Volunteers Save Warner’s Daughter in Honduras Rip Current; Actor Unable to Be Revived

By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

July 25, 2025 – Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor beloved for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, tragically died over the weekend while vacationing with his family in Roatán, Honduras.

Authorities confirm Warner and his daughter were caught in a deadly rip current while swimming at a popular beach.  Bystanders and volunteers were able to pull his daughter to safety, but when they returned for Warner, he had already succumbed to the water.  Though CPR was attempted on the beach, the 54-year-old actor could not be revived.

The Costa Rican Red Cross and Caribbean Guard confirmed there were no active lifeguards on duty at the beach that day due to reallocation of resources, and despite warning signs, the powerful currents led to Warner’s untimely death (People.com, Page Six, New York Post).

Born in Jersey City, Warner rose to fame as Bill Cosby’s on-screen son from 1984 to 1992, earning an Emmy nomination.  He built a dynamic career with leading roles in Malcolm & Eddie, voicing “The Producer” on The Magic School Bus, and starring in Reed Between the Lines and The Resident.  A talented musician and Grammy winner, he notably earned the 2015 Grammy for “Jesus Children” alongside Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway (Los Angeles Times, Wikipedia, ElHuffPost).

Warner was also a director—working on All That, Kenan & Kel, and The Fresh Prince of Bel‑Air—a published poet, and co-host of the podcast Not All Hood.  Off-screen, he was a devoted husband and father, his life and legacy remembered by Regina King, Raven‑Symoné, Kelly Ripa, Beyoncé, and co-stars including Tracee Ellis Ross, Eddie Griffin, and Angela Bassett (Cinemablend, CBS News).  Jaleel White recalled Warner as both a “respected industry peer and role model” (New York Post).

Bill Cosby, who found in Warner something of a beloved son, expressed deep grief—drawing parallels between this loss and his late son Ennis—and affirmed their enduring bond (The Sun, New York Post).

From teenage TV star to multi-talented artist and cultural icon, Warner’s impact stretches far beyond his time on screen.  A staple in homes worldwide, he challenged the boundaries of Black representation on television and inspired countless viewers and peers who saw in him both promise and integrity (The Guardian, Wikipedia).

He leaves behind his wife and daughter, whose identities he kept private to protect them.  Family and fans are calling for stricter beach safety in Costa Rica, while Hollywood mourns a gentle soul gone too soon.

We’ll continue to share updates as friends, family, and the nation remember his extraordinary life and enduring legacy.