Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies at 54

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at 54.
The actor drowned on Sunday, July 20, while vacationing with his family in Limón, Costa Rica.
Authorities said he was caught by a strong current while swimming and pulled to sea at Playa Grande in Cocles between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m.
People nearby brought him back to shore, where the Costa Rican Red Cross attempted to resuscitate him. He was later pronounced dead from asphyxia caused by submersion. His body was officially identified.
Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, he found fame in the 1980s as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, a role he played for eight seasons.
Bill Cosby chose him on the last day of a nationwide audition. Warner earned an Emmy nomination in 1986 for the role.
After The Cosby Show, Warner starred in Malcolm & Eddie and BET’s Reed Between the Lines.
He appeared on The Fresh Prince, Sesame Street, Suits, and 9‑1‑1. He recently played Dr. AJ Austin in The Resident.
Warner voiced The Magic School Bus and appeared in The Proud Family. On stage, he shone in Three Ways Home.
In 2015, the actor won a Grammy with Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway for Best Traditional R&B Performance for their rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Jesus Children of America’.
Warner led a private life, leaving behind a wife and daughter. He had recently co-hosted ‘Not All Hood’, a podcast on Black life in the U.S.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

NationWide
NIMC says new act enhances data identity protection of Nigerians
NIMC’s director-general, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, says the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026 has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.

NationWide
Public trust remains greatest asset, IGP Disu tells police chiefs
The inspector-general of police has urged global law enforcement leaders to ensure that technological innovations strengthen public trust, transparency and human rights.

World
Ukraine to get licence to produce Patriot missiles, says Trump
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the U.S. would grant Ukraine access to produce Patriot air defence interceptors.

Showbiz
Pitt gets 25 Emmy nominations, sci-fi drama Pluribus has 18
U.S. hospital drama series The Pitt and Apple TV+ sci-fi drama Pluribus are among the top nominees for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Rights
Outrage as Zimbabwean husband flees UK after alleged murder of wife, daughters
The case has caused outrage on social media, with many calling for discussion about violence against black women.

Heading 2
Trump orders more U.S. strikes to degrade Iran’s grip on Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump has ordered more strikes on Iran.





