Veteran comedian and actor T.K. Carter, a Southern California native, has died. He was 69. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded Friday evening to Carter’s home in Duarte after receiving a call about an unresponsive man, according to the Associated Press.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said no foul play is suspected, though a cause of death has not been released.
Born Thomas Kent Carter in New York City, Carter was raised in the San Gabriel Valley, according to IMDb.
After appearing in several small roles in 1970s television sitcoms — including Good Times, The Waltons and The Jeffersons — Carter achieved his breakthrough role in the 1982 horror film The Thing, playing the chef Nauls.
Following that success, Carter worked regularly in sitcoms and film, building a career that spanned six decades.
“T.K. was a terrific actor, and I wanted him to help Michael with his dialogue,” director Joe Pytka told The Times in 2020—high praise that reflected Carter’s natural command of language and presence on set.
Though audiences largely knew Carter for his sharp comedic timing—he once described himself in his Instagram bio as a writer and performer “born to act and make you laugh”—his talent ran far deeper than punchlines. He possessed a rare ability to move seamlessly between humor and heartbreak.
That depth was on full display in the 2000 HBO miniseries The Corner, where Carter delivered a haunting performance as Gary McCullough, a West Baltimore father locked in a painful battle with addiction. The role was more than acting; it was deeply personal.
“I just totally felt for Gary,” Carter told The Times. “I’ve had drug problems and cocaine addiction. I lost my father to a drug-related death. I’ve lost a lot of friends. I was fortunate to come out on the other side and get my life together. But I haven’t forgotten. I kept Gary with me all the time. I slept Gary. I breathed Gary.”
When news of Carter’s passing broke, the outpouring of grief was immediate. Friends, colleagues, and admirers flooded social media with tributes honoring not just his work, but his impact.
“As a young kid, I looked up to T.K. because seeing an African American actor starring in a major film meant a lot to me. I always felt he was headed for stardom,” entrepreneur Shavar Ross wrote on X. “I want to send my heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and everyone who loved and admired his work. He will always be remembered and respected.”