‘Cosby Show’ alum Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowns in Costa Rica

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who rose to fame playing Theo Huxtable on the long-running sitcom “The Cosby Show,” has died at age 54, authorities said Monday.

A representative for the Costa Rican National Police told ABC News that Warner drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday, and his official cause of death was listed as asphyxia. Police told the network Warner died near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica, when he got caught in a high current.

Warner portrayed Theo Huxtable throughout the run of “The Cosby Show,” which aired from 1984 to 1992 and was one of television’s top comedies, winning the Emmy for outstanding comedy series in 1985. Warner was nominated for an Emmy as best supporting actor in a comedy series in 1986.

Warner also starred alongside Eddie Griffin in the comedy series “Malcolm & Eddie” and in shows including “Jeremiah,” “Listen Up,” and “Reed Between the Lines.”

Warner is survived by a wife and daughter.