Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor, who has died aged 54, was cast as Theo Huxtable in the sitcom The Cosby Show at the age of 13, and over the course of some 200 episodes became one of US television’s best-known teenagers.

The actor, who died Sunday at 54, was best known for his role as Theo Huxtable, the only son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, who was based on creator Bill Cosby's son.

The death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner has come as a shock to the fellow The Cosby Show cast and their fans. The actor died on July 20 at the age of 54, reportedly due to drowning in Costa Rica.