Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 54, Dead After Tragic Event

Malcolm-Jamal Warner joined the list of celebrities who died in 2025 when it was announced by multiple outlets that he died from drowning. According to a source who spoke to People, the tragic event occurred while Warner was on vacation with his family in Costa Rica. ABC News later confirmed with the Costa Rican National Police that Warner officially died from asphyxia. After the news broke, fans flocked to his Instagram page to express their disbelief, as he had posted only days before his death. "I so hope you post and it's not true," one follower commented as many others struggled to come to grips with the news.

Warner, of course, was best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on "The Cosby Show" and for his work on the sitcom "Malcolm & Eddie." Despite how the sexual misconduct allegations against Bill Cosby tarnished the series, Warner was still "proud" of his work on "The Cosby Show," as he told People in an interview from February 2023. "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," Warner told the outlet.

The television vet enjoyed a consistent career and had most recently appeared on episodes of "Alert: Missing Persons Unit" and a four-episode arc on "9-1-1." He also had other ventures, such as his podcast, which left fans in shock following his death. 

Long after his days on "The Cosby Show" ended, the actor kept busy, including in his personal life; Malcolm-Jamal Warner famously dated Regina King in the early 2010s. In 2024, Warner was cast to play against type on a character arc for "9-1-1," where he was slated to be a bad guy. "I was thinking I was coming in, I was going to be the villain," he told Collider in April. "I get to come in, there's this evil streak, I get to be like the mad villain," he added. Eventually, the character was changed to make him more sympathetic, but the casting showed Warner's versatility as an actor.

Along with his acting projects, Warner had the "Not All Hood" podcast. The most recent "NAH" episode dropped on July 18, only days before his untimely demise. Similar to the reactions on social media, listeners were incredulous to learn of Warner's passing. "Man, just like that he's gone?" one YouTuber commented. Clearly, Warner's sudden death came as a shock to his fanbase.