Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theodore Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” has died at age 54, TMZ reports.
According to PEOPLE, Warner drowned while swimming on vacation with his family in Costa Rica.
Warner rose to fame as Theo Huxtable on NBC’s hit sitcom “The Cosby Show,” which aired from 1984 to 1992. He also starred in UPN’s “Malcolm & Eddie” (1996–2000), “Reed Between the Lines” (2011, 2015), and appeared on FX’s “Sons of Anarchy” in 2014.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was raised by his mother Pamela, who managed his career. Named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, he was enrolled in acting classes early on and graduated from The Professional Children’s School in New York City.
He landed the role of Theo Huxtable after auditioning on the final day of a nationwide search and was personally chosen by Bill Cosby.
More recently, Warner hosted the podcast “Not All Hood,” with his latest episode released just three days before his death.
Warner was in a relationship with actress Regina King from 2011 to 2013. He also dated Michelle Thomas, who played his girlfriend on “The Cosby Show” and passed away from cancer in 1998; he was by her side during her final days.
He is survived by his wife and daughter, whose identities he kept private.
