Actor Thomas Kent 'T.K.' Carter, recognized for his roles as Nauls in the 1982 film "The Thing" and Mike Fulton in the television series "Punky Brewster," has died at the age of 69. He was found deceased at his residence in Duarte, California, on Friday.
Details of Death
Authorities reported that Carter was discovered deceased at his home on Friday. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to a call regarding an unresponsive male at approximately 5:42 PM. The cause of death has not been publicly released by authorities, but officials have stated that foul play is not suspected.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Thomas Kent Carter on December 18, 1956, in New York City, he was raised in Southern California. Carter began performing stand-up comedy at the age of 12. His acting career started in 1976 with an appearance on NBC’s "Police Woman."
Key Roles and Extensive Filmography
Carter was notably known for his portrayal of Nauls, the rollerskating chef, in John Carpenter's 1982 science fiction horror film "The Thing." On television, he played Mike Fulton in the initial two seasons of the 1980s sitcom "Punky Brewster" from 1985 to 1986. He also had a recurring role as T-Bone on "The Steve Harvey Show" and appeared in the 2000 miniseries "The Corner."
His extensive film credits include:
- "Seems Like Old Times" (1980)
- "Southern Comfort" (1981)
- "Doctor Detroit" (1983)
- "Runaway Train" (1985)
- "Ski Patrol" (1990)
- "Space Jam" (1996)
- "My Favorite Martian" (1999)
- "Domino" (2005)
On television, Carter also appeared in series such as "Good Times," "The Waltons," "The Jeffersons," "Family Matters," and "The Nanny." He provided voice work for animated series including "The Transformers" and "Jem." His most recent acting roles were in 2023, with appearances in "The Company You Keep" and "Dave."
Publicist's Statement
Tony Freeman, Carter's publicist, released a statement describing him as "a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres." Freeman added that Carter "brought laughter, truth, and humanity to every role he touched" and that his "legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike."