Tony Todd, Horror Veteran and Original Candyman, Dead at 69

As a fellow actor and admirer of the craft, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Tony Todd. His life was nothing short of inspiring, from his humble beginnings in Washington D.C. to his rise as a beloved figure in Hollywood.


Actor Tony Todd, who famously transformed a hand into a hook playing the main antagonist in the Candyman films, passed away on November 6 at his Los Angeles residence. He was 69 years old. His representative confirmed the news to Deadline, though the cause of death remains undisclosed. Born in Washington D.C. in 1954, Todd spent his youth in Connecticut, where his passion for acting ignited. “For me, theater is the heart and soul. It rescued my life,” he shared with CBR in 2017. “I was attending Hartford High School when the theater bug bit, and it saved my life. It gave me focus, direction, and purpose.” Todd continued to hone his skills in the New England region during his young adulthood, training at the Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theatre Institute in Connecticut and Trinity Repertory Company in Rhode Island.

Initially captivated by the stage, Tood eventually gained fame for an extensive collection of film and TV performances. Spanning over four decades, his career amassed more than 240 credits across movies and television series. Some of his notable roles include Platoon, the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead, The Crow, and both Star Trek and Final Destination franchises. In addition to acting in front of the camera, he lent his voice to characters such as Venom in Spider-Man 2. Posthumously, he will appear in Final Destination: Bloodlines, scheduled for release in 2025.

He was particularly recognized for portraying Daniel Robitaille/Candyman in the 1992 horror film “Candyman,” which was an adaptation of Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden” and marked the beginning of a trilogy of cult favorites. The movie sparked a 2021 sequel by Nia DaCosta. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary, Todd reflected on his experience as one of the first African Americans to star in a horror film that did not depict slavery. He explained that when he initially read the script, he searched for potential pitfalls, ensuring that if he was going to be one of the pioneering Black actors in a horror movie, it would provide a comprehensive narrative from start to finish. Todd expressed pride in the original film and its enduring impact, stating that being part of it was a significant part of his legacy and that he’s worked consistently for 30 years since then. In his words, “It’s a good thing.

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2024-11-09 07:53