T.K. Carter, the actor recognized for his performances in the horror movie The Thing and the TV series Punky Brewster, died on January 9, 2026. He was 69. Concerns about Carter’s cause of death circulated after the news broke of his passing, as authorities found him deceased.
Carter’s publicist, Tony Freeman, confirmed the tragedy to The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. He said, “T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres. He brought laughter, truth and humanity to every role he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike.”
TK Carter had enormous job back in the 80’s. Helping traumatized kids deal with the Challenger Explosion. R.I.P. Mr Carter https://t.co/D7PEI2UNC6 pic.twitter.com/55VEswBiqX
— Drunk Superman 🇺🇸 (@DrunkSuperman3) January 10, 2026
Below, get updates on everything we know so far about Carter’s death.
No, Carter had no known health issues or setbacks before he died.
At the time of publication, Carter’s cause of death is still unclear. Authorities said that no foul play was suspected, per ABC News.
