Veteran actor Tony Todd, known for his iconic role as the haunting villain in Candyman and for his diverse career spanning more than 240 film and television credits, passed away on November 6 at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 69. His representatives confirmed his death but did not disclose a cause.
Born on december 4, 1954, in Washington, D.C., Todd honed his craft at the Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theatre Institute and the Trinity Rep Conservatory. His career began with a powerful performance in Oliver Stone’s Platoon, portraying Sergeant Warren, a heroin-addicted soldier in the Best Picture-winning Vietnam War drama. This role launched Todd into a prolific career that showcased his versatility across television and film.
Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Todd became a familiar face on hit TV shows including 21 Jump Street, The X-Files, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, and Star Trek: The Next Generation, where he portrayed the Klingon Kurn, the brother of Worf, among other roles in the Star Trek universe. His work also included a recurring role as Matt Rhodes on Homicide: Life on the Street and an extended stint as Gus Rogan on The Young and the Restless.
Todd’s most famous role came in 1992 with Candyman, where he portrayed Daniel Robitaille, a vengeful spirit rooted in a tragic backstory that spoke to themes of love, racism, and trauma. Todd’s performance in the original film cemented the character as a horror icon, a legacy he revisited in the 2021 sequel directed by Nia DaCosta. He was also known for his role as William Bludworth in the Final Destination franchise, a character who added a chilling layer of mystery to the series’ lore.
Beyond horror, Todd’s career featured roles in films like Lean on Me, Colors, The Crow, and Bird. He lent his resonant voice to numerous animated series and video games, including Transformers Prime, Call of Duty, and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!, and appeared in recent indie horror projects like Stream and Realm of Shadows.
Tony Todd leaves behind a legacy defined by range, resilience, and a profound dedication to his craft. His presence, on and off the screen, will be remembered by audiences and colleagues alike, celebrating a career that spanned genres, generations, and powerful stories of the human experience.