His work in the two franchises helped cement him as an all-time horror icon.
Candyman and Final Destination star Tony Todd has died at the age of 69.
The horror icon passed away on Wednesday (6 November) at his home in Marina del Rey in California after a long illness, his wife told The Hollywood Reporter.
The actor studied at the University of Connecticut before moving to the Eugene O’Neill Actors Theatre Institute and the Trinity Repertory Company.
In 1986, he landed a supporting role in Oscar Best Picture winner Platoon before a few years later starring in the underrated 1990 remake of legendary horror Night of the Living Dead.
The latter was important as Todd mostly worked in the horror genre.
In 1992, he played the title role – a murderous ghost with a tragic backstory – in the modern classic Candyman.
Todd’s portrayal of the character was acclaimed. The actor brought a deep-voiced elegance and an almost Shakespearean level of gravitas rarely seen in slasher villains.
He reprised the role in three sequels, including 2021’s well-received reboot directed by Nia DaCosta and co-written by Jordan Peele.
Todd further cemented his horror bonafides with roles in The X-Files and the Scream TV show, as well as the movies The Crow, Hatchet, Wishmaster and Final Destination.
Regarding the latter, he appears throughout the franchise as fan favourite William Bludworth, an enigmatic mortician who is an expert on all things death.
He will appear as the character in the series’ upcoming 2025 entry Final Destination: Bloodlines.
Outside of horror, Todd had parts in the movies Bird, Colors, The Rock and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, as well as the shows 24, Chuck, The Flash, Smallville, Star Trek and Stargate: SG-1.
He also voiced Venom in the acclaimed 2023 game Spider-Man 2.
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