Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on the iconic 1980s sitcom The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54. He drowned while swimming off the coast of Costa Rica, according to reports. The actor rose to global fame as the cool, charming son of Bill Cosby's character in the groundbreaking series, which ran from 1985 to 1992.
The Cosby Show depicted an affluent African American family in Brooklyn, New York, and was a major television phenomenon. Warner auditioned for the role of Theo at age 13, standing only 5ft 5in — far shorter than the 6ft 2in the producers initially sought. After an initial audition that Cosby found too 'smart-alecky,' Warner was given a second chance and became a beloved teen role model, even writing a book, Theo and Me: Growing Up Okay, in 1988. The series ended with Theo's graduation from New York University.
Following The Cosby Show, Warner remained active in television, starring in sitcoms such as Malcolm & Eddie (1996-2000) and Reed Between the Lines (2011-15), and in dramas including Jeremiah, Major Crimes, Suits, and The Resident. He also directed episodes of several shows and music videos. In 2013, he won a Grammy for his spoken-word contribution to a cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Jesus Children of America,' recorded as a memorial to the Sandy Hook shooting victims.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He began his acting career with guest roles on Matt Houston and Fame before landing the role of Theo. Warner had expressed sadness that the legacy of The Cosby Show was tarnished by sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby, saying in 2015, 'The legacy can't help but be tarnished.'
