Broadway performer Bret Hanna-Shuford, known for roles in Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid, has died at the age of 46. The news was announced by his husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford, who shared on social media that Bret passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, January 3, surrounded by family.
Hanna-Shuford was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma last summer – rare, life-threatening conditions affecting the immune system. He had been hospitalised in recent months, and in August a GoFundMe page was launched to help with medical costs, attracting contributions from several high-profile Broadway stars.
Born in Beaumont, Texas in 1979, Hanna-Shuford graduated from Wagner College in 2001 and began his career performing on Disney Cruise Line. His stage credits included Broadway and touring productions of Wicked, Amazing Grace, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid, as well as Cirque du Soleil's Paramour and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
He also appeared on television in shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Only Murders in the Building, and The Good Fight, and in the film The Wolf of Wall Street. Alongside his husband, he ran the social media account Broadway Husband, documenting their life with their three-year-old son, Maverick.
Hanna-Shuford had recently begun graduate studies at the University of Florida and was writing a children's book for Penguin Workshop. He is survived by his husband, son, parents Preston and Deanna, and brothers Todd, Eric, and Bart.
