Bobby Bank / Bobby Bank/Getty Images Longtime character actor Thomas Kent “T.K.” Carter, known for his roles in 1982’s The Thing and the 1980s sitcom Punky Brewster , was found dead in his Duarte, California, home on Friday. Carter, 69, had dialed 9-1-1 at 5:42 p.m., TMZ reported. Authorities did not immediately disclose the cause of death, but they do not expect foul play. Carter was born in New York City in 1956, but grew up in Los Angeles, where he began his storied career in entertainment with his stand-up comedy debut at age 12. The character actor is best known for his role as Nauls, the rollerskating cook of Outpost 31 in John Carpenter’s 1982 horror classic The Thing. Carter also starred as teacher Mike Fulton in the 1980s sitcom Punky Brewster and as T-Bone on The Steve Harvey Show . He also made appearances in a number of films throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, including Space Jam , Ski Patrol , Southern Comfort , Doctor Detroit , and My Favorite Martian . Read it at Deadline Read more at The Daily Beast.