Legendary actor Tony Todd has passed away at the age of 69, as confirmed by THR. The star, known for his roles in Candyman, Platoon, and Star Trek: The Next Generation, accumulated over 250 professional credits during his remarkable five-decade career. Todd died on November 6 at his home in Los Angeles after a prolonged illness.

Anthony Tiran Todd was born in Washington D.C. on December 4, 1954, to Evetta Lyons Gaither. At the age of three, he moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where his aunt, Clara Elliston, took custody of him and nurtured his interest in the arts. Elliston enrolled Todd in summer acting courses and supported him artistically, financially, and emotionally. His passion for theater led him to attend the Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theatre Institute in Connecticut and the Trinity Repertory Company in Rhode Island.

Standing at 6'5" tall, Todd's striking appearance and distinctive voice quickly landed him roles in film and television. In 1986, at 32, he made his big-screen debut in Sara Driver's Sleepwalk and followed it with a notable performance as Sgt. Warren in Oliver Stone's Oscar-winning Platoon. This led to roles in 21 Jump Street, MacGyver, Tom Savini's 1990 Night Of The Living Dead remake, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

However, it was his role in Bernard Rose's 1992 urban folk horror classic Candyman that truly defined Todd's career. As the hook-handed, mink-wearing title character, a mythical reincarnation of Daniel Robitaille, Todd brought one of horror's most iconic figures to life. His performance redefined possibilities for African American genre actors. With his smooth tone, striking smile, and notable chest apiary (involving live bees and a $23,000 sting-based bonus), Todd created a character that was both seductive and menacing, enduring in the cultural consciousness.

Todd reprised the role in Candyman II: Farewell To The Flesh and again in Nia DaCosta's 2021 Candyman reboot. He also made memorable appearances in films and TV shows like The Crow, The X-Files, The Rock, Murder, She Wrote, and The Man From Earth. His work in Star Trek: Voyager and Deep Space Nine included one of the franchise's all-time great episodes, 'The Visitor'.

Horror remained a significant part of Todd's career. His presence in films like Wishmaster and Hatchet added genre credibility, while his recurring role as undertaker-turned-mortician William Bludworth in the Final Destination franchise bridged life and death. He even voiced the Devil in Final Destination 3.

Beyond his screen work, Todd also had a prolific voice acting career. He lent his voice to projects like Transformers Prime, Call Of Duty: Black Ops II, Be Cool Scooby-Doo!, Masters Of The Universe: Revelation, and multiple appearances as Darkseid in the DC Animated Universe. In Marvel's Spider-Man 2, he voiced the symbiotic supervillain Venom, adding another iconic role to his resume.

Despite his passing, several of Todd's projects, including the upcoming Indiana Jones And The Great Circle video game, remain in post-production. This offers solace, knowing his voice will continue to resonate.

In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Todd reflected on his legacy. He hoped to inspire, saying, "I’m an African American man who wasn’t supposed to make it. And somehow I beat the system. I want to be an inspiration. Cos somewhere out there is a little boy who’s confused, just like I was. And I want to say: you can do it."

In an emotional Instagram post, his Candyman co-star Virginia Madsen remembered him as "a gentle soul", "a rare actor", and "a dear friend". At Empire, we remember Tony Todd as a trailblazer and a true genre great, whose legacy will endure for generations. He will be missed, and our thoughts are with his friends and family.

Source link:   https://www.empireonline.com