The Cosby Show’s Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played the iconic Theodore Huxtable, opened up on how he hoped to be remembered just two months before his accidental death by drowning

Malcolm’s accidental drowning happened when he was swimming in the ocean(Image: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Cosby star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 54, spoke about how he hoped to be remembered after he died, just two months before his sudden death in an accidental drowning while on vacation in Costa Rica.

The Cosby Show star, who had a complex relationship with Bill Crosby, tragically drowned when a current pulled him under while he was swimming in the ocean. He was rescued by people on the beach, but was declared “lifeless at the scene”. Costa Rican National Police later confirmed to ABC that the official cause of death was asphyxia.

Just two months before his death, Malcolm-Jamal appeared on the Hot & Bothered podcast with Melyssa Ford, where he spoke about his legacy. He said: “I will be able to leave this earth knowing and people knowing that I was a good person. “

Adding: “My dad said to me often, ‘You know people love you, and people [are] always talking about your career and your success and all of that, but what really makes me the most proud is that you are a good person.”

Cosby star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 54, gave a tragic death admission on how he hoped to be remembered (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The actor also spoke about his career and how he wished his experience in Hollywood would have a lasting impact. The actor is famous for his success in The Cosby Show, where he played Theodore Huxtable on the NBC sitcom, as well as roles in Reed Between the Lines and The Resident.

Malcolm also said: “I remember my mother said to me one time that, ‘Mr. Cosby gave you immortality,’ so I know on one lane there’s legacy there. But then, because I’ve had this full life after that show, there’s another lane of legacy that I get to leave.”

Reflecting on his life, he also wanted people to learn important lessons from his experiences. He said he hoped to show people: “with all of the darkness in the world, it is possible to maintain your soul and be a good person.”

The 54-year-old also spoke about his career and how he wished his experience in Hollywood would have a lasting impact. (Image: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

Following the sad news of the actor’s passing, his friends and family rushed to send their tributes to the star.

Tracee Ellis Ross, who starred opposite him on Reed Between the Lines, said: “What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”

One fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “That man gave us one of the greatest scenes in the history of television. I cannot even believe this. I am over here SOBBING! Rest in poetry, Malcolm Jamal Warner.

Following the sad news of the actor’s passing, his friends and family rushed to send their tributes to the star(Image: WireImage)

Another fan penned: “I think what hurts most about Malcolm Jamal Warner is that he was a GOOD person. A good human being. You never heard anything negative about him.”