Thomas Kent “T.K.” Carter, the veteran actor whose career spanned nearly five decades across film, television, and voice work, has died. He was 69.
Carter was found dead Friday at his home in Duarte, California, after calling 9-1-1 around 5:42 p.m., according to a report first published by TMZ. A cause of death has not been disclosed, and authorities have said foul play is not suspected.
Born December 18, 1956, in New York City, Carter grew up outside Los Angeles and began performing stand-up comedy at 12. He went on to appear at The Comedy Store and other prominent venues before transitioning into acting in the mid-1970s.
Carter made his on-screen debut in a 1976 episode of Police Woman and steadily built a career in television, appearing on series including Good Times, The Waltons, The Jeffersons, 227, Family Matters, The Sinbad Show, Moesha, The Steve Harvey Show, The Nanny, and Dave. He was also part of the cast of Good Morning, Miss Bliss, the precursor to Saved by the Bell.
He was perhaps best known for two roles that showcased his range. In 1982, Carter played Nauls, the rollerskating chef, in The Thing, directed by John Carpenter, a film that has since become a cornerstone of horror and science fiction cinema. On television, he portrayed Mike Fulton during the first two seasons of Punky Brewster, appearing in more than two dozen episodes between 1985 and 1986.
His film credits also include Seems Like Old Times, Southern Comfort, Doctor Detroit, Runaway Train, Ski Patrol, Space Jam, My Favorite Martian, and Domino. Carter additionally lent his voice to animated series such as The Transformers and Jem.
In August 2025, Carter reflected publicly on his career while discussing the miniseries The Corner, noting the persistence it took to continue working in the industry. His final on-screen appearances came in 2023, with roles on The Company You Keep and Dave.
T.K. Carter is remembered as a working actor who moved fluidly between comedy, drama, film, television, and voice work, leaving behind a body of work that continues to resonate with audiences across generations.
Reel 360 News extends our condolences to the Dooner family.
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