As the news broke on July 21, 2025, that actor Malcolm Jamal-Warner had died at age 54 in an accidental drowning, per the Associated Press, celebrities and fans expressed shock and sadness. Hallmark star Holly Robinson-Peete was among those stunned by the loss, sharing on Instagram that she was “struggling to process” the news.
“Malcolm was so deeply loved, respected, and a true icon of television,” Robinson Peete wrote of the actor, who skyrocketed to fame as Theo on “The Cosby Show” in the 1980s.
“We first met in the ’80s on the set of The Cosby Show,” Robinson Peete recalled, “where my dad was a writer/producer and remained friends throughout the years. He was always gracious, kind, funny and gave the absolute best hugs. I am sending my deepest condolences to his mom, Pamela and his family…”
Fans Express Their Shock on Holly Robinson Peete’s Tribute to Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Posting a throwback photo of herself with Warner, Robinson Peete wrote, “We aren’t ready to say goodbye, Malcolm —but you lived with purpose, character, presence, and grace. Rest well, my friend. Your light lives on…😢😢😢😢😢”
Fans flooded Robinson Peete’s post with hundreds of comments to express their sadness, with many calling the news “heartbreaking.”
“Such a beautiful tribute Holly,” one wrote. “I feel that he truly belonged to all us Gen X’ers. Rest in peace Malcolm. Our Theo 🙏🏾💔🥺”
“An entire generation is hurting right now,” another wrote.
Someone else commented, “Taking deep breaths, because this is hard. Middle school, high school, college, young adulthood, middle age… Every stage of my life he was in a scene. 💔”
In 2023, during an interview with Bevy Smith about “The Cosby Show,” Warner said, “There’s a generation of us who went to college, they sought out higher education because of that show. There’s a generation of us that went and got married and had loving relationships with each other and their children because of that show. That impact is irreversible.”
Costa Rica Authorities Say Malcolm-Jamal Warner Died While Swimming in Costa Rica
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for SCAD aTVfest 2020According to the AP, authorities in Costa Rica said Warner drowned on the afternoon of July 20 while at a beach on the Caribbean coast. They reported that Warner was swimming at Playa Cocles in Limon when he was pulled deeper into the ocean by a strong current.
A source confirmed to People that Warner was on a family vacation when he drowned.
“He was rescued by people on the beach,” a report from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department stated, per the AP.
Costa Rican National Police told ABC News that Warner’s official cause of death was asphyxia. The outlet reported that Warner was formally identified by police.
Most recently, Warner starred in FOX’s medical drama “The Resident” for five of the show’s six seasons and launched the “Not All Hood” podcast in 2024.
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Holly Robinson Peete ‘Struggling to Process’ Losing Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Her Touching Tribute