Peabo Bryson, the voice of Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'A Whole New World', dies at 75
The two-time Grammy-winning R&B singer, whose duets on 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin' became a defining soundtrack of the 1990s, died on Tuesday evening after suffering a stroke.
Peabo Bryson, the silky-smooth R&B singer whose voice anchored two of Disney's most celebrated animated film soundtracks, has died at the age of 75. His family confirmed he passed away peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
A stroke and a final farewell
Bryson suffered a stroke on May 28, according to The New York Times, and had been under medical care in the days leading up to his death. His family announced the stroke on Sunday, and he died two days later. A specific cause of death was not released publicly.
He transitioned peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.
The voice of a Disney renaissance
Bryson's global fame was cemented in the early 1990s with two Oscar- and Grammy-winning duets. In 1991, his platinum-selling version of the title track from 'Beauty and the Beast' with Celine Dion won the Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals. A year later, he repeated the feat with 'A Whole New World' from 'Aladdin', performed with Regina Belle. That single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ending Whitney Houston's 14-week run at the top with 'I Will Always Love You'.
For more than five decades, Peabo's extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life's most cherished moments.
Five decades of soul and R&B
Born and raised in South Carolina, Bryson began his career in the 1970s with the group Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display before signing with Atlanta's Bang Records as a solo artist. His 1976 debut album, 'Peabo', placed four sensual ballads in the top 30 of the U.S. soul charts. Through the 1980s, he built a reputation as a premier duet partner, recording with Roberta Flack ('Tonight, I Celebrate My Love'), Natalie Cole, and others. His solo hit 'If Ever You're in My Arms Again' reached No. 1 on Billboard's adult contemporary chart in 1984.
Relationships are a vast thing. They're like people: Everyone is different. So I write about them as I see them, and as I have experienced them.
A legacy beyond the charts
Beyond his recording career, Bryson appeared in theatrical productions including 'Raisin', 'The Wiz', and 'Porgy and Bess'. He released his 21st studio album, 'Stand for Love', in 2018, produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. As recently as May 2026, he performed a concert with Jeffrey Osborne in Georgia and was preparing for his Golden Touch tour, a celebration of his 50-year career.
While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.
