Peabo Bryson, the R&B singer best known for his Disney duets "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World," died at age 75 on June 2, 2026, surrounded by family, his family announced [1, 2]. He had suffered a stroke earlier that week but no further cause of death was disclosed beyond that [1, 2].
Bryson was a two-time Grammy Award winner, receiving honors for his duets with Celine Dion and Regina Belle on Disney songs [1, 2]. His music career spanned more than five decades, with hits from the 1970s through the 2010s [1, 2]. His family said, "For more than five decades, Peabo's extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life's most cherished moments," and described his legacy as one that "will live on for generations to come" [1].
Born in South Carolina, Bryson started his career in the 1970s with Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display [2]. He achieved success with several R&B hits, including "Feel the Fire," "I'm So Into You," "Can You Stop the Rain," "If Ever You're In My Arms Again," and "Reaching for the Sky" [1, 2]. His duets with female vocalists such as Roberta Flack, Angela Bofill, and Regina Belle were defining parts of his career [1, 2]. He also appeared on the soap opera "One Life to Live" in 1985 and recorded its theme song version [2].
Bryson performed a concert in Georgia in May 2026 and had planned a Golden Touch tour later in 2026 [1]. Celine Dion said, "He made me so comfortable, as I was just learning to sing in English. His voice and his talent will be missed... My heart is with your family, and may you rest in peace, Peabo" [1].
His family announced he transitioned peacefully at 5 p.m. ET on June 2, 2026, surrounded by loved ones [2].
