TK Carter, most known for his role in Space Jam, has died. He was reportedly 69 years old. The veteran actor-comedian, also known for his appearance in the horror film The Thing and Punky Brewster on television, was pronounced dead on Friday evening. AP has reported that emergency services were called about an unresponsive male at his home in Duarte, California, per the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. As of this writing, the cause of death of TK Carter, born Thomas Kent Carter, remains unclear. Police have reportedly confirmed there is no foul play suspected. He is reportedly survived by his wife, Janet Carter, and his son, Thomas Scott. TK Carter's life and legacy explored as tributes trickle in: TK Carter's acting career reportedly spanned five decades across various genres like comedy and cult horror films. In the 1980s, he was a household television name, having made appearances in several American sitcoms. He was born in New York City on 18 December 1956, though he shifted to Southern California with his family in his childhood. He grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, having begun his work in Hollywood at the age of 12. At the time, he started with an on-stage stand-up comedy skit. By 1975, he landed a guest role on Police Woman, which marked his debut role. In 1982, he was cast as Nauls in John Carpenter's The Thing. In the years since, he starred in various projects like Runaway Train in 1985 and Ski Patrol in 1990. Little is known about his private life as he largely stayed outside the spotlight. However, as news of his demise made its way to X, tributes have come pouring in. Donnie Simpson Sr. paid his respects with a post on Instagram that read: "Remembering film and TV actor Thomas Kent Carter aka TK Carter. Such a good dude. Sending my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans. RIP my brother," he wrote. The Thing Expanded also shared a tribute to TK Carter on X that read: "We are utterly shocked and heartbroken to hear that The Thing cast member T.K. Carter (Nauls) has passed away at the age of 69. His portrayal of Outpost 31's roller skating chef de cuisine remains an indelible highlight of the film. After all, he gets one of the most iconic lines: "Maybe we're at war with Norway." #RIP" Shavar Ross chimed in with a personal anecdote on X that reads as follows: "I met T. K. Carter when I was about eleven or twelve years old, shortly after I first came to California. Through my dad, I spent time on the set of Doctor Detroit, where T. K. was working alongside Dan Aykroyd. 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. Over the years, T. K. and I became good friends, and we hung out together sometimes. 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. #RIP #TKCarter Thomas Kent Carter (December 18, 1956 – January 9, 2026) was an American actor known for his roles in The Thing, Punky Brewster, The Corner, Southern Comfort, Doctor Detroit, Corvette Summer, and Dave and Just Our Luck." Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more.