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Broadway Star Bret Hanna-Shuford Dies at 46 After Rare Disease Battle

Broadway actor Bret Hanna-Shuford, known for roles in 'Wicked' and 'The Little Mermaid', has died at age 46. He passed away on January 3, 2026, after a prolonged fight against a rare combination of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and T-Cell Lymphoma. His husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford, confirmed the news in a heartfelt Instagram post, stating Bret died peacefully surrounded by family. The actor is survived by his husband and their son, Maverick, with whom he shared the popular 'Broadway Husbands' social media presence.

Key Points: Broadway Actor Bret Hanna-Shuford Dies at 46

  • Died at 46 from rare HLH and T-Cell Lymphoma
  • Broadway star of 'Wicked' and 'Little Mermaid'
  • Survived by husband Stephen and son Maverick
  • Co-ran popular 'Broadway Husbands' social media
  • Career spanned stage, TV, and film
2 min read

'Wicked' Broadway actor Bret Hanna-Shuford passes away due to rare disease

'Wicked' and 'Little Mermaid' Broadway actor Bret Hanna-Shuford passes away at 46 after battling rare HLH and T-Cell Lymphoma.

"It is with a heavy heart that we share the news... Bret Hanna-Shuford left this world peacefully surrounded by love his family. - Stephen Hanna-Shuford"

Los Angeles, January 4

Former Broadway actor, Bret Hanna-Shuford, known for his performances in 'Wicked' and 'The Little Mermaid', has passed away at 46.

Bret died on Saturday, January 3, 2026, after a prolonged battle with a rare and aggressive form of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and T-Cell Lymphoma in Orlando, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

His husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford, took to his Instagram handle and confirmed the actor's passing.

"It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that early this morning we said goodbye to the most amazing man, husband and Papa in the universe. Bret Hanna-Shuford left this world peacefully with surrounded by love his family. Our hearts are broken but we will continue to make him proud of us," he wrote.

Born on May 20, 1979, in Beaumont, Texas, Bret Hanna-Shuford started his acting career with The Gingerbread Company as a child actor. He also appeared in local community theatre, regional commercials, and indie films.

He made his Broadway debut with the 'Beauty and the Beast' and later continued working with Disney Theatrical in 'The Little Mermaid', where he met his future husband Stephen, as per Deadline.

Some of Bret's other Broadway works include 'Wicked', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', 'A Wonderful Life', 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas', 'Amazing Grace', and 'Cirque du Soleil Paramour'.

Additionally, he also appeared on the screen with credits like 'The Wolf of Wall Street', 'Only Murders in the Building', 'FBI: Most Wanted', 'The Good Fight', 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit', 'All My Children', and 'Guilding Light'.

Bret Hanna-Shuford is survived by his husband, Stephen and their son Maverick. Bret and Stephen popularly led their joint social media page 'Broadway Husbands', where they had been documenting their lives as gay parents.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Rare diseases like HLH are terrifying. It's a reminder that we need more global medical research and awareness, even for conditions that seem uncommon. His legacy in theatre, especially with Disney, will live on. Om Shanti.
R
Rohit P
Saw him in 'Wicked' on a trip to NYC years ago. Such a talented performer. It's always sad when art loses a bright light. Condolences to Stephen and their son Maverick.
S
Sarah B
His journey from child actor to Broadway, and his open life as a gay parent, is truly inspiring. The world needs more stories of love and family like his. A life well-lived, though cut tragically short.
V
Vikram M
While I respect his artistic contributions, the article focuses heavily on his personal life. In our Indian media, the focus might have been more on his career achievements and less on the family structure. Just an observation.
K
Kavya N
So young! It's a stark reminder to cherish every moment. He seemed to have built a beautiful family and a celebrated career. His fight against the disease must have been incredibly tough. Heartfelt condolences.

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