TK Carter dead: ‘The Thing’ star found at home at 69

T.K. Carter, best known for his role as Nauls in the 1982 horror film The Thing, has passed away at the age of 69. Fans and colleagues alike have taken to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to the actor’s contributions to film and television.

Carter was a familiar face in both film and television, with roles that spanned several decades. He gained widespread recognition for his performance in The Thing, which also starred Kurt Russell and Keith David. Beyond that, he appeared in notable films such as Space Jam (1996), Domino (2005), and Runaway Train (1985). On the small screen, he was part of the 1980s comedy Punky Brewster and later joined The Steve Harvey Show in the late 1990s.

His passing was confirmed after an emergency services call was made to his home in California on Friday afternoon. Authorities reportedly ruled out any foul play in the incident. TMZ reported that the death was officially noted after a call was made to the Duarte property at 5:42 p.m. on the day of the incident. However, the cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Fans have shared heartfelt messages on social media, expressing their sorrow over the loss of the actor. One user wrote, "RIP TK Carter." Another added, "Punky’s old teacher," accompanied by a crying emoji. Others shared sentiments like, "Sad news. A wonderful actor. Never seemed to get the ‘big’ parts but did well with opportunities he had." Another fan said, "Was a huge fan of his.. sad to hear."

Born in New York, T.K. Carter began his acting career in 1974 with a minor role in the sitcom Good Times. He continued to build his resume, appearing in Seems Like Old Times (1980) alongside Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn before landing his iconic role in The Thing in 1982.

On television, he played a 3,000-year-old genie in the short-lived sitcom Just Our Luck, co-starring with Richard Gilliland. His most memorable TV role came in 1985 as teacher Mike Fulton in Punky Brewster, a show that remains a favorite among fans of 1980s television.

Over the years, Carter continued to appear in various television series, including The Nanny, NYPD Blue, and Everybody Hates Chris. His more recent work included appearances in How to Get Away with Murder (2016), Ben Affleck’s The Way Back (2020), and the FXX sitcom Dave (2023).

Carter was married to hair stylist Sandra Collier, who passed away in January 2023 after a battle with colon cancer. In a heartfelt Instagram post following her death, he shared a photo of them together with the caption: "This Photo Says It All. I Love You. Rest In Peace My Beautiful Queen. Love You Forever. Thank You for loving me. Loving you Always No Matter What."

As tributes continue to pour in from fans and fellow actors, T.K. Carter’s legacy as a dedicated and versatile performer will be remembered for years to come.