Tony Todd, best known as the lead actor of the Candyman franchise, has passed away on November 06, Wednesday. Todd was 69 years old. One of his representatives confirmed his death, without revealing its cause.
In a career spanning four decades, Todd also appeared in films such as The Crow, The Rock, and the Final Destination franchise. Oliver Stone’s Best Picture Oscar winner Platoon is among Todd's first few performances in feature films. His credits also include Star Trek: The Next Generation, where his character, Klingon Defense Force Commander, Kurn, wears alien makeup.
Todd cemented his place as a horror cinema icon with his role as Daniel Robitaille, also known as Candyman, in the 1992 Bernard Rose directorial. A towering Todd features in the film as the ghost of a black artist, who got murdered for the relationship he had with a white woman. Virginia Madsen also stars in the film as graduate student who looks into the heart of Chicago to prepare a thesis about the Candyman legend.
"Tony Todd, a truly poetic man. A voice that made it easy to swoon. Thanks to Bernard Rose, we really created a gothic romance. It’s why the film lives on. A gentle soul with a deep knowledge of the arts. He enjoyed the fans and was never shy when it came to fans approaching, wanting photos. A rare actor who allowed himself to be open to the public attention. Wish I had seen him on the stage. I will miss him so much and hope he haunts me once in a while. But I will not summon him in the mirror! What a gift that Jordon Peele let us live again as lovers. He talked about a prequel using technology so that we, ourselves could tell the tale of how their love began. Imagine that. I do. My dear friend Tony, I do," said Todd's Candyman co-star Madsen on Instagram.
Todd played the titular role in Candyman again in its 1995 and 1999 sequels. The actor's imposing presence and deep voice turned him into an unforgettable figure in horror cinema.
He is survived by his son Alex and daughter Ariana.