Tony Todd, the renowned actor famed for his iconic roles in Candyman and Final Destination, has passed away at the age of 69 following a long illness.
Key Highlights
Tony Todd, the celebrated actor, passed away on Wednesday at his home in Marina del Rey after battling a long illness.
His IMDb profile lists over nine projects currently in post-production, including The Bunker.
Tony Todd, the renowned actor famous for his roles in Candyman and Final Destination, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 69. According to his wife, Fatima, who confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter, Todd died at his home in Marina del Rey following a prolonged illness.
New Line Cinema, the studio behind the Final Destination series, honored Tony Todd on Instagram, writing, “The industry has lost a legend, and we have lost a dear friend. Rest in peace, Tony. -Your Final Destination Family.”
Born on December 4, 1954, in Washington, D.C., Tony Todd’s passion for acting led to a remarkable career that spanned several decades. He spent two years at the University of Connecticut before earning a scholarship to the prestigious Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Institute.
Todd’s education laid a strong foundation, which he further developed at the Hartman Conservatory in Stamford, Connecticut, and the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island.
His film career began in 1986 with Sleepwalk, launching a prolific career that would see him accumulate over 200 credits in both film and television. Todd became an icon with his portrayal of the chilling title character in 1992’s Candyman, a role he reprised in the 1995 sequel Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh and the 2021 reboot, solidifying his place in horror history.
In the Final Destination franchise, Todd played William Bludworth, a mysterious figure linked to the workings of death. He appeared in Final Destination (2000), Final Destination 2 (2003), and Final Destination 5 (2011).
Tony Todd’s talents extended far beyond the horror genre. He appeared in the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead and featured in films like The Rock (1996), The Crow (1994), Hatchet (2006), and The Man from Earth (2007).
Todd also made a significant impact on television. He portrayed Kurn, Worf’s brother, in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and appeared as Alpha Hirogen in Star Trek: Voyager. More recently, he voiced the villain Zoom in The Flash animated series.
Even in the later years of his career, Todd remained incredibly active. His IMDb profile lists over nine projects currently in post-production, including the upcoming 2024 film The Bunker.
Those who worked with Todd admired his commitment to his craft. Director Rel Dowdell, who collaborated with Todd on Changing the Game, described him as “a masterful actor, truly chameleonic, who approached every role with meticulous preparation. He was truly one of a kind.”
