The Man Behind “Beauty and the Beast” Has Died, and the World Is Heartbroken
For millions of people, Peabo Bryson’s voice wasn’t just music. It was the sound of the most important moments of their lives.
With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and balladeer Peabo Bryson announced his passing on June 2, 2026. He died of complications from a stroke at a hospital in Marietta, Georgia. He was 75. VarietyLegacy
He transitioned peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him, according to the family’s statement. ABC News

A Voice Born in South Carolina, Built for Forever
Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, his love for music began with his mother, Marie Bryson, who had a passionate devotion to the art form and took him to hear the giants of music from an early age. By the time he was five or six years old, he could sing right along with them — astonishing audiences who couldn’t believe that kind of sound was coming from a little boy. ABC News
His singing career began at just 14, performing on the Chitlin’ Circuit. His 1976 independent debut earned him enough attention to land a deal with Capitol Records, where his major label albums Reaching for the Sky and Crosswinds each went gold. Legacy
He became one of the most in-demand voices in R&B — and then, somehow, he became even bigger.

The Duets That Defined a Generation
Bryson was the legendary voice behind two Oscar-winning Disney classics — “Beauty and the Beast” with Céline Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle. Both of his theme songs won Grammy Awards. TMZ
“A Whole New World” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 — the first song from an animated film ever to do so. TMZ
Those songs didn’t just chart. They played at weddings. They played at proms. They played in living rooms where parents danced with their kids. For more than five decades, his extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments — carrying generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories, and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration. The Hollywood Reporter
Bryson adored collaborating with other artists, particularly Roberta Flack and Céline Dion. “I adore being in her spiritual light,” he said of Flack in a 1999 interview. “She and Celine Dion are my two favorite people in the entire world.” Legacy

What We Know

Peabo Bryson died June 2, 2026, at a hospital in Marietta, Georgia Legacy
He died following complications from a stroke; his family had announced the stroke days before his passing Variety
He also suffered a massive heart attack in 2019 The Hollywood Reporter
He was 75 years old and is best known for “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” both Grammy winners TMZ
He is survived by his wife, Tanya Bonaface Bryson; his children, Robert and Linda; and three grandchildren The Hollywood Reporter
His final album, Stand for Love, was released in 2018 The Hollywood Reporter
Memorial and celebration of life details are forthcoming from the family

“His Legacy Will Live On for Generations”
Tributes poured in from across the music world within hours of the announcement.
Regina Belle, his duet partner on “A Whole New World,” released a statement saying: “Even when I am gone, a part of me will continue to live through the music we made together, just as a part of Peabo will continue to live in the hearts of everyone he touched through his extraordinary gift.” The Hollywood Reporter
The family asked for privacy as they mourn, describing Bryson as a beloved husband, father, family member, friend, and artist whose impact extended far beyond the stage. ABC News

Why This Matters
Peabo Bryson wasn’t a niche artist. He was a shared experience.
His voice threaded itself through American life in a way few artists ever achieve — through Disney films watched by children who grew up and danced to those same songs at their weddings. Through late-night R&B radio. Through collaborations that brought out the best in some of the greatest vocalists of the 20th century.
He was also known for R&B hits including “Feel the Fire” and “Can You Stop the Rain” — songs that reminded a generation what it felt like to be moved by a voice alone, no spectacle required. UPI
He kept singing well into his 70s. He had survived a massive heart attack in 2019. He was still performing as recently as March 2026. He gave everything he had, right up until the end. The Hollywood Reporter
His family said it best: his music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories, and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration — creating a legacy that will forever live in the hearts of those who loved him. Variety
That legacy isn’t going anywhere.