Camden Toy, known for his work where he played with monsters Buffy the Vampire Slayer and other characters with prosthetics, died on Monday. He was 68 years old.
The character actor died after a two-year journey from pancreatic cancer, his representatives confirmed in a press release.
A few days before his death, his longtime partner Bethany Henderson spoke about his diagnosis on Facebook.
“He was diagnosed last February after months of mysterious pain. For many reasons, we had high hopes for at least a longer and more fruitful time on planet Earth. Even the more recent challenges have seemed more like hiccups in progress. Unfortunately, it seems we have reached end of the road with medical treatments,” Henderson posted in a Dec. 8 post.
Tribute to celebrities who died in 2023
Henderson added that Toy has not gone public with his diagnosis “for a number of reasons,” adding that his condition has “deteriorated a lot in the last 2 months and tremendously in the last few days.”
He went back to school and got a master’s degree in screenwriting after learning he had cancer. Before his death, he wrote two television shows, a feature film and a graphic novel that he hoped would be his legacy.
On Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he appeared playing characters such as the pale-faced gentleman, the vampire Turok-Han, and the demon Gnarl. He also played a role in a 2004 episode Buffy spinoff, Angel.
Juliet Landau, who appeared as Drusilla on Buffyhe remembered him as “a beautiful soul, a wonderful friend and a wonderful talent.”
Camden toy.
Albert L. Ortega/Getty
16 Big Stars You Totally Forgot Were in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
“From the first moment we met, I knew he was special. Beneath the face of a fictional monster, he shone with the kindest spirit. He was a gift in our lives. We will miss him dearly,” the statement read.
Toy’s other credits include roles in Good night Burbank and Cove. He also has multiple film roles in films such as Distraught and Average Joe.
His best friend, Doug Jones, said in a statement that “to know Camden Toy is to love Camden Toy.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Maybe we met on the set Buffy as two obnoxious ‘gentlemen’, but this only fostered a dear friendship that would last twenty-four years. It’s rare to find a man so joyful, smiling, smart, giggling, huggable, good at listening with his heart and always available to everyone he knew, including his many fans. May he rest in the peace of God,” his statement added.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education