Tony Todd, Star of Candyman, Dead at 69

Tony Todd, Star of Candyman, Dead at 69

As a dedicated follower of horror cinema, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss with the passing of Tony Todd. His unique baritone voice and unforgettable performances have been an integral part of my Halloween nights for decades. From his chilling portrayal of Candyman to his menacing roles in The Crow and Final Destination, Todd’s talent for bringing fear to life was truly unparalleled.


The acting world has lost a horror film icon.

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Tony Todd, a renowned actor primarily recognized for his performances in the films ‘Candyman’ and ‘Final Destination’. At the time of his death, he was 69 years old.

The actor passed away Nov. 6 at his home in Los Angeles, Deadline reported, citing his rep.

The Washington, D.C. native studied acting at the Hartman Conservatory in Stamford, Connecticut and the Trinity Square Repertory Theatre Conservatory in Providence, Rhode Island. He made his onscreen debut in 1986 in the movie Sleepwalk and also starred that year in Oliver Stone‘s Oscar-winning Vietnam War film Platoon.

In 1990, Todd made an appearance as Ben in a revamped version of “Night of the Living Dead.” He also showed up on many television series, like “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and eventually secured his breakthrough part in the 1992 movie “Candyman.

He played the same leading role, that of a murderer with a hook instead of a hand who is called forth when someone chants his name five times while looking into a mirror, across three follow-up films. The latest one, titled “Candyman,” was released in 2021.

Additionally, Todd appeared in films like “The Crow” and “The Rock,” took on the role of William Bludworth in the 2000 horror movie “Final Destination,” and starred in its subsequent three installments as well.

Todd shared during the 2022 edition of the Double Toasted Interviews podcast that his career wasn’t a deliberate choice to focus on horror films as some might think. Instead, he considered it a stroke of luck that occurred post-schooling. He doesn’t feel embarrassed about this turn of events; rather, he is content with it. There are roles in his repertoire that have left an indelible mark on audiences, and this brings him joy.

For the last three decades, Todd has consistently been featured on television, primarily in science fiction, fantasy, and spy series. These roles include appearances on shows like The X-Files, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, Smallville, Charmed, 24, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Later on, he portrayed two roles: Klingon Commander Kurn and also the grown-up Jake Sisko, son of Captain Benjamin Sisko, who spent several decades attempting to save his father after an incident in the episode “The Visitor.” This role was particularly cherished by Star Trek fans.

In a conversation with StarTrek.com back in 2010, I shared how ‘The Visitor’ transformed my life in more ways than one. It wasn’t merely about convention appearances; at the time, that particular episode aired, the internet was rapidly expanding. Hours upon hours, I found myself immersed, soaking up the overwhelmingly positive responses pouring in from fans about that single episode.

He shared that he took on the role following the death of his aunt, who had been his sole caregiver. Moreover, he mentioned that portraying Jake served as a tribute to the influential and beloved guardian in his life.

He reminisced about a time when he was utterly stunned, unable to work for approximately four months. However, it was his role that served as the motivation, helping him rise from his bed, leaving home, and ultimately leading him to the producers’ office.

Tony Todd, Star of Candyman, Dead at 69

Todd was recognized for his deep voice and played roles in series like “Masters of the Universe,” “Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!,” “The Flash,” and “Dota: Dragon’s Blood” as well as several video games, including “Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

Lately, the actor was frequently featured in the podcast “Winnie Taylor’s 4th & Inches”. At the time of his passing, he had finished approximately 10 acting and voiceover jobs that are still pending release.

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2024-11-09 21:47