Tony Todd, the legendary actor celebrated for his roles in Candyman and Final Destination, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at his home in Marina Del Rey, California, at the age of 69. His death was confirmed by his representative, though the cause is yet to be disclosed.
Todd’s remarkable career spanned over 100 films and television shows, securing his reputation as a mainstay in the horror genre. Among his unforgettable roles were the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead, The Crow, and Final Destination, where he portrayed the eerie mortician William Bludworth. His role as the titular character in Candyman (1992) cemented his place in horror history, a role he revisited in sequels and the 2021 reboot directed by Nia DaCosta and co-written by Jordan Peele.
Virginia Madsen, his co-star in the original Candyman, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing, “My beloved. May you rest in power sweet to the sweet in heaven. The great actor Tony Todd has left us and now is an angel. As he was in life.”
Born on Dec. 4, 1954, in Washington, D.C., Todd made his film debut in 1986 with roles in Sleepwalk and Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning Platoon, portraying the complex character of Sgt. Warren. Todd’s versatility also shone on television, where he appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation as Klingon Kurn and delivered a moving performance on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as an older version of Benjamin Sisko’s son in “The Visitor.”
Even in his later years, Todd remained active, with projects in post-production, including the horror films Werewolf Game and The Witching Hour. During his 2022 promotion for the film Bitch Ass at SXSW, Todd explained his philosophy on creating horror villains. “There’s gotta be something attractive about the character that makes people want to root for them but at the same time feel repulsed by the idea,” he said. “And for me personally, for every film that I do, I create a backstory for all my tortured people and my heroes alike.”
Tony Todd is survived by his two children, Alex and Ariana, as reported by Variety. His legacy as a versatile and dedicated actor continues to inspire audiences around the world.
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