INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the Emmy-nominated actor and Grammy-winning poet and musician, has died at the age of 54 after drowning in Costa Rica during a family vacation.

Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” was also celebrated for his musical talents, performing with his band Miles Long and singer Saycon Senblogh.

The Cabaret in Indianapolis, where Warner performed in September as part of the Indy Jazz Fest, released a statement expressing their heartbreak over his untimely death.

“All of us at The Cabaret are heartbroken by the untimely passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. While he was widely celebrated for his groundbreaking work in television, we were honored to witness another dimension of his artistry when he graced our stage in partnership with Indy Jazz Fest 2024. His soulful bass playing and poetic lyricism left a lasting impression, captivating our audience just as his acting has inspired generations.”

Warner’s performance at the Indy Jazz Fest showcased his skills as a soulful bass player and poet. He was known for speaking to schools about self-love and self-care, sharing his experiences and insights with students.

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department confirmed that Warner drowned at a beach during his vacation.

This story was created from a script aired on WISH-TV. This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.

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