“Working with Malcolm was a joy”: The Resident showrunners mourn Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s tragic death

Fans of The Resident and The Cosby Show woke up to devastating news on Monday, July 21, 2025, when reports confirmed that actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner had died at the age of 54. Many knew him best as Theo Huxtable, but he had built a second chapter in his career through shows like The Resident, where he played Dr AJ Austin. That role started as recurring but became one of the most important parts of the show. His storylines focused on the problems in the American healthcare system and showed a character who brought warmth and honesty into a high-stakes environment.

On the same day, the executive producers of The Resident, Amy Holden Jones, Todd Harthan, and Andrew Chapman, released a statement to Deadline about his death,

“Working with Malcolm was a joy. He was a fabulous actor and a stellar human being. He was larger than life, and brought a deep empathy and humanity to every scene. He was thoughtful, kind, and incredibly hard-working, a devoted family man with a dear wife and child. And if that weren’t enough, he made us laugh. Our condolences to all who loved him as we did. His death is a tragic loss and he will be missed,”

His co-star Morris Chestnut wrote in an Instagram post,

Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor. He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on.”

Shaunette Renée Wilson also posted a tribute saying,

Last week I had the impulse to text you for one of our lengthy heart check-ins. I truly wish I had so that one of the last words I had of you were of your wisdom, kindness, and that uncanny ability you had to be both unserious and profound within a single sentence. I’m beyond heartbroken. You were such a dear friend to me.".

The Resident's Malcolm-Jamal Warner passes away, here's what we know

Malcolm-Jamal Warner died on July 20, 2025, while on a family vacation in Costa Rica. He was 54. According to Costa Rica’s National Police, Warner drowned near the beach town of Cocles, located in the Limon Province. He was caught in a high current and pulled underwater.

Initial reports indicated that people on the beach tried to help, but by the time the Costa Rican Red Cross arrived, he had no vital signs. He was officially announced dead and taken to the local morgue. The confirmed cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning. Warner’s family was with him on the trip but has chosen to remain private. His wife's and daughter’s names have never been made public, and no further family statement has been released as of now.

Though many remember him first as Theo Huxtable from The Cosby Show, Warner had a long and wide-ranging career. He played Theo from 1984 to 1992, appearing in nearly 200 episodes. The role launched him into stardom at age 14 and earned him an Emmy nomination in 1986.

Theo wasn’t just a typical sitcom son. Warner gave the character a mix of charm and depth, helping The Cosby Show become a cultural landmark. The series changed how Black families were represented on television, and Warner was right in the middle of that shift.

Later in his career, Warner played AJ “The Raptor” Austin on The Resident, beginning as a recurring character in Season 1 and becoming a series regular by Season 2. He remained with the show through its final season, filming dozens of episodes. As Dr. Austin Warner, he brought a grounded and emotional presence to the hospital drama.

The character was a skilled cardiothoracic surgeon who stood out for being smart, compassionate, and honest. AJ’s storylines dealt with everything from medical ethics to personal loss. He was especially close to Dr. Mina Okafor, played by Shaunette Renée Wilson, and helped care for his adoptive mother, Carol Austin, during her illness. Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s work on The Resident was widely praised and reminded viewers of the range he still carried decades after The Cosby Show.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner had a long list of roles beyond his work on The Cosby Show and The Resident. He starred in Malcolm & Eddie from 1996 to 2000 and voiced The Producer in The Magic School Bus. He appeared in Suits as Julius Rowe and had major roles in Jeremiah and American Crime Story.

He also showed up in episodes of Major Crimes and directed for The Cosby Show, Malcolm & Eddie, and The Resident. In 2015, he won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance for a track with the Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway.

He was still working in 2025 and played Chief Inspector Bill Houston in the Fox drama Alert: Missing Persons Unit. His career ended suddenly with his death while he was still active in the industry. From his early years on NBC to his later roles in medical dramas and streaming series, he remained steady and serious. He built a legacy that held meaning.

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