Broadway actor Bret Hanna-Shuford, known for his roles in “Wicked” and “The Little Mermaid,” has died at 46 after a devastating battle with rare cancer. His husband Stephen and their son Maverick are his survivors. A GoFundMe raised over $300,000 to support his medical treatment and his family.
Bret Hanna-Shuford, a Broadway actor and influential figure in the theater world, has died. He was 46. His husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford, announced the news on Instagram on Saturday, describing Bret as “the most amazing man, husband, and Papa in the universe.”
Bret’s death was peaceful, surrounded by love and his family, Stephen wrote. “Our hearts are broken, but we will continue to make him proud of us,” Stephen’s post concluded.
Bret was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis — two rare and aggressive immune disorders — during the summer. His friend and college classmate Scott Barnhardt launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Bret’s medical treatment, which raised over $300,000. Barnhardt asked for continued support for Stephen and their 3-year-old son, Maverick.
“Please hold Stephen and his son, Maverick, in your thoughts and prayers,” Barnhardt wrote. “And, if you’re so able, please continue to contribute to and share their GoFundMe. Sending love to you all… and gratitude for the incredible support Bret’s village provided him these past few months… the most beautiful symbol of a life well lived.”
Bret Hanna-Shuford was born in 1979 and began performing at a young age. He wrote on his website, “I fell in love with movie musicals before I even hit kindergarten.” His early passion led him to join The Gingerbread Company, a traveling children’s performance group, at age 5. He later pursued acting seriously, performing in stage adaptations of iconic animated musicals.
“Disney Theatrical took me under its wing when I was cast in Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast and subsequently The Little Mermaid,” he recalled. “Both shows were dreams come true, and continue to have been gifts in my life. During that time, I met my husband, ballet dancer and actor Stephen Hanna.”
His Broadway credits include Wicked, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour, and Amazing Grace. On screen, he appeared in The Wolf of Wall Street and episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Only Murders in the Building, and The Good Fight. He also lent his voice to the hit video game Red Dead Redemption 2.
The Hanna-Shufords shared the Instagram account Broadway Husbands, which chronicled their lives as theatrical performers, husbands, and fathers to Maverick. Bret also trained as a life coach and created a YouTube channel to share his journey with aspiring actors.
“As a kid from small-town Texas, I could never have imagined what it would be like to be in an Oscar-nominated movie or a Tony-nominated show,” he wrote. “And that’s why I became a certified life coach and started my YouTube channel — to show people across the country that fulfillment in this career is possible.”
Bret was pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Central Florida when he was diagnosed. He paused his studies to focus on treatment. He is survived by his husband, Stephen, and their son, Maverick.
For fans, Bret’s legacy is not just in his performances but in his authenticity, his advocacy for others, and his commitment to uplifting fellow artists. He was a pillar of the Broadway community, and his work continues to inspire.
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