Veteran actor T.K. Carter, known for ‘The Thing’ and ‘Punky Brewster,’ dies at 69 : NPR
Actor TK Carter arrives for the premiere of “The LA Riot” at the Tribeca Film Festival, Monday, April 25, 2005, in New York.
Mary Altaffer/AP
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Mary Altaffer/AP
DUARTE, Calif. — Veteran actor TK Carter, who appeared on television in the horror films “The Thing” and “Punky Brewster,” has died at the age of 69.
Carter was pronounced dead Friday evening after deputies responded to a call about an unconscious man in Duarte, California, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Police did not release the cause of death or other details, but said foul play was not suspected.
Thomas Kent “TK” Carter was born December 18, 1956 in New York and raised in Southern California.
He began his career in stand-up and with acting roles. Carter had been acting for years before his breakthrough role as Nauls the cook in John Carpenter’s 1982 horror classic, “The Thing.” He also had a recurring role on the 1980s sitcom “Punky Brewster.”
Other big screen roles include “Runaway Train” in 1985, “Ski Patrol” in 1990 and “Space Jam” in 1996.
“TK Carter was a consummate professional and a true soul whose talent transcended genres,” his publicist, Tony Freeman, said in a statement. “He brought laughter, truth and humanity to every role he played. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans.”
