Theo from The Cosby Show is gone — Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowned during a family trip to Costa Rica, leaving behind a wife, daughter, and decades of TV work.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor best known for playing Theo on “The Cosby Show,” has died at the age of 54. Warner reportedly died during a family trip.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner in the SiriusXM Studios in New York City on June 11, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
According to local press, Warner drowned on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at around 2 p.m. in a beach in Cocles de Limón, Costa Rica. Authorities arrived shortly thereafter to process the scene.
Warner reportedly entered the sea and was subsequently dragged by strong currents. Witnesses rushed to help, but were unable to save him. By the time the Red Cross arrived, he was already unresponsive.
His body was transported to the morgue and will be subject to a routine autopsy. Warner was survived by his wife and daughter, whose names he always chose to keep private.
Warner first rose to fame playing Theo Huxtable, the only son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable in “The Cosby Show.”
Malcolm Jamal-Warner as Theo Huxtable in a promotional photo for The Cosby Show, c. 1990. | Source: Getty Images
The character was reportedly inspired by Bill Cosby’s real-life only son, Ennis Cosby. Both Ennis and Theo suffered from dyslexia, and both would eventually overcome it to be successful professionals.
He would go on to play Theo for 197 episodes between 1984 and 1992. As the show became a massive, international success, he became a household name for millions of people tuning in every week.
Cast of “The Cosby Show” in promotional photo, c. 1994. | Source: Getty Images
After the end of the show, Warner had starring roles in shows like the buddy comedy “Malcolm & Eddie,” where he played the titular Malcolm McGee for five seasons and 89 episodes.
He also played Alex Reed in “Reed Between the Lines,” alongside Tracee Ellis Ross. He starred in 29 episodes over four seasons, between 2011 and 2015.
More recently, Warner had guest spots in “Grown-ish,” “The Wonder Years,” “Suits,” “9-1-1,” and “Alert: Missings Persons Unit,” among many more.
After Bill Cosby was the subject of several sexual assault allegations, a 2018 conviction — overturned in 2021 — and then five new allegations, many saw remembered the show under a different light.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner guest starring on “Alert: Missing Persons Unit,” first aired on April 1, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
Warner’s experience and memory of his time on the show didn’t change, though. In 2023, he told People:
“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”.
Still image from episode 10 of “The Cosby Show,” featuring Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Bill Cosby, Keshia Knight Pullman, and Tempestt Bledsoe, c. 1985. | Source: Getty Images
Regarding his personal life, Warner was a deeply private man. He consistently opted not to reveal the identity of his wife or daughter, preferring to safeguard their privacy instead.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family at this difficult time.
Warner’s approach to family and privacy was rare among celebrities. However, decades before becoming a husband and father, Warner had a first love — one that was far more public-facing, and with a tragic end.
Born to musician Dennis “D.T.” Thomas and actress Phynjuar Thomas, Michelle Thomas was fated for a career in entertainment from the start.
Late actress Michelle Thomas on the set of “Family Matters” on September 16, 1996 | Photo: Getty Images
Michelle started going to her mom’s theater performances and attended several of her father’s concert tours at a young age. By 1983, she appeared in multiple television commercials across the country. Five years later, she met Warner.
Michelle and Warner met while appearing as costars on the hit NBC series “The Cosby Show.” There, they acted as the on-screen couple, Theodore Huxtable and Justine Phillips.
Image of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Conrad McKethan and Michelle Thomas on Instagram | Photo: Images/malcolmjamalwar
With the chemistry between the duo, it came as no surprise that they took their relationship off the screen. Even after Michelle left the show in 1990, her romance with Warner remained.
Describing the pair’s relationship, Michelle’s mother called Warner the love of her daughter’s life, adding that she believes he was her only real boyfriend.
But as with most love stories, Michelle and Warner had their fair share of troubles. The pair eventually broke up in 1994 but remained close friends till the very end.
Shortly after leaving “The Cosby Show,” Michelle joined the cast of “Family Matters” after she was cast as Myra Monkhouse, the love interest of Jaleel White’s character Steve Urkel.
Late actress Michelle Thomas and Jaleel White on the set of “Family Matters” | Photo: Getty Images
After “Family Matters” came to an end in 1998, Michelle landed another role as Callie, an aspiring singer in the decades-long series “The Young and The Restless.”
Speaking about the actress’ time on the show, Warner explained that it was a breath of fresh air for her because she finally got a chance to show fans that there was more to her than her roles in “Family Matters” and “The Cosby Show.”
Jaleel White shares an image of Michelle Thomas on his Instagram page | Photo: Instagram/jaleelwhite
According to Warner, Michelle finally got a chance to be sexy. But that would not last for too long as the actress was forced to take a medical leave in October 1998.
In August 1997, a year before getting cast as Callie, Michelle was diagnosed with Intra-abdominal Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor. A lemon-sized tumor was then removed from her abdomen, and doctors were almost confident she would make a full recovery.
But in October 1998, Michelle had to undergo emergency surgery after doctors discovered that a second cancerous growth had ruptured.
Despite having just had surgery, Michelle got on a plane and went home to spend Thanksgiving with her family and loved ones. Michelle crawled into her mom’s bed on getting home, and Phynjuar recalled the actress staying there for a long time.
Michelle Thomas arriving at the Annual Soul Train Music Awards on March 7, 1997 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Kahdijah Bell, a longtime friend of Michelle who also doubled as her publicist, noted that even in her last days, the actress continued making jokes, trying to keep everybody in good spirits.
Michelle’s health deteriorated in the following weeks, and she was soon moved to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. There, she spent her last days.
Picture of Malcolm-Jamal Warner on Instagram | Photo: Instagram/malcolmjamalwar
Warner, who had been informed of Michelle’s worsening health situation, flew from New York to Los Angeles to be by her bedside. A day before her death, Michelle whispered “Elephant juice,” two words that have similar lip movement with “I Love You” when mouthed, to Warner.
It was a practice they had done frequently while dating, and now, in her final moments, Michelle thought it was only fitting to do it one more time.
On December 23, 1998, Michelle passed away while surrounded by family, childhood friends, and loved ones. She was aged 30.
The actress was buried the day after Christmas following a Muslim funeral service. Till today, Michelle is still remembered by many of her former costars and all who loved her.
Picture of Malcolm-Jamal Warner on Instagram | Photo: Instagram/malcolmjamalwar
Though Warner was undoubtedly left devastated by Michelle’s death, he managed to move past the pain. The actor went on to create a beautiful life for himself.
In June 2017, Warner became a first-time dad, and interestingly, it was Michelle’s mother, Phynjuar, who confirmed the news to a media publication.
Warner was reportedly married to an attorney from Bridgeport, Connecticut. Since becoming a dad, he frequently gave fans glimpses into bonding moments with his daughter, albeit always ensuring her face wasn’t visible.
From a 90s sitcom child star to a proud father and accomplished actor, Warner came a long way in life. Now, his family — and millions of fans — can only mourn his passing.
