T.K. Carter, known for his roles in the horror film 'The Thing' and the sitcom 'Punky Brewster,' has died at age 69. The actor passed away at his home in Duarte, California, with no foul play suspected. His publicist described him as a consummate professional whose work inspired generations.
T.K. Carter, born Thomas Kent Carter on December 18, 1956, in New York City and raised in Southern California's San Gabriel Valley, began his career with stand-up comedy before transitioning to acting. He made his professional debut in 1976 on NBC's 'Police Woman' and appeared in guest roles on shows like 'Quincy, M.E.' and 'Good Times.'
Carter's breakthrough came in 1982 with his role as Naul, the roller-skating chef, in John Carpenter's horror classic 'The Thing.' He followed this with a recurring role as Mike Fulton on the sitcom 'Punky Brewster' from 1985 to 1986. Other notable credits include voicing Monstar Nawt in the 1996 film 'Space Jam' and playing Clarence Hull on 'The Sinbad Show' for 24 episodes from 1993 to 1994.
Throughout his career, Carter amassed a wide range of roles in film and television, including appearances in 'A Rage in Harlem,' 'Family Matters,' 'Rush Hour,' 'Everybody Hates Chris,' and 'How to Get Away with Murder.' More recently, he played Russ in the 2020 film 'The Way Back' starring Ben Affleck, Uncle Jimmy in 2022's 'Fake Friends,' Cliff in the comedy series 'Dave,' and Pike in 'The Company You Keep.'
Carter died on Friday at his home in Duarte, California, his publicist Tony Freeman confirmed to Variety. A cause of death was not disclosed. 'T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres,' Freeman said. 'He brought laughter, truth, and humanity to every role he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike.'
He is survived by his mother and children.
