Veteran actor T.K. Carter, known for 'The Thing' and 'Punky Brewster,' dies at 69

Entertainment
11 Jan 2026 • 4:00 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Veteran actor T.K. Carter, who appeared in the horror film “The Thing” and “Punky Brewster” on television, has died at the age of 69.

Carter was declared dead Friday evening after deputies responded to a call regarding an unresponsive male in Duarte, California, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Police did not disclose a cause of death or other details, but said no foul play was suspected.

Carter had been acting for years before a breakthrough role as Nauls the cook in John Carpenter's 1982 horror classi, “The Thing.” He also had a recurring role in the 1980s sitcom “Punky Brewster.”