Tony Todd, Star of *Candyman* and *Final Destination*, Dies at 69
Tony Todd, the towering actor best known for his portrayal of the iconic hook-wielding ghost in *Candyman*, has passed away at 69. He died Wednesday at his home in Marina Del Rey, California, with a cause of death not immediately disclosed. A representative confirmed the news.
With a career spanning four decades, Todd was a steadfast presence in genre films, from horror to action to science fiction. His vast filmography includes notable roles in films such as *The Crow* (1994), *The Rock* (1996), and the *Final Destination* franchise. One of his earliest significant roles came in Oliver Stone’s *Platoon* (1986), where he appeared as a soldier in the Oscar-winning war epic.
Todd also made his mark on television, portraying Kurn, a Commander in the Klingon Defense Force and brother to Worf (Michael Dorn), on *Star Trek: The Next Generation*.
But it was his role in *Candyman* (1992), directed by Bernard Rose, that solidified his place in horror history. Adapted from Clive Barker’s short story, *Candyman* explored themes of gentrification and racism in urban America. Todd played Daniel Robitaille, the tragic figure whose murder as an African American artist led to his ghostly transformation as the vengeful Candyman. The film’s haunting atmosphere and social relevance helped it gain a devoted cult following, and Todd’s chilling performance remains a hallmark of the genre.
Tony Todd reprised his role in several *Candyman* sequels, including *Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh* (1995) and *Candyman: Day of the Dead* (1999). The franchise was revived in 2021 with a new installment co-written by Jordan Peele, where Todd once again appeared, connecting the modern *Candyman* to its original legacy.
Born December 4, 1954, in Washington, D.C., Todd studied at the University of Connecticut before focusing on theater, where he trained at the Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Institute. He eventually took the stage, originating the role of King Hedley II in August Wilson’s *King Hedley II*, earning critical acclaim for his powerful performances.
Over the course of his career, Todd amassed over 200 acting credits, including recurring roles on *Boston Public* and guest appearances on shows like *Law & Order*, *The X-Files*, *Smallville*, *Psych*, and *24*. He also lent his distinctive voice to characters in films and video games, voicing The Fallen in *Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen* (2009), Zoom in *The Flash* TV series, and Venom in *Spider-Man 2* for PlayStation.
In addition to his horror roles, Todd starred in the 1990 remake of *Night of the Living Dead* and became one of the few actors to appear across multiple *Final Destination* films, where his character was one of the franchise’s few recurring figures amid the series’ frequent cast changes.
In recent years, Todd continued to work in the genre, appearing in several direct-to-video films. His IMDb page lists over nine projects currently in post-production. Todd is survived by his two children, Alex and Ariana.
Fans and colleagues have expressed their grief, with *Candyman* co-star Virginia Madsen sharing a heartfelt tribute on Instagram: “My beloved. May you rest in power. The great actor Tony Todd has left us and now is an angel. As he was in life. More later but I can’t right now. I love you.”
Tony Todd’s powerful presence and unforgettable performances have left an indelible mark on horror and popular culture.
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