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Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Cosby Show co-star Adam Sandler breaks silence on his tragic drowning death

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Adam Sandler recently honored the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner with a heartfelt tribute, expressing his feelings after Warner’s unfortunate passing due to drowning at the age of 54 in Costa Rica.

Sandler, aged 58, encountered Warner during their time together on The Cosby Show, where Sandler portrayed Smitty from 1987 to 1988. Later, the famous actor reminisced about his experiences with the young Theodore Huxtable star in an open conversation with ET.

It astonishes me. Malcolm was incredibly kind to me during our time on the show, and we shared some fantastic moments together.

Together, we’d often go for strolls, the whole group, grab some bites, chat, and even play basketball. We’d attend parties as a team.

I want to express that he was incredibly kind to me personally, and his mother was equally wonderful towards us. Sending warmest wishes to the entire family.

‘Malcolm was a true great person, a hilarious smart kid and he meant a lot to America.’

Adam Sandler remembers his time working with Malcolm-Jamal Warner on ‘The Cosby Show.’ 💔

— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) July 22, 2025

On a Costa Rican beach over the weekend, Warner tragically drowned with no lifeguards around, while another individual who was also part of the incident remains in a serious condition.

After the sudden passing of Warner, lifeguards from Playa Grande – a coastal community in Costa Rica – issued a statement explaining their absence was due to insufficient ‘resources.’

The Caribbean Guard, Costa Rica’s volunteer lifeguard group, expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner at Playa Grande. According to their Facebook post on Monday, he tragically lost his life due to drowning after being pulled away by a powerful rip current.

The events unfolded swiftly, and despite others on the shore rushing into the water to save him, they unfortunately arrived too late.

He was rescued from underwater with no signs of life, but even though CPR was administered on the shore, reviving him proved impossible.

The Guard stated that Playa Grande ranks among their toughest shorelines, drawing attention to the warning signs in both English and Spanish about the risk of drowning resulting in fatalities.

For several years, the Guard had been on duty in that area, but they claimed they weren’t present when the death of Warner occurred.

In a recent announcement, I mentioned that due to some unfortunate events happening at Playa Negra and Chiquita, both popular beaches with powerful undercurrents, we have decided to allocate our resources towards ensuring safety and security in these areas.

They then made an appeal to Costa Rica’s president, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, and the government.

As a deeply devoted admirer and volunteer lifeguard with Caribbean Guard, I passionately implore the esteemed President of our Nation, the national government, the honorable Municipality of Talamanca, and every cherished member of our Caribbean community: let us unite in our efforts to combat this alarming issue that is sadly escalating across our beloved country.

‘We are committed to doing all that’s possible within our capabilities. Over the past few years, our efforts have saved many lives, and if Caribbean Guard weren’t here, the number of drownings would likely be in the tens. We pour all our resources into reducing risks, but without government aid, clear policies, and robust support from local businesses, this tragedy will persist.’

According to the Red Cross, emergency personnel also treated a second person at the scene. 

A man, aged 35 but yet to be identified, was severely injured and rushed to a nearby hospital. His present situation is currently uncertain.

Last Sunday, the Costa Rican Red Cross got a call about a water-related emergency at Playa Grande in Cahuita, Limón. As a result, they dispatched three ambulances to the location, according to Us Weekly’s report.

The deceased, Warner, is being transferred from Limón to the San Joaquín de Flores Forensic Medicine Unit for a postmortem examination.

According to initial findings from Costa Rica’s Criminal Investigation Agency, it seems as though Warner may have entered the ocean and could have been carried away by a strong undertow.

At the incident site, emergency personnel from the Red Cross attended to and provided care for two individuals. One of them, a 35-year-old man yet unidentified, was transported urgently to a nearby hospital in a serious state.

Nevertheless, Warner underwent Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), yet he was declared deceased on the spot. An official representative verified that both individuals were associated with the same event.

Warner had been in Costa Rica since July 13.

According to the Costa Rican National Police, the body of Warner was found close to Cocles Beach, located in the Limón province.

It’s said that he was swept away by a powerful current, and the official cause of his passing has been noted as asphyxiation.

Although the specifics about the event are still uncertain, it’s important to mention that certain beaches in Costa Rica may present significant dangers under specific weather or tide conditions.

While some places are perfect for a swim, others have strong currents and riptides that require careful attention.

Warner leaves behind his spouse and a little girl who joined their family in 2017. At this time, their names are not disclosed publicly.

Warner gained significant recognition for his portrayal as Theodore Huxtable, the single son of Cliff Huxtable, on the popular NBC sitcom The Cosby Show. He graced the screen in every season from 1984 to 1992, receiving immense praise and establishing himself as a familiar face in many homes.

During that period, Warner, who was still a young teen, garnered significant praise for his act. This recognition even led to a nomination for the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 1986 Primetime Emmy Awards.

The character named Theo was modeled after Bill Cosby’s actual son, Ennis Cosby, and was skillfully played with both rich detail and tender emotion.

During his first year at New York University, Theo’s academic struggles led to a diagnosis of dyslexia, a storyline that struck a chord with numerous viewers.

Beyond The Cosby Show, Warner carved out a successful and diverse career in both comedy and drama.

I had the privilege of portraying Malcolm McGee in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996-2000), sharing the screen with the talented Eddie Griffin. Later on, from 2011 to 2015, I took center stage as Dr. Alex Reed in BET’s Reed Between the Lines.

In addition to his TV appearances, he was a regular cast member or made guest appearances on shows such as Sons of Anarchy, Jeremiah, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Community. Moreover, Warner provided the voice for the Producer character in the educational children’s series The Magic School Bus.

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2025-07-22 21:04

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