T.K. Carter, 'The Corner' and 'Space Jam' Actor, Dead at 69

The actor, who also starred in 'Dave' and 'The Thing,' was found dead at his Duarte, California home on Friday.

T. K. Carter.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

T.K. Carter, known for his roles in HBO miniseries The Corner, The Thing and Space Jam, has reportedly died at 69 years old.

According to TMZ, the actor, born Thomas Kent Carter, was found deceased in his Duarte, California, residence on Friday (January 9). No foul play has been suspected in Carter's death, although the cause of death has not yet been released.

Carter began his career in the 1970s, making his television debut as a minor character on Good Times before attaining major roles in 1980s series Just Our Luck and Punky Brewster. Carter's resume would continue to grow throughout the '80s and '90s, starring in 1982 sci-fi/horror The Thing, The Sinbad Show, and Space Jam, in which he voiced Monstar Nawt, loosely based on former NBA player Muggsy Bogues.

By 2000, Carter would make a resurgence in limited HBO crime drama The Corner, a precursor to The Wire, which lasted for five seasons. In a 2025 episode of podcast Live From the Green Room, Carter said he wasn't initially considered for the show until actor and filmmaker Tasha Smith connected the actor with her manager to set up an audition.

Carter last starred in three episodes of former FX show Dave and drama series The Company You Keep.

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App