Thomas Kent “T.K.” Carter, the actor celebrated for his role as the rollerskating chef Nauls in John Carpenter’s The Thing and as Mike Fulton on Punky Brewster, has passed away at the age of 69.

Carter was discovered in his Duarte, California home on Friday evening after calling 9-1-1 at 5:42 p.m., according to TMZ. 

Authorities have not revealed a cause of death, but foul play is not suspected.

Born on December 18, 1956, in New York City, Carter grew up near Los Angeles and began performing stand-up comedy at the age of 12. 

He later appeared at iconic venues, including the Comedy Store, earning a reputation for his comedic timing and stage presence.

Carter made his television debut in 1976 on NBC’s Police Woman and went on to appear in shows such as Good Times, The Jeffersons, Family Matters, The Nanny, and Moesha. 

He also contributed voice work to animated series like The Transformers and Jem.

On the big screen, Carter appeared in films including Seems Like Old Times (1980), Southern Comfort (1981), Doctor Detroit (1983), Ski Patrol (1990), Space Jam (1996), and My Favorite Martian (1999), leaving a versatile and enduring legacy in both television and film.

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