Peabo Bryson, the velvety-voiced R&B star whose duets defined Disney’s golden era of animation soundtracks, has died at 75. The singer behind the Oscar-winning “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, after suffering a stroke. He died peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET in a hospital in Marietta, Georgia, surrounded by family.

Peabo Bryson dead at 75 hits hard for anyone who grew up with those sweeping romantic ballads or danced at weddings to his smooth soul classics. His family shared the news in a statement that captured both the heartbreak and the gratitude for a life spent making music that touched millions.

Peabo Bryson Stroke Complications: Family Shares Heartfelt Statement

The family announced his passing with grace and love. Here is their full statement:

“With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing. 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. For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments. 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. In this deeply difficult moment, the family asks for privacy as they mourn the loss of a beloved husband, father, family member, friend and artist whose impact extended far beyond the stage. We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world. 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.”

The statement confirms he had been under medical care since the stroke became public knowledge days earlier. No further details on the exact medical timeline were released, and the family has asked for space while they grieve.

Beauty and the Beast Singer Peabo Bryson Leaves a Five-Decade Legacy

Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, he built a career that spanned soul, pop and the kind of heartfelt ballads that still get requested at celebrations today. He started in the 1970s with early hits like “Feel the Fire” and “Reaching for the Sky,” then crossed over in the 1980s with “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again.”

His biggest cultural moment arrived in the early 1990s when Disney came calling. The duet “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion won a Grammy and helped introduce his warm, reassuring voice to a whole new generation. A year later he teamed with Regina Belle on “A Whole New World” from Aladdin and won another Grammy. Those two back-to-back wins cemented his place in pop culture history.

  • “Beauty and the Beast” (with Celine Dion) – 1991 Disney classic
  • “A Whole New World” (with Regina Belle) – 1992 Aladdin hit
  • “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” (with Roberta Flack)
  • “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” – 1984 Top 10 pop crossover
  • “Feel the Fire” and other 1970s R&B staples

He released nearly 20 albums, performed on Broadway tours, and even sang the theme for the soap opera One Life to Live for years. His voice carried that rare combination of power and tenderness that made every lyric feel like it was meant for the listener personally.

Celine Dion and Fans React to Peabo Bryson Death

Tributes arrived quickly. Celine Dion, his “Beauty and the Beast” partner, posted a throwback photo and wrote from the heart: “I’m heartbroken to hear that we lost Peabo Bryson today. His incredible voice and his kind spirit embodied the beauty of song and performance. He made me so comfortable, as I was just learning to sing in English.”

Fans flooded social media with memories. Many shared videos of first dances at weddings set to his songs. Others simply said his voice felt like an old friend who showed up exactly when needed. One fan captured it perfectly: “The voice of an angel that will continue to make us all smile for years to come.”

During Black Music Month, the timing of his passing adds another layer of reflection on the deep well of talent he represented in R&B and soul.

What Happens Next for Peabo Bryson’s Family and Legacy

Memorial and celebration-of-life plans will be announced later. The family has requested privacy but expressed deep appreciation for the global outpouring of support. His music continues streaming heavily, and the Disney classics he helped define remain part of family movie nights and nostalgic playlists everywhere.

Peabo Bryson dead at 75 closes one chapter, but the songs that made him a household name will keep playing for generations who never got to see him live. That velvety tone, the effortless warmth, the way he could turn a simple love song into something cinematic — that stays.