Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Death in Tragic Accident Shocks and Saddens Fans

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s sudden and tragic death at age 54 has shocked The Cosby Show star’s fans.

The actor, who is best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on the groundbreaking sitcom, “drowned while swimming” while in Costa Rica on a family vacation, PEOPLE reported Monday. Police told ABC News that Warner was caught by a high current in the water and that his official cause of death was determined to be asphyxia.

Following news of his death, Warner’s fans took to social media to mourn his passing, with one person commenting on social media, “RIP to the great Malcolm Jamal Warner, my generation grew up on him.” Another wrote, “Life’s too damn short! RIH Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” as a third commented, “Condolences to Malcolm Jamal Warner’s family, Theo was [a part] of America growing up.”

“RIP Malcolm-Jamal Warner. He was the best part of the Cosby show,” another person mourned. “Prayers to his family.” A different social media user added, “This is so heartbreaking, we all grew up watching Malcolm Jamal Warner on one show or another. This is so tragic.”

Warner’s recent Instagram posts became a makeshift memorial for the actor, as his followers paid their respects. “To a gentleman who gave us laughs for many years. May you rest in peace,” one person commented, as another wrote, “This one hurts.. I grew up on the Cosby show. It’s like personally losing an extended family member, a brother. What an exceptional man and an exceptional loss.” A third added, “Oh wow! Sincere condolences to his family and friends! I was a huge fan of his work on and off screen.”

Following his run on The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992, Warner went on to star in Malcolm & Eddie with Eddie Griffin from 1996 to 2000 before going on to appear as Alex Reed in Reed Between the Lines alongside Tracee Ellis Ross from 2011 to 2015.

In recent years, Warner appeared as Chuck Cooper in Major Crimes and as Julius Rowe in Suits as well as in the role of AJ Austin in The Resident. He most recently appeared on 9-1-1 and Alert: Missing Persons Unit, and was one of the hosts of the podcast Not All Hood.