‘The Cosby Show’ star remembered as a trailblazing talent and cultural icon.
Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54.
His manager confirmed the news to ABC News on Sunday, saying Warner passed away on Saturday in Los Angeles following a short illness. No further details were released.
“Malcolm was more than an actor—he was a pioneer, a poet, and a powerful presence in every room,” his manager told to ABC News. “We’re heartbroken.”
Warner’s role as Theo Huxtable made him a household name through the 1980s and ’90s, standing out for his natural charm, comedic timing, and undeniable relatability. He was just 14 when he landed the role, and he played it through all eight seasons of the groundbreaking NBC sitcom, which aired from 1984 to 1992.
Alongside Bill Cosby and the rest of the Huxtable family, Warner helped redefine what Black family life looked like on American TV—smart, funny, and full of heart.
But Warner’s career didn’t end there.
He continued working steadily in TV and music, with roles in shows like Reed Between the Lines, The Resident, Suits, and The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. He even picked up an Emmy in 2015 for narrating the PBS special The Power of Words.
Off-screen, Warner was also a poet and jazz bassist, performing with his band and releasing spoken-word albums. In a 2016 interview with Essence, he said, “I never wanted to be just that kid from The Cosby Show. I’ve always had more to say.”
Tributes have been pouring in since the news broke.
Actress Tempestt Bledsoe, who played his on-screen sister Vanessa Huxtable, posted on Instagram: “I’m shattered. Malcolm was my brother in every way. Funny, brilliant, and endlessly kind.”
Fans online are mourning the loss of a TV legend who helped shape an era. On X (formerly Twitter), @PopBase wrote, “Malcolm-Jamal Warner brought us all into the Huxtable living room and made us feel seen. Rest easy, Theo.”
‘The Cosby Show’ star Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died at 54 from an accidental drowning, TMZ reports. pic.twitter.com/GqFst7m3I3
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 21, 2025
Warner had recently been filming for an upcoming season of The Resident, according to Deadline. It’s unclear how the series will address his passing.
He is survived by his partner and young daughter, whose names have not been released publicly.
The family has asked for privacy during this time and said they’ll announce memorial plans soon.