'The Cosby Show' star Malcolm-Jamal Warner dead at 54 from accidental drowning

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“The Cosby Show” star Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died at 54, TMZ reported Monday.

A source confirmed Warner’s death to People. The insider claimed Warner was in Costa Rica on a family vacation and drowned while swimming.

Costa Rican National Police told ABC News that Warner drowned near Cocles. They claimed he was caught by a high current in the water and was found Sunday afternoon.

Warner’s cause of death was asphyxia, according to the police.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Malcolm-Jamal Warner Getty Images

The Post has reached out to Warner’s rep and the Costa Rican National Police for comment.

Warner played Theodore “Theo” Huxtable, son of Bill Cosby’s Cliff Huxtable, on the NBC sitcom from 1984 to 1992.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable

Warner as Theodore ‘Theo’ Huxtable. NBCUniversal via Getty Images

In 2021, Warner exclusively spoke to The Post about the legacy of “The Cosby Show” following Cosby’s sex assault conviction that was later overturned.

“I can understand why some people can’t watch the show and enjoy it because of everything that’s going on now,” Warner told The Post. “But I think … there’s a generation of young people who have pursued higher education or have started loving families because of the influence of that show.”

Malcolm-Jamar Warner as Theo Huxtable

Malcolm-Jamar Warner NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Bill Cosby in "The Cosby Show"

Warner and Bill Cosby in “The Cosby Show.” NBCUniversal via Getty Images

“So it’s kind of like, you can’t discount its impact on television culture and American culture,” he added.

Warner was born in Jersey City, N.J., Aug. 18, 1970. He was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. His career began as a child performer, and he attended the Professional Children’s School in New York City.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner at  SCAD aTVfest 2020

Warner at SCAD aTVfest 2020. Getty Images for SCAD aTVfest 2020

Warner auditioned for the role of Theo on the last day of the show’s nationwide search and was selected by Cosby, per Variety.

He starred alongside Cosby, Phylicia Rashad as Clair Huxtable, Sabrina Le Beauf as Sondra Huxtable, Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable, Tempestt Bledsoe as Vanessa Huxtable and Keshia Knight Pulliam as Rudy Huxtable.

He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1986, the same year he hosted an episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

The cast of "The Cosby Show."

The cast of “The Cosby Show.” NBCUniversal via Getty Images

After “The Cosby Show,” Warner starred in the UPN sitcom “Malcolm & Eddie” alongside Eddie Griffin from 1996 to 2000, followed by the BET sitcom “Reed Between the Lines” from 2011 to 2015.

Warner’s other notable acting credits included “Here and Now,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Jeremiah,” “Listen Up,” “Community,” “Sons of Anarchy,” “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” “American Crime Story,” “Suits” and “9-1-1.”

From 2018 to 2023, Warner played Dr. AJ Austin on “The Resident.” He also directed an episode of the Fox medical show.

Malcolm Jamal Warner with Bill Cosby in a scene from "The Cosby Show"

Warner and Cosby in a scene from “The Cosby Show.” Corbis via Getty Images

Malcolm-Jamal Warner  attends an Emmys afterparty in 2016

Warner at an Emmys after-party in 2016. Getty Images

Warner was also the voice of the Producer character on “The Magic School Bus.”

Most recently, Warner appeared in three episodes of Fox’s “Alert: Missing Persons Unit” that aired earlier this year.

Outside of acting, Warner won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his song “Jesus Children” with Robert Glasper featuring Lalah Hathaway in 2015.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner at Step 2 Presents 6th Annual Celebrity Red CARpet Safety Awareness Event in 2017

Warner in 2017. Alberto E. Rodriguez

In January, he started the podcast “Not All Hood” with Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley that “takes a provocative look at the vastly different lived experiences and identities of blacks in America.”

Warner dated Michelle Thomas, who played his girlfriend on “The Cosby Show.” Thomas died in 1998 of a desmoplastic tumor at 30.

He was also in relationships with actresses Karen Malina White from 2000 to 2007 and Regina King from 2011 to 2013.

Warner is survived by his wife and daughter, whom he chose to keep private.