Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 'Cosby Show' actor, drowns in Costa Rica

2025, July 27

Costa Rica

On July 20, American actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for portraying Theo Huxtable in The Cosby Show, drowned while on a family holiday in Cocles, Limón, Costa Rica. His death was verified by the nation's Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ). He was 54 years old.

According to the OIJ, Warner was pulled out by the current while swimming at Playa Grande. Although he was retrieved from the water by bystanders and treated by the Costa Rica Red Cross, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

As of July 21, People magazine reported that Warner's representative had not commented on the incident.

Warner also appeared on Sesame Street, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and The Resident.