T.K. Carter, ‘The Thing,’ ‘The Way Back’ and ‘Space Jam’ Actor, Dies at 69
Carter was known for also appearing in many TV shows, including 'Punky Brewster,' 'Just Our Luck' and 'Police Woman.'
Thomas Kent “T.K.” Carter, an actor best known for his role in John Carpenter’s 1982 horror classic The Thing, has died, his publicist, Tony Freeman, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 69.
Carter was found dead Friday in his home in Duarte, California. No foul play is suspected, THR learned. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
“T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres,” Freeman said in a statement. “He brought laughter, truth and humanity to every role he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike.”
Born in New York City on Dec. 18, 1956, the actor was raised in the San Gabriel Valley. He made his acting debut in 1976 on NBC’s crime drama Police Woman.
Carter’s breakthrough role was playing roller-skating chef Nauls in The Thing opposite Kurt Russell. The following year, he was on the ABC sitcom Just Our Luck with Richard Gilliland, and from 1985-86, he played Mike Fulton on the first two seasons of NBC’s Punky Brewster. In the 1996 original Space Jam movie, he voiced the character Monstar Nawt.
Additional acting credits across film and TV include Good Times, The Waltons, The Jeffersons, 227, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, Family Matters, The Sinbad Show, Moesha, The Steve Harvey Show, The Nanny, Seems Like Old Times, Southern Comfort, Doctor Detroit, Ski Patrol and My Favorite Martian.
His most recent roles were in the 2020 film The Way Back, starring Ben Affleck; 2022’s Fake Friends; three episodes of the Milo Ventimiglia-starrer The Company You Keep in 2023; and five installments of rapper Lil Dicky’s sitcom Dave that same year.
He is survived by his mother and children.