Renowned actor T.K. Carter, celebrated for portraying Nauls in the iconic 1982 horror flick “The Thing,” has passed away at 69.

According to TMZ, authorities found Carter’s body at his residence in Duarte, California, on Friday during a welfare check.

Law enforcement reported receiving the call around 5:42 p.m., subsequently documenting his death.

Officials have stated that there are no signs of foul play, although the exact cause of death is still undetermined.

Carter’s career, which began in the mid-1970s, showcased his talent in numerous films, including “Runaway Train” (1985), “Space Jam” (1996), and “Domino” (2005).

He also appeared on television, including recurring roles as Mike Fulton on Punky Brewster in the 1980s and T-Bone on The Steve Harvey Show in the 1990s.

T.K. Carter, the actor best known for his role as Nauls in the cult classic 1982 horror film The Thing, has died at the age of 60; (pictured 2005)

Authorities discovered Carter’s body Friday at his home in Duarte, California, following a welfare check; (pictured in 1983’s  Just Our Luck)

The versatile actor also starred in the 2000 miniseries The Corner, which he later reflected on in August 2025, revealing on Live from the Green Room that he initially struggled to even get an audition until a friend connected him with their manager.

He continued acting in recent years, appearing in three episodes of The Company You Keep and five episodes of Lil Dicky’s Dave in 2023.

News of his passing sparked an outpouring of tributes online.

One fan wrote on X, ‘Was a huge fan of his… sad to hear,’ while another added, ‘Rest in peace T-Bone.’ 

Beyond the roles already mentioned, Carter’s career included a wide range of both comedic and dramatic performances. 

He appeared in early films like Corvette Summer (1978) and Seems Like Old Times (1980), steadily building a reputation as a versatile character actor. 

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he took on comedic turns in films such as Ski Patrol (1990) and Leapin’ Leprechauns (1995), while also lending his voice to animated projects, most notably as Monstar Nawt in Space Jam (1996). 

On television, he appeared in guest and recurring roles on series including The Sinbad Show, A Different World, and Good Morning, Miss Bliss. 

Carter starred alongside Kurt Russell in The Thing

The Thing, released in 1982 and directed by John Carpenter, has become a cult horror classic 

Carter, Willie Norwood, Sinbad, Salma Hayek and Erin Davis in 1993’s The Sinbad Show

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he took on comedic turns in films such as Ski Patrol (1990) and Leapin’ Leprechauns (1995), while also lending his voice to animated projects, most notably as Monstar Nawt in Space Jam (1996)

His dramatic work included portraying Gary McCullough in HBO’s The Corner (2000), which earned praise for its unflinching portrayal of life in Baltimore’s drug‑plagued neighborhoods. 

He remained active late into his career with roles in both film and streaming series, demonstrating his range across genres and formats until his final appearances in 2023.