Peabo Bryson, the smooth powerhouse voice behind some of Disney’s most unforgettable love songs, has died at 75. His death comes just days after his representatives confirmed he had suffered a stroke and was receiving medical care. TMZ reported Bryson died Tuesday at 5 PM, “surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.” People also confirmed his passing on June 2, 2026.
In a statement shared with TMZ, Bryson’s family said, “With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing.”
For many fans, Bryson was not just a singer. He was the voice that made animated fairytales feel grown, emotional, and radio-ready. His duet with Céline Dion on “Beauty and the Beast” helped turn the 1991 Disney classic into a pop culture event, while his performance with Regina Belle on “A Whole New World” gave “Aladdin” one of the most recognizable ballads of the early ’90s.
That crossover power was not accidental. Bryson brought a grown R&B polish to songs built for family films, giving Disney a sound that reached far beyond children’s theaters. According to the Recording Academy, Bryson won two Grammys, including Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Beauty and the Beast” and again for “A Whole New World.”
Both songs also became Oscar-winning Disney staples. The LA Phil notes that “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World” each won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, locking Bryson’s voice into two major moments in film music history.
Still, Bryson’s career was bigger than Disney. Before those soundtrack hits introduced him to a new generation, he had already built a reputation as one of R&B’s signature balladeers, known for romantic records, polished duets, and a vocal style that carried warmth without losing control.
His death now closes the chapter on a voice that lived in multiple worlds at once: soul radio, wedding playlists, Disney nostalgia, and Grammy history. And while fans are mourning the loss, the music is already doing what Bryson always made it do, carrying the feeling long after the final note.
