ABC World News Tonight kicked off on a sad note as host David Muir delivered some tragic breaking news.

The 51-year-old hunk began Monday’s show by announcing that beloved actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has passed away aged 54. Addressing viewers directly, David began, “Tonight, we have breaking news as we come on the air. The stunning death of an actor from The Cosby Show, Malcolm Jamal Warner, who played Theo Huxtable, swept away by a strong current.

“The new information as we begin tonight. authorities say the actor drowned, reportedly while on vacation with his family in Costa Rica,” he added.

David elaborated, “He was swimming when they say he got caught up in a current and was pulled deeper out to sea. Tonight, the tributes now pouring in.

David Muir broke the news of Malcolm-Jamal’s death(Image: ABC)

“Malcolm Jamal Warner played the only son on The Cosby Show among four sisters. So many Americans watched him grow up on that show. He went on to act in dozens of other TV shows and films, and he won a Grammy as well.

“Tonight here the heartfelt words pouring in, the touching words from the actor himself, what Malcolm Jamal Warner once said about life and about death,” the TV star concluded before reporter Victor Kendall looked back at some of the actor’s most memorable moments throughout his career.

A clip then played of Malcolm-Jamal speaking in a recent interview, during which he spoke about death. He shared, “I had such an awsome life, I had all my ups and downs and all of that but like if I die tomorrow I know I would go with a smile on my face. I know I havent wronged anybody. I have peace of mind. And for me you can’t put a price on that.”

A clip of the segment was shared to the show’s official Instagram account, along with the caption reiterating David’s words, which read, “Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theodore “Theo” Huxtable on the “The Cosby Show,” has died from an accidental drowning off the coast of Costa Rica reportedly while on a family vacation. He was 54. @VictorOquendo reports.”

Malcolm-Jamal with his The Cosby Show co-stars(Image: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

It didn’t take fans long to inundate the post with heartbroken messages and well wishes to Malcolm-Jamal’s family.

One heartbroken fan said, “So heartbreaking. But what he said was true. When you pass on you want to know that you’ve lived a good life. You forgave, you loved & you truly did have a pure heart. He will be missed! My condolences to his family.”

A second person also shared their upset, penning, “So devastating, we don’t have to personally know these people to feel the loss. Just growing up watching him on tv till this day feels like I lost a family member.”

“Tragic!! I loved the Cosby show growing up. This makes me so sad. Prayers to his family and friends,” shared another.

A fourth viewer joined in on the heartfelt messages, saying, “I can’t believe it speechless heartbreaking. Love him. May he rest in peace.”

“I can’t stop crying .. he was my favorite on the Cosby Show.. my heart is crushed into pieces.. I wish this was not true. Rest in power Thou/Malcolm, we love you so much,” a fifth person admitted.

And a sixth echoed, “Crushed. I don’t think they understand what he meant to our community. We all grew up together. He was like an extended family member. May his soul find peace in the next realm. Rest, brother.”

Malcolm-Jamal’s official cause of death was asphyxia, after he was caught by a strong current while swimming off Cocles, a beach in Limon, on the country’s Atlantic coast.