Thomas Kent ‘T.K.’ Carter, Actor Known for The Thing and Punky Brewster, Dies at 69

Thomas Kent “T.K.” Carter, the actor best known for his roles in The Thing (1982) and Punky Brewster, has died. He was 69.

Carter was found dead on Friday at his home in Duarte, California, after calling 9-1-1 at 5:42 p.m. Authorities said a cause of death was not immediately disclosed, and foul play is not suspected.

Born on Dec. 18, 1956, in New York City, Carter later grew up outside Los Angeles. He began performing at a young age, starting as a stand-up comedian at just 12 years old. He went on to perform at well-known comedy venues, including the Comedy Store, before transitioning into television and film.

Carter gained lasting recognition for his role as Nauls, the rollerskating chef, in The Thing, directed by John Carpenter. He also played Mike Fulton during the first two seasons of Punky Brewster from 1985 to 1986.

He made his onscreen debut in a 1976 episode of Police Woman and went on to appear in numerous popular television series. His credits include Good Times, The Waltons, The Jeffersons, 227, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, Family Matters, The Sinbad Show, Moesha, The Steve Harvey Show, The Nanny, and Dave. He also provided voice work for animated series such as The Transformers and Jem.

In film, Carter appeared in a wide range of projects, including Seems Like Old Times, Southern Comfort, Doctor Detroit, Ski Patrol, Space Jam, and My Favorite Martian.

Over a career spanning decades, T.K. Carter built a reputation as a versatile performer, moving easily between comedy, drama, television, film, and voice work. He is remembered for his distinctive screen presence and his contributions to some of the most recognizable projects in popular culture.