ACTOR Malcolm-Jamal Warner, one of the stars of the 1980s sitcom classic The Cosby Show, has died at age 54 after an accidental drowning, according to reports.
Warner was best known for his work on The Cosby Show as Theodore Huxtable, the affable son of Bill Cosby's Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable.
Warner was on a family vacation in Costa Rica when he drowned on Sunday in the waters off the coast of Cocles, a beach in Limon, about three hours southeast of the capital of San Jose, the Costa Rican National Police told ABC News.
Costa Rican authorities have ruled the actor's cause of death as asphyxia.
The country's national police said Warner was pulled into the ocean after being caught by a high current.
Warner's body was recovered later that afternoon after being "rescued by people on the beach," the initial report by the Costa Rica Judicial Investigation Department states, according to the Associated Press.
"First responders from Costa Rica's Red Cross found [Warner] without vital signs and he was taken to the morgue," the report added.
The country's national police said Warner was caught by a high current on Sunday and his body was recovered later that afternoon.
Warner leaves behind a wife and daughter, the names of whom "he chose not to publicly share, always keeping his life private," TMZ reported.
COSBY SHOW STAR
The Cosby Show became a smash hit 30 years ago, with Warner playing the only son of Cosby's character in the sitcom from 1984 to 1992.
Warner reflected on his time on the iconic sitcom, telling People in 2023, "know I can speak for all the cast when I say The Cosby Show is something that we are all still very proud of.
"We share a unique experience that keeps us lovingly bonded no matter how much time goes between seeing or hearing from each other."
At the time, Warner also opened up about the impact of Cosby's shocking prison release in 2021.
The disgraced comedian, 88, was freed after his sexual assault conviction was overturned on a technicality by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Warner said two years ago, "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."
In 2016, he told the Associated Press, "My biggest concern is when it comes to images of people of color on television and film, no matter what… negative stereotypes of people of color, we've always had The Cosby Show to hold up against that.
"And the fact that we no longer have that, that's the thing that saddens me the most because in a few generations the Huxtables will have been just a fairy tale."
ICON GONE
Warner, a native of New Jersey, starred as O.J. Simpson's friend Al Cowlings – who sat behind the wheel during the infamous Bronco chase – on American Crime Story.
The actor has also starred as Chuck Cooper in Major Crimes, as Julius Rowe in Suits and as AJ Austin in The Resident.
In 1996, Warner starred alongside Eddie Griffin in the lead roles of TV sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, which aired its final episode in 2000.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner's life
Warner began his stardom on "The Cosby Show" as character Theodore Huxtable, earning him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
He then went on to play Malcolm McGee in the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, and starred in shows like Reed Between the Lines, Sons of Anarchy, American Horror Story: Freak Show, and Suits.
Warner was also a voice actor in The Magic School Bus, an iconic children's television show that aired in the 90s.
Alongside acting, Warner was a poet and a bass player, earning his first Grammy in 2015 for "Best Traditional R&B Performance as a Featured Performer."
Most recently, he hosted the podcast Not All Hood, which "takes a provocative look at the vastly different lived experiences and identities of Blacks in America," according to its website.
Warner was the voice of the Producer in cartoon show The Magic School Bus.
In 2015 he won a Grammy for best R&B performance for his spoken-word contribution to a Robert Glasper's version of the Stevie Wonder classic Jesus Children of America.
Warner had never earned an Emmy Award for his role on The Cosby Show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
A humble Warner told reporters on the red carpet that his mom had kept him grounded.
He had received his first Grammy nomination after playing music for more than two decades.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
Post a Comment