Tony Todd, a prolific actor who starred in genre hits like Candyman and Final destinationdied Wednesday, November 6, at his home in Marina Del Rey, California. He was 69 years old.
Todd’s rep confirmed his death to PEOPLE. The cause of death was not immediately known.
The actor starred in more than 100 films and television shows, and was a reliable presence in genre events. His horror credits include the 1990 remake of the film Night of the living dead, Crowand Final destination films, in which he played William Bludworth.
Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen in ‘Candyman’ (1992).
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Todd also scared audiences with his performance as the titular character in 1992 Candyman. After playing the role in the 1995 and 1999 sequels, he returned in the 2021 reboot of the franchise directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Jordan Peele.
Virginia Madsen, who starred opposite Todd in the original Candymanshared an emotional tribute to the actor on Instagram.
“My beloved. Rest in strength sweetie in heaven,” she wrote. “The great actor Tony Todd has left us and is now an angel. What he was like in life. Later, but I can’t right now. I love you.”
A native of Washington, DC, he made his film debut in 1986, appearing in Sleepwalker and Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning classic The Vietnam War Line. In the war film, he played a sergeant addicted to heroin. Warren.
In terms of television, Todd has worked in almost every genre. He had a recurring role in Star Trek: The Next Generation like the Klingon Kurn. On Star Trek: Deep Space Ninehe made a memorable turn in the episode “The Visitor” as the grown-up version of Benjamin Sisko’s son.
Todd was born on December 4, 1954. In an interview with The Guardianhe credited his aunt Clara Elliston with setting him on the path to acting. He moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where Ellison worked as a maid.
“She would bring me to one of her places and I would stay in the library while she cleaned the house,” Todd said. “I have loved books since childhood, so I was satisfied.”
Although he later reconciled with his mother, Todd said The Guardian that his turbulent childhood propelled his career.
“It all drives me as an actor,” he said. “Because it’s part of my DNA, part of my pain, my pleasure, my intellectual zone, my comfort and my discomfort.”
Todd has continued to work and has several projects in post-production, including horror films Werewolf game and The magic hour.
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Tony Todd 2019
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2022, when Todd promoted his film at SXSW bitch assDeadline asked him what makes the ultimate horror movie villain.
“You have to have the audience sympathize with the character in one way or another,” he replied. “There has to be something attractive about the character that makes people want to root for them, but at the same time they feel repulsed by the idea. And for me personally, for every film I do, I create a backstory for all my tortured people and my heroes alike.”
He is survived by two children, Alex and Ariana, per Diversity.
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Source: HIS Education