The Thing’s T.K. Carter Dead at 69: Co-Stars Keith David & Thomas G. Waites Pay Tribute
T.K. Carter, who played Outpost 31's roller-skating cook in John Carpenter's 1982 classic The Thing, was remembered by several cast members, including Keith David.
T.K. (Thomas Kent) Carter, who played the roller-skating cook Nauls in John Carpenter's The Thing, died at the age of 69.
According to TMZ, citing law enforcement sources, Carter was found dead in his Duarte, California home Friday, Jan. 9 following a call to emergency services. No cause of death is known at this time, but law enforcement does not suspect foul play.
“T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres,” Carter's publicist Tony Freeman said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “He brought laughter, truth and humanity to every role he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike.”
Carter's acting career spanned nearly half a century, with other notable performances in Southern Comfort, Doctor Detroit, Punky Brewster, Space Jam, and The Sinbad Show. His turn as Nauls in The Thing, however, remains his standout role. In addition to showing a penchant for roller skates and Stevie Wonder, Outpost 31's resident chef de cuisine also gets one of the film's most iconic lines: "Maybe we're at war with Norway."
Carter is now the fifth member of The Thing cast to pass away after Charles Hallahan (Norris), Richard Dysart (Copper), Donald Moffat (Garry), and Wilford Brimley (Blair).
The actor was mourned by his surviving co-stars in statements exclusively made to SYFY WIRE.
The Thing cast member T.K. Carter mourned by co-stars of John Carpenter film
"I woke up this morning to the news of the passing of my friend and brother, T.K. Carter," said Keith David (Childs). At 26-years-old, he and Carter were the youngest actors on set. It also happened to be David's very first feature film.
"I did my first movie with T.K. and we bonded from there 'till now," the actor continued. "These past few weeks have been particularly trying, as another friend and brother, Isiah Whitlock, Jr., also made his transition. I will miss them both very much, but am comforted by the idea that these two kings will be welcomed by St. Peter at the gates, bringing a smile to all the saints there to greet them. Rest in Power."
Thomas G. Waites (Windows) added that "T.K. made us laugh a lot during the shoot." This was particularly true in Hyder, Alaska where the cast stayed while shooting the exterior Outpost 31 scenes on a glacier up in Stewart, British Columbia. "He once came up to me at the bar in Hyder," Waites remembered, "and said, 'Tommy, that dude over there at the bar ain’t never seen a Black person before!' We laughed."
Richard Masur, who played the role of dog handler Clark, remembered how "T.K. was like a kid in a candy store. The whole shoot seemed like a dream come true to him. Very sad his energy is gone. We’ll all miss him.”
Said producer Larry Franco (who also played the Norwegian rifleman): "This is very sad news. I will always remember the energy T.K. brought to the set. He was fun to be around. He loved his skates! He will be missed."
