Bret Hanna-Shuford, Wicked Broadway Actor, Dead at 46

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The Broadway community is mourning one of its own.

Bret Hanna-Shuford, a performer known for his roles in The Little Mermaid and Wicked, has passed away at the age of 46. He was diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and T-Cell Lymphoma several months prior, as announced by his husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford.

We are deeply saddened to share that Bret Hanna-Shuford passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by his loved ones. Stephen, Bret’s husband and the father of their son Maverick, announced the news on their Instagram account, describing Bret as the most amazing man, husband, and father.

He added, “Our hearts are broken but we will continue to make him proud of us…”

Lindsay Mendez, from the show Merrily We Roll Along, expressed deep sorrow, saying, “This is heartbreaking.” She also sent her thoughts, love, and support to those affected, saying she was keeping them in her heart.

Jennifer Simard, known for her role in Death Becomes Her, shared a message of support, saying, “I hope knowing others are thinking of you brings some comfort. Sending you love.” Megan Fairchild of the New York City Ballet added, “Stephen, this is unbelievable… we love you all very much and are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Your positive energy and spirit always shone through, making this hard to accept.”

Busy Philipps also showed her support amid the unimaginable loss.

She expressed her deep sadness about the news, saying she was incredibly sorry for their loss. She shared that they had brought joy and laughter to so many, and sent her love and heartfelt sympathy to the family.

Stephen and Bret had previously announced that Bret was diagnosed with HLH and T-Cell Lymphoma, describing it as a rare and dangerous problem with the immune system.

It’s been such a difficult few weeks, with so much confusion and wrong turns trying to figure out what was happening to Bret. We finally have a diagnosis, which is a relief, but it means Bret is facing a long and tough journey ahead. It’s heartbreaking because this has forced him to put his dreams on hold while he focuses on treatment. We started a GoFundMe in August to help with the costs, and any support would mean the world to us.

What should have been a fresh start has unfortunately become a challenging time for Bret and Stephen, known as The Broadway Husbands. They’re always sharing their love and positivity with everyone around them, and now they need our support. Let’s return the kindness they’ve shown to so many and help them through this difficult period.

Oh my gosh, Bret is just amazing! I’ve been following him forever, and it’s incredible to see all he’s done. I remember when he first hit Broadway in The Beauty and the Beast – I was obsessed! But it doesn’t stop there! He was on Only Murders in the Building, which I rewatch constantly, and even had a part in The Wolf of Wall Street! Can you believe it? He was even on All My Children back in the day! Seriously, the man is a legend.

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2026-01-05 17:23