Tony Todd: The eerie Candyman actor Tony Todd died at 69. His wife said he died at his Los Angeles home on November 6 after a long illness.
Todd’s career spanned four decades from his 1954 birth in Washington, D.C. He made an impact in Hollywood with over 240 films and TV shows.
The Oscar-winning Platoon cast Todd as heroin-addicted Sergeant Warren, his first major role. After The Rock (1996) with Nicolas Cage, he portrayed Grange in The Crow (1994).
Candyman (1992) was Todd’s most famous role. He played furious hook-handed Daniel Robitaille. The film on racism and social issues became a genre classic. Todd returned in the 2021 Candyman revival, reinforcing his scary legacy.
Todd played in Star Trek, The X-Files, 21 Jump Street, and Beverly Hills 90210. He voiced characters in Call of Duty and Half Life.
Todd was a social activist as well as an actor. His fame inspired poor youth to seek performing careers.
Deep voice and commanding presence make Todd a sought-after character actor. He often played antagonists, but never one-dimensional. Todd said, “Every character I play has a backstory,” giving even the harshest roles dimension.
Todd’s compassion and generosity won both fans and coworkers. The Final Destination family revered him as a “cherished friend.”
Horror and cinema enthusiasts lost Tony Todd. He was a genre great whose characters shaped the screen. Rest easy, Tony.