Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s last Instagram post goes viral after tragic drowning death at Costa Rica beach

COSTA RICA, CENTRAL AMERICA: Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo on 'The Cosby Show', died on Sunday, July 20, at the age of 54, in an accidental drowning off the coast of Costa Rica during a family trip.

The actor's cause of death was confirmed as asphyxiation due to drowning. Days before the tragedy, Warner shared powerful messages on his Instagram and podcast episode. 

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s message about ‘Be Love Day’ gains attention

On July 6, Malcolm-Jamal Warner shared a special post supporting 'Be Love Day,' which was observed on July 9.

The heartfelt message is now drawing emotional reactions following his tragic death. 

“Our World House needs for us to BE LOVE. Our collective holistic health depends on it. In 3 days…BE LOVE DAY,” wrote Warner on Instagram.

“Why? It’s going to be actionable, inspiring, and strategic - with virtual and in-person experiences. An interactive exploration and celebration of what LOVE can do in every area of our lives, including in our collaboration to create the #BelovedCommunity," he posted.

According to The King Center website, “BE LOVE is a growing movement of courageous acts to achieve justice, which we define based on these words from Dr Martin Luther King Jr."

"Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love. BE LOVE seeks to strategically define and unleash the true power of love to unite humanity, cultivate true peace, and create the Beloved Community.”

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s final podcast ‘Not All Hood’ explored Black culture

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s final Instagram posts focused on his podcast 'Not All Hood', launched in 2024, with episodes released as recently as Friday, July 18.

The project aimed to “explore the vast and diverse experiences of the Black community,” Warner told People at the time.

He also said it was an "interesting experience for me, because it's a place where I feel safe enough to be able to be as vulnerable as I allow myself to be.”

In his last podcast episode, his co-hosts were Weusi Barak and Candace Kelley, and the podcast worked to break stigma around mental health, while celebrating Black love and representation in the media.

In the episode, he spoke about a conversation with a friend regarding Arlington National Cemetery allegedly removing information about Black soldiers.

“I said, ‘But if you take away the fact that they’re Black, you’re taking away the whole history of a point where they wouldn’t let Black men become soldiers. You’re taking away everything that Black soldiers had to do to persevere,” Warner said during the podcast. 

"Black soldiers are hands-down the most patriotic people walking this Earth because Black military, these people are fighting for freedoms that they don't even get to enjoy," he said.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner said ‘Black survival in of itself is Black excellence'

Reflecting on his changing perspective, Malcolm-Jamal Warner said, “Black excellence now is attributed to fame and money, so that’s been my issue with it. But now when I’m looking into the story, Black survival in of itself is Black excellence.”

Later in the same episode, Warner shared his thoughts on the challenges faced by Black communities, suggesting they were playing in an "uneven playing field" in society.

“Everything that we have to muster, all of our resources — whether it be spiritual, whether it be relational, whether it be political to whatever extent — everything that we have had to muster just to play on this playing field is what makes us rich as Black people, as Black culture,” Warner said.

Warner is survived by his wife and daughter.