Bret Hanna-Shuford, Broadway Actor, Seen in ‘Wicked’, Dies Due To An Aggressive Form of Lymphoma

The Broadway community is in mourning following the death of veteran actor Bret Hanna-Shuford, who passed away on January 3, 2026. Known for his vibrant energy and versatile talent, Shuford died at the age of 46 after a courageous but brief five-month battle with an aggressive form of cancer. His husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, noting that Bret was surrounded by family and passed away peacefully.

Bret was a beloved figure in New York theatre, appearing in major hits like Wicked, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. Beyond the stage, he was a powerful voice for the LGBTQ+ community, co-creating the popular "Broadway Husbands" brand with his husband to share their journey of parenthood and advocacy.

Bret Hanna-Shuford's Cause of Death

 

 

 

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A post shared by 👬Bret & Stephen | Broadway Dads 🌈 (@broadwayhusbands)

According to medical reports and family updates, Bret’s death was caused by complications from Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma (PTCL) and Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). It is an aggressive form of lymphoma. 

Bret was diagnosed in the summer of 2025. His case was particularly challenging because he was "CD30 negative," meaning certain common targeted therapies were less effective. While T-cell lymphoma is an aggressive blood cancer, HLH is a rare immune disorder where the body’s defence system becomes overactive and attacks its own healthy organs. The combination of these two conditions created a complex medical battle that required months of intensive hospitalisation.

A study emphasises the importance of early "subtype" identification. The research suggests that because PTCL is so diverse, standard treatments like CHOP chemotherapy are being replaced by more tailored approaches that target specific genetic mutations in the T-cells. This "precision medicine" is the current frontier in trying to increase survival rates for aggressive cases like Shuford's.

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Heartfelt Tribute from Husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford

In a deeply moving Instagram post, Stephen shared the news of Bret’s passing with their community of followers. He described Bret as "the most amazing man, husband, and Papa in the universe."

Stephen’s message was one of both grief and determination. He wrote, "Our hearts are broken, but we will continue to make him proud of us." The couple had been very transparent about Bret's health journey on their social media platforms, documenting the highs and lows of his treatment to raise awareness and stay connected with their fans.

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Conclusion

Bret Hanna-Shuford’s passing is a profound loss for the arts and the LGBTQ+ community. He used his platform to spread joy and provide a blueprint for modern gay fatherhood. While the Broadway stage has lost a bright light, his legacy lives on through his husband Stephen, their young son Maverick, and the thousands of people he inspired to live authentically.