Malcolm-Jamal Warner of 'The Cosby Show' dies in accidental drowning

(NEXSTAR) – Malcolm-Jamal Warner, well-known for playing Theodore Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," has died.

The 54-year-old died by drowning, per TMZ, which was first to report on his passing. A source also confirmed Warner's death to PEOPLE, saying he had been swimming on vacation with his family in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department said Monday that Warner drowned Sunday afternoon on a beach on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. He was swimming at Playa Grande de Cocles in Limon province when a current pulled him deeper into the ocean.

“He was rescued by people on the beach,” the department's initial report said, but first responders from Costa Rica’s Red Cross found him without vital signs and he was taken to the morgue.

Nexstar reached out to Warner's representatives and authorities in Costa Rica but did not immediately receive a response.

While he had roles before playing Theodore Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," it was arguably his most iconic. Warner told PEOPLE in 2023 that, despite how some have felt toward the show in light of allegations made against his on-screen father, Bill Cosby, he and other members of the cast are still proud of the show.

"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 that had such a profound impact on — first and foremost, Black culture — but also American culture," Warner told the outlet.

The New Jersey native was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for his role on "The Cosby Show," as well as a Young Artist Award. He won three of the latter — two for best young supporting actor in a television series, and one for best young actor/actress ensemble in a television comedy, drama series, or special alongside his show siblings.

After appearing as Theo for nearly 200 episodes on the hit television series, Warner had roles in films like "Drop Zone," "Restaurant" and "Fool's Gold," and on several TV shows, including "Malcom & Eddie," "Reed Between the Lines," "Sons of Anarchy," "American Horror Story," "Key and Peele," "Major Crimes," "The Magic School Bus," and "Suits." He also appeared in nearly 100 episodes of "The Resident" as AJ Austin.

In 2015, Warner won the Grammy for best traditional R&B performance for the song "Jesus Children" alongside Lalah Hathaway and Robert Glasper.

Warner's most recent on-screen credits include appearing in episodes of "Alert: Missing Persons Unit" and "9-1-1," his IMDb page shows.

Last summer, Warner began co-hosting the "Not All Hood" podcast with Weusi Baraka and Candace Kelley. The podcast "takes a provocative look at the vastly different lived experiences and identities of Blacks in America."

Warner was married with a daughter, but chose not to publicly disclose their names.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.