malcom-Jamal has also appeared in shows like Dexter, Community, Sons of Anarchy and American Horror Story: Freak Show. More recently, he portrayed Al 'A.C.' Cowlings in the first season of American Crime Story, subtitled The People v. O. J. Simpson, in 2016.

He had a recurring role as Julius Rowe on Suits between 2016 and 2017, before starring as Dr. AJ Austin on The Resident. He appeared in all six seasons of the Fox medical drama, which launched in 2018 and then concluded in 2023.

Aside from his acting career, Malcolm-Jamal is also credited as a producer on the animated series of the Magic School Bus from 1994 to 1997. He's also a Grammy Award winner, having received the accolade in the Best Traditional R&B Performance as a featured artist on Robert Glasper Experiment's song Jesus Children in 2015.

The news of Malcolm-Jamal's death has prompted tributes on X. One person wrote: "RIP to the talented and unforgettable Malcolm-Jamal Warner." Another said: "I'm really sad about Malcolm Jamal Warner. Messed my day up."

A third fan wrote: "Malcolm-Jamal Warner was known for acting, but he was also one hell of a poet. May his poetry and legacy live on forever." Another tribute read: "RIP Malcolm-Jamal Warner, a warm, welcome presence in front of and behind the camera that has been taken from us far too soon."

Someone else said: "Rest in peace, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Your work touched so many lives, and your legacy will endure. Gone far too soon." Whilst another fan wrote: "Extremely sad to read the news that Malcolm-Jamal Warner has passed away. What a true talent. Thoughts and prayers for all who knew and loved him."

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