Health details concerning the late actor T.K. Carter have come to light following his death at the age of 69. His brother, Harold Carter, has disclosed that the performer had been contending with significant medical issues in the months leading up to his passing.
Details of the Actor's Final Months and Discovery
Harold Carter revealed to TMZ that his sibling suffered from diabetes, persistent heart problems, and several other ailments. The family's concerns grew after going days without contact from the actor, whom they described to authorities as having high blood pressure. This prompted them to request a welfare check at his home in Duarte, California.
Law enforcement sources confirmed that officers discovered Carter's body at the residence on Friday. He was found alone, and it remains unclear exactly how long he had been there. His brother suggested Carter was discovered beside a marble table and may have sustained a head injury. The official cause of death is pending, but the actor's personal doctor has agreed to sign the death certificate. Police have indicated no sign of foul play.
A Career Spanning Decades and Genres
T.K. Carter enjoyed a prolific career that began in the mid-1970s. He became best known for his role in John Carpenter's 1982 cult horror classic The Thing, starring alongside Kurt Russell. His filmography includes notable parts in Runaway Train (1985), Space Jam (1996) where he voiced the character Monstar Nawt, and Domino (2005).
On television, he was a familiar face with recurring roles in the 1980s sitcom Punky Brewster as Mike Fulton and as T-Bone on The Steve Harvey Show in the 1990s. His dramatic prowess was showcased in HBO's acclaimed 2000 miniseries The Corner, where he portrayed Gary McCullough. Carter remained active in recent years, appearing in episodes of The Company You Keep and Dave in 2023.
Tributes and Personal Remembrances
News of his passing prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and colleagues online. Many recalled his comedic timing and versatile performances. His brother Harold remembered him as an uplifting and funny person whose faith was central to his life.
"My brother was a very uplifting person, always funny. He was a good person," Harold told TMZ. "We miss him, he had a lot of friends and family. We will always cherish him. He had a relationship with God and his faith was very important to him."
The actor's legacy is cemented by a body of work that effortlessly moved between comedy and drama, leaving a lasting impression on audiences across multiple generations.
