Thomas Kent Carter passed away on January 9, 2026, at age 69. His career spanned more than four decades across film, television, and voice work, leaving behind a body of work that touched comedy, drama, and pop culture history. Here are 25 facts you need to know about the actor that meant so much to viewers.
- Thomas Kent Carter was born on December 18, 1956, in New York City.
- He grew up in the San Gabriel Valley area of Southern California.
- Carter began performing as a standup comedian at a young age.
- His onscreen acting debut came in a 1976 episode of Police Woman.
- One of his earliest film appearances was in Corvette Summer in 1978.
- He appeared on classic TV shows including Good Times and The Jeffersons.
- Carter played Chester in the film Seems Like Old Times in 1980.
- He portrayed Cribbs, a National Guardsman, in Southern Comfort in 1981.
- He played Nauls, the rollerskating chef, in John Carpenter’s The Thing.
- Carter starred as Diavolo Washington in Doctor Detroit in 1983.
- His first television starring role was as Shabu on Just Our Luck.
- He played Mike Fulton, an elementary school teacher, on Punky Brewster.
- Carter appeared as Mylo Williams on Good Morning, Miss Bliss.
- He voiced Alex in the animated series Turbo Teen.
- He provided voice work for Jem and The Transformers.
- Carter played Iceman in the comedy Ski Patrol in 1990.
- He appeared in Runaway Train alongside a dramatic ensemble cast.
- He starred as Clarence Hull on The Sinbad Show.
- Carter had recurring roles on series including The Steve Harvey Show and Dave.
- He appeared in the film Space Jam as the voice of Monstar Nawt.
- He played Gary McCullough in the HBO miniseries The Corner.
- His performance in The Corner was praised by The Boston Globe.
- Carter continued acting steadily into the 2000s and 2010s.
- His later TV appearances included How to Get Away with Murder and Stumptown.
- Thomas Kent Carter died at his home in Duarte, California, on January 9, 2026.