Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Star of ‘The Cosby Show,’ Passes Away at 54, Cause of Death Revealed

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on the popular show The Cosby Show, has passed away at the age of 54.

The news was reported by ABC News, which shared that Warner died near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica. According to the Costa Rican National Police, Warner’s body was found and officially identified by local authorities.

Warner’s death happened when he was caught in a strong ocean current, and the police said the official cause of death was asphyxia. This tragic event occurred on a Sunday while he was off the coast of Costa Rica.

Warner became famous for his role on The Cosby Show, which earned him a primetime Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy.

That role helped him build a long career in television. More recently, he acted as surgeon AJ Austin on the Fox medical drama The Resident and appeared in the courtroom drama Accused, also on Fox.

He also starred opposite Kyra Sedgwick in ABC’s Ten Days in the Valley and played A.C. Cowlings in FX’s American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson. Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Malcolm-Jamal Warner was named after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal.

His work didn’t stop at just acting. He appeared in many other TV shows like Sneaky Pete, Major Crimes, Suits, Community, Sons of Anarchy, The Michael J. Fox Show, The Cleaner, and Dexter. Warner also directed several episodes of popular shows including The Cosby Show, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Sesame Street.

In 2011, Warner both directed and starred alongside Tracee Ellis Ross in the BET series Reed Between the Lines. He also directed a video about HIV and AIDS awareness called Timeout: The Truth about HIV, AIDS, and You, which featured appearances from Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall.

Warner’s career extended beyond TV as he made his feature film debut in Paramount Pictures’ Drop Zone and appeared in Fools Gold alongside Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, and Donald Sutherland. On stage, he performed in several off-Broadway plays like Three Ways Home, Cryin’ Shame, Freefall, and a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the La Jolla Playhouse in California.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s passing is a loss felt by many fans and colleagues. His work in television, film, and theater left a strong mark on the entertainment world. The Costa Rican police and ABC News are the sources reporting the details of his death.

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