Malcolm-Jamal Warner, a beloved actor aged 54, has tragically passed away. A reliable source has confirmed to PEOPLE that the talented performer drowned while swimming during a family vacation in Costa Rica.
Warner's journey in the entertainment industry began with his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on "The Cosby Show." From 1984 to 1992, he portrayed the sole son of Bill Cosby's character, Heathcliff Huxtable, in this beloved sitcom. Reflecting on the show in 2023, Warner told PEOPLE, "I speak for all the cast when I say that 'The Cosby Show' is something we are immensely proud of. Our unique experience has forged an unbreakable bond, regardless of the time that passes between our encounters."
Acknowledging the shifting legacy of the show due to the allegations against Cosby, who was convicted of sexual assault in 2018 but later had the charge overturned in 2021 (only to face accusations from five more women), Warner said, "Regardless of the current sentiment towards the show, I remain proud of its impact, particularly on Black culture, and American culture at large. It was an honor to be part of such an iconic production."
Following his tenure on "The Cosby Show," Warner went on to star in numerous successful TV shows and movies. From 1996 to 2000, he led the sitcom "Malcolm & Eddie" alongside Eddie Griffin. He also garnered acclaim for his role as Alex Reed in "Reed Between the Lines," which co-starred Tracee Ellis Ross from 2011 to 2015.
More recently, Warner shone in roles such as Chuck Cooper in "Major Crimes," Julius Rowe in "Suits," and AJ Austin in "The Resident." His credits also include appearances in "9-1-1" and "Alert: Missing Persons Unit." His latest venture was a podcast called "Not All Hood," which he launched with two cohosts as a platform to address mental health barriers within the Black community.
In June of last year, he introduced the podcast alongside cohosts Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley, revealing to PEOPLE that it was a safe space for him to be his "most vulnerable." He shared, "It's been a transformative experience for me, because it's a place where I feel secure enough to expose my vulnerabilities. When discussing the Black community, we often oversimplify it, failing to recognize its diverse facets. Our podcast aims to explore, discuss, and acknowledge these various aspects."
Warner leaves behind a wife and a daughter, whose identities he chose to keep private.
