The Cosby Show cast is mourning the loss of one of their own. Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played the role of Theodore “Theo” in the show, died in July 2025 following an accidental drowning in Costa Rica. He was 54 years old and is survived by a wife and daughter.
For those wondering where the rest of The Cosby Show cast has been, here’s an update on the former co-stars.
Bill Cosby (“Cliff Huxtable”)
In 2018, Bill Cosby was found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. The disgraced comedian was convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault and sentenced to three to 10 years in a Pennsylvania state prison. Dozens of women have accused Cosby of a range of assaults – from rape, sexual battery, or sexual misconduct.
Bill was behind bars until his conviction was vacated in June 2021 by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania because the actor’s 5th Amendment and 14th Amendment due process rights had been violated. However, in 2022, Bill was found liable for sexually assaulting Judy Huth when she was 16 years old.
Phylicia Rashad (“Clair Huxtable”)
Considered one of the most prominent “moms” on television (and one of the most high-profile Black mothers in pop culture), Phylicia Rashad brought structure and stability to The Cosby Show as Clair Huxtable. After The Cosby Show’s final episode in 1992, she returned to the stage. She made history in 2004. Her performance as Lena Younger in a revival of A Raisin In the Sun won her the Tony for Best Leading Actress In A Play, the first Black actress to do so, according to Today. She continues to act (and gain critical acclaim), securing Emmy nominations for her role as Carole Clarke in This Is Us.
Lisa Bonet (“Denise Huxtable”)
The iconic headstrong Denise Huxtable was brought to life by Lisa Bonet, and shortly after her debut on The Cosby Show, Denise became the show’s most popular character. As Denise, Lisa was given her own spin-off, A Different World, but her performance in the first season received mixed reviews. Ahead of season two, Lisa and then-husband Lenny Kravitz announced that they were expecting. Lisa would give birth to daughter Zoe Kravitz in 1988, return to The Cosby Show full-time in 1989, divorce Lenny in 1993, and marry Jason Momoa in 2017. She and Jason welcomed daughter Lola in 2007 and son Nakoa-Wolf in 2008. After The Cosby Show, Lisa appeared in films like Enemy of the State and High Fidelity, and in shows like Drunk History, Girls, The Red Road, and Ray Donovan.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (“Theo Huxtable”)
The world first fell in love with Malcolm-Jamal Warner as the good-hearted Theo Huxtable. After The Cosby Show, he’s had a prolific career. He voiced The Producer on the PBS show The Magic School Bus. He starred, directed, and produced the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, having directed a few The Cosby Show episodes. He’s also directed episodes of All That and Kenan & Kell. Malcolm has been seen on episodes of American Horror Story, The Resident, and the first season of American Crime Story, where he portrayed Al “A.C.” Cowlings.
Unfortunately, Malcolm-Jamal died at the age of 54 in July 2025 while vacationing in Costa Rica. He died from asphyxia as a result of drowning.
Tempestt Bledsoe (“Vanessa Huxtable”)
As the fourth child of Cliff and Clair Huxtable – behind Sondra, Denise, and Theo – Vanessa Huxtable grew up in front of the camera on The Cosby Show, facing the many trials that come with being a teen. After The Cosby Show went off the air, Tempestt Bledsoe, who brought Vanessa to life, briefly hosted The Tempestt Bledsoe Show and landed a recurring role on The Practice. In the late 2008s, Tempestt voiced the character Abbey on The Replacements and was seen in the short-lived sitcom Guys With Kids in 2013. The New York University graduate has appeared on series like Househusbands of Hollywood, Clean House, and The Talk.
Keshia Knight Pulliam (“Rudy Huxtable”)
As Rudy Huxtable, Keshia Knight Pulliam made history by, at age 6, being the youngest actress to be nominated for an Emmy. As the precocious fifth Huxtable child, she melted the hearts of all those who tuned in to watch. After The Cosby Show, she appeared in a handful of shows and reality television programs. Since 2007, she’s played Miranda Lucas Payne on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. She has been seen on shows like Celebrity Big Brother, in the Lifetime Movie Radio Christmas, and Pride and Prejudice: Atlanta.
Sabrina Le Beauf (“Sondra Huxtable”)
The eldest Huxtable child, Sondra Huxtable, didn’t technically exist in the pilot episode but was retconned into the sitcom, portraying a sophomore in college in her first appearance. Sabrina would bring Sondra to life throughout the series, and after The Cosby Show, she would appear on a handful of shows – Star Trek The Next Generation, the animated Fatherhood, and The Sinbad Show. She has worked with the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C.
Raven-Symoné (“Olivia Kendall)
Though many know her from That’s So Raven, Raven-Symoné first started as Olivia on The Cosby Show. In between The Cosby Show and her eponymous show, Raven appeared in Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper and has since acted in films like the Eddie Murphy Dr. Doolittle series, College Road Trip, and The Cheetah Girls franchise. She was briefly a co-host of The View and was a contestant on season two of The Masked Singer.
If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.
