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

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Adam Sandler has paid an emotional tribute to tragic Malcolm-Jamal Warner following his death by drowning in Costa Rica aged 54.
Sandler, 58, crossed paths with Warner on The Cosby Show, where he played Smitty between 1987-1988 - and the Hollywood star reflected on his memories with the Theodore Huxtable star in a candid chat with ET.
He said: 'I can't believe it. Malcolm was so nice to me when I was on the show and we had such good times together.
'We would take walks together, all of us, pick up food, talk play basketball - got to parties together.
'He was so good to me as a person and his mom was amazing to us, and I'm just sending my love to the 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.' 💔 pic.twitter.com/1UOJmN05WX
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) July 22, 2025
Warner drowned on a Costa Rican beach on Sunday without lifeguards present, and a second man involved in the same incident was left in a critical condition.
Following Warner's shock death, lifeguards from Playa Grande — a beach community located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica — released a statement saying they were not present due to lack of 'resources.'
'We deeply regret the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner at Playa Grande. He was swept away by a strong rip current and died by drowning,' the Caribbean Guard, Costa Rica's volunteer lifeguard association, shared via Facebook on Monday.
'It all happened very quickly, and although there were people on the beach who entered the water to rescue him, they did not arrive in time.'
'He was pulled from underwater without vital signs, and despite CPR maneuvers being performed on the beach, resuscitation was unsuccessful.'
The Guard added that Playa Grande is one of their 'most challenging beaches,' noting the presence of signs in English and Spanish that warn of the 'danger of death due to drowning.'
Though the Guard has patrolled there 'over the past few years,' they alleged that they were 'not present' at the time of Warner's death.
'Due to recent aquatic incidents in Playa Negra, we had redirected resources there and to Chiquita, another iconic beach known for its strong currents,' they shared in the statement.
Following Warner's shock death at 54, lifeguards from Playa Grande released a statement saying they were not present due to lack of 'resources'
They then made an appeal to Costa Rica's president, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, and the government.
'From Caribbean Guard, a volunteer lifeguard association, we make an urgent appeal to the President of the Nation, the national government, the Municipality of Talamanca, and the entire Caribbean community to continue joining forces to minimize this problem, which, sadly, is on the rise ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.'
'We do everything within our reach. We have saved numerous lives in recent years, and if Caribbean Guard didn't exist, the number of drownings would be counted in dozens. We give everything we have to minimize the risks, but without help from the government, clear public policies, and strong support from local business owners, this will continue to happen.'
According to the Red Cross, emergency personnel also treated a second person at the scene.
An unidentified 35-year-old man was transported to a local clinic in critical condition, and his current status remains unknown.
According to the Red Cross, emergency personnel also treated a second person at the scene. An unidentified 35-year-old man was transported to a local clinic in critical condition, and his current status remains unknown; Warner seen in 2023
Warner is survived by his wife and young daughter, born in 2017
On Sunday, the Costa Rican Red Cross received a 9-1-1 alert about a water incident at Playa Grande, Cahuita, Limón. In response, three ambulances were sent to the scene, as per Us Weekly.
Warner's body has been moved from Limón to the Forensic Medicine Unit in San Joaquín de Flores where an autopsy will be conducted.
Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department told Us Weekly that their preliminary investigation indicated Warner 'appeared to have entered the sea and was apparently swept away by a current.'
Emergency responders from the Red Cross treated two men at the scene. A 35-year-old man, who hasn't been identified, was taken to a local clinic in critical condition.
Warner, however, received CPR but was pronounced dead at the scene. A spokesperson confirmed both men were 'involved in the same incident.'
Warner had been in Costa Rica since July 13.
The Costa Rican National Police reported that Warner's body was discovered near Cocles, a beach in the Limon province.
He was reportedly caught by a strong current, and his official cause of death has been listed as asphyxia.
While the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, experts note that some beaches in Costa Rica can pose serious risks depending on conditions.
Though many areas are safe for swimming, others are known for powerful currents and rip tides that demand caution.
Warner is survived by his wife and young daughter, born in 2017. Their identities have not been revealed.
Warner was best known for his iconic role as Theodore Huxtable, the only son of Cliff Huxtable, on the beloved NBC sitcom The Cosby Show. He appeared in all eight seasons from 1984 to 1992, earning widespread acclaim and becoming a household name.
At the time, Warner was just a teenager, but his performance earned widespread acclaim, including a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 1986 Primetime Emmy Awards.
His character, Theo, was based on Bill Cosby's real-life son, Ennis Cosby, and was portrayed with depth and sensitivity.
In the show, Theo is diagnosed with dyslexia after struggling academically during his freshman year at New York University—an arc that resonated with many viewers.
Beyond The Cosby Show, Warner carved out a successful and diverse career in both comedy and drama.
He starred as Malcolm McGee in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000) opposite Eddie Griffin, and later headlined BET's Reed Between the Lines from 2011 to 2015 as Dr. Alex Reed.
His television credits also included recurring roles and guest appearances on shows like Sons of Anarchy, Jeremiah, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Community. Warner also voiced the Producer character on the educational children's series The Magic School Bus.