Broadway performer Bret Hanna-Shuford, whose resume included roles in musicals like “Wicked” and “The Little Mermaid,” sadly passed away on January 3, 2026, according to an Instagram post from his husband. He was 46 years old.
Earlier this year, Shuford had announced he had been diagnosed with HLH and T-Cell Lymphoma. According to his husband’s Instagram post, at the time of his death, Hanna-Shuford was surrounded by family, and he passed peacefully.
Bret Hanna-Shuford’s Career
Hanna-Shuford had a thriving career both on stage and on screen. According to IBDb, he performed in nine Broadway shows and two touring productions. Fans may have seen him as Doctor Dillamond in “Wicked,” as the understudy for Eric in “The Little Mermaid,” in the ensemble of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” or in “Cirque du Soleil Paramour.”
He also booked roles in TV shows and movies. Shuford was in the 2019 Hallmark movie “Love to the Rescue,” in which he played the moderator. He was also in various New York City-filmed TV shows, such as “Only Murders in the Building,” “The Good Fight,” and “FBI: Most Wanted,” according to IMDb.
Tributes Pour in for Bret Hanna-Shuford
GettyMany actors, influencers, and producers took to Instagram to express their shock and and sadness over the news. Kara Lindsay, known for originating the role of Katherine Plumber in “Newsies” on Broadway, commented, “Oh my heart just broke into a million pieces. Bret, you are so loved and will be missed here on earth. Praying for you, Stephen, and your sweet son. I’m so very sorry for your loss.”
TV actor Busy Phillips expressed deep sadness in her comment. “This news is absolutely heartbreaking and I’m so, so sorry for your loss. You both have brought such light and beauty and hilarity into the world and I’m just sending you and your family so much love and my deepest condolences,” she wrote.
Michael Buckley, a retired YouTuber, posted on his Instagram story to honor Hanna-Shuford. One post reads, “Oh Bret. Your love and sobriety and friendship were so important to me.” Another post features Buckley talking to the camera. “I am so sad to hear about Bret … I’ve known Bret since, I think, 2010, and I just always loved and admired him as a performer,” he said. “The thing about Bret that I’ve never really said publicly is he very much positively impacted my sobriety,” Buckley added.
Tony-winning producer Ken Davenport commented his sympathies as well: “Heartbroken and so sorry for your loss. He was light.”
Fans also shared their condolences. One wrote, “I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your sweet son. May you feel the love of all those whose lives you touched. My heart is broken. You are in my heart today.” Another commented, “My heart is breaking for you all. I’m so sorry. Sending all of the love I can give.”
Hanna-Shuford will be deeply missed.
