'The Cosby Show' star Malcolm-Jamal Warner dead at 54, cause of death revealed

Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died, according to TMZ. He was 54.

The actor was in Costa Rica on a family vacation and accidentally drowned while swimming in a high current, according to ABC News. Costa Rican National police told the outlet that Warner drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday due to asphyxia.

Warner's body was discovered near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica, police said.

“The Cosby Show” alum rose to fame in the 80s for his beloved role as Theodore Huxtable, cementing his name in TV royalty. He played the only son of Bill Cosby’s character, Heathcliff Huxtable, in the series from 1984 to 1992.

Throughout his career, Warner earned an Emmy nomination in 1986 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and won countless awards.
He later starred in "Malcolm & Eddie" alongside co-star Eddie Griffin from 1996 to 2000.

Warner was also well known for his role as Alex Reed on "Reed Between the Lines", which he starred in opposite Tracee Ellis Ross from 2011 to 2015. He won an Image Award for "Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series" in 2012.

In 2023, Warner opened up about the legacy of the show despite the controversies surrounding Cosby, 88, who was charged with sexual assault in 2018.

"Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I'm still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on — first and foremost, Black culture — but also American culture," Warner told PEOPLE.

Warner leaves behind his wife and only daughter, whose names he never publicly revealed and kept out of the spotlight.

The beloved actor will be sorely missed. Rest in peace.