Peabo Bryson, the beloved singer famous for "Beauty and the Beast," has passed away at 75.
An icon in the music industry has passed away. Peabo Bryson, an R&B singer best known for his vocals on the popular renditions of "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World," passed away on June 2 at the age of 75, according to his family. Days after they disclosed that he had had a stroke, he passed away.
“He transitioned peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026,” in a statement to Variety, his family wrote, “surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.”
“For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments,” the statement went on. “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 and the countless lives he touched through song.”
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As they dealt with Bryson's passing, the family—which included wife Tanya Boniface, their 8-year-old son Robert, and his 58-year-old daughter Linda from a previous relationship—asked for privacy.
“We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world,” they stated. “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.”
Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, Bryson started his career as a professional singer when he was just a teenager.
In the 1970s, he enjoyed a number of R&B singles, such as "I'm So into You" and "Feel the Fire." "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" was one of the songs from his 1983 album Born to Love, which featured duets with Roberta Flack.
Additionally, Bryson's success came from his duets with Regina Belle for "A Whole New World" from 1992's Aladdin and Celine Dion for the Disney cartoon "The Beauty and the Beast" from 1991. For his Disney duets, he won two consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.
“Disney songs don’t come with a manual,” in 2018, Bryson stated on Closer Look With Rose Scott. “It’s whatever you give it. There’s no suggestion on how you approach it. You have to have something to give it; you have to make it yours.”
Bryson was also prepared to continue making his music uniquely his own for as long as possible at the moment.
“I have miles to go before I sleep,” he added. “There’s a gazillion things to sing about, to write about, to shout about.”
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