Tony Todd, renowned for his roles in the Final Destination franchise, Night of the Living Dead, and The Rock, has sadly passed away at the age of 69. His representative confirmed that he died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Todd’s legacy spans over four decades and more than 200 acting credits across both film and television, solidifying his place as a memorable figure in the entertainment industry.

Among his extensive body of work, he is perhaps best remembered for his iconic portrayal in the horror genre, particularly for his role as the titular character in the 1992 film Candyman. The film, based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden,” introduced Todd as the haunting figure of a hook-wielding spirit, rooted in the tragic history of a 19th-century American slave. This role catapulted him to fame and established him as a household name in horror cinema.

Todd reprised his role in two sequels: Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh in 1995 and Candyman 3: Day of the Dead in 1999. He made a triumphant return to the character in 2021 for Nia DaCosta’s relaunch of Candyman, co-written by the acclaimed filmmaker Jordan Peele.

In addition to his cinematic achievements, Todd had a successful stage career, showcasing his talents in various Broadway productions, including The Captain’s Tiger, Othello, and the musical Aida. His versatility as an actor is evident through his notable appearances in television series such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager, as well as his impactful role in Platoon.

Following the news of his passing, Virginia Madsen, Todd’s co-star in the Candyman series, paid a heartfelt tribute via a video shared on Instagram, expressing her grief and admiration: “I don’t know what to say right now.” She accompanied her emotional message with a poignant caption, stating: “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, just as he was in life. More later, but I can’t right now. I love you.”

In a subsequent post, she described Todd as a “truly poetic man” with “a gentle soul and a deep knowledge of the arts.” She humorously referenced his iconic role by saying, “I will miss him so much and hope he haunts me once in a while. But I will not summon him in the mirror!”

Tony Todd – 1954-2024