Broadway star and Wolf of Wall Street actor dies at

A Broadway performer and social media persona who starred in Wicked, The Wolf of Wall Street and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has handed away at the age of 46. Bret Hanna-Shuford’s family members announced the devastating news through an Instagram message to his devoted followers.

The assertion read: “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 love surrounded by his family.

“Our hearts are damaged however we are going to continue to make him proud of us,” the message continued. The entertainer had been preventing hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) for less than five months after his diagnosis.

Just days before his death, he shared an upbeat photo with his husband from his hospital room. Hanna-Shuford had been candidly sharing his health journey on his social media accounts since learning of his condition last summer.

In October, he disclosed that he had remained unconscious in intensive care for three days, sharing that he “wished to go dwelling”. A fundraising campaign was launched in August to help the performer with his medical expenses.

The fundraiser stated: “Our pricey good friend, husband, father, and brother, Bret Shuford, was not too long ago recognized with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and T-Cell Lymphoma, a uncommon and life-threatening immune condition.”

It added: “After many weeks of uncertainty, misdiagnoses, and numerous medical visits, Bret lastly has answers-but the street ahead will likely be lengthy and difficult.”

The entertainer was celebrated for his impressive Broadway resume. He had starred in shows including Beauty and the Beast, Wicked, and touring companies of Cirque Du Soleil’s Paramour, Amazing Grace, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Little Mermaid.

He also appeared in multiple TV shows, including Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (2018), Only Murders in the Building (2023) and The Good Fight (2020). The performer also had a role in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street.

Beyond the stage and screen, Hanna-Shuford built a significant social media following. Together with his husband, Stephen, they ran their shared social media account, the Broadway Husbands, where they documented their journey as gay fathers.

He is survived by his husband and son, along with his parents, Preston and Deanna; and his brothers, Todd, Eric and Bart. Fans have overwhelmed his Instagram posts with heartfelt tributes following the announcement of his death.

One user lamented in the comments: “Just noticed the news, it is so unfair. Cancer utterly sucks, he was in such a contented place in life, with a husband and maverick and it is not honest for cancer to take him away.”

Another user chimed in: “Farewell, Bret, my condolences to his household.”

Meanwhile, a third user poignantly penned: “RIP”, adopted by a coronary heart.