Legendary Horror Star Tony Todd, Known for 'Candyman' and 'Final Destination,' Passes Away at 69

Actor Tony Todd, a horror genre icon famous for his role as the vengeful specter in "Candyman" and memorable turns in the "Final Destination" series, died Wednesday at his residence in Marina Del Rey, California. He was 69. Todd's representative confirmed his passing, though the cause of death has not been disclosed.

Todd’s career spanned four decades and featured unforgettable roles in films like The Crow, The Rock, and Platoon. His haunting voice and commanding 6'5" presence made him an unmistakable figure on screen. Fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation also remember him as Kurn, the brother of Worf, in a recurring role that showcased his range. However, Todd’s definitive mark on cinema came with his portrayal of Daniel Robitaille—the tortured, bee-covered ghost known as Candyman—in Bernard Rose's 1992 film. Adapted from a Clive Barker story, Candyman tackled themes of gentrification and racial injustice, catapulting Todd to cult status and earning critical praise for its bold storytelling. Virginia Madsen, Todd's co-star, paid tribute on social media, describing him as "an angel in life" and expressing her sorrow at his passing.

Debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness section, Candyman faced controversy over racial themes but has since become a cornerstone of horror cinema for its engagement with America’s fraught history of racism. Todd reprised his role in two sequels and again in the 2021 Candyman reboot, produced by Jordan Peele and directed by Nia DaCosta. In the film, Todd made a cameo, linking past and present iterations of the myth.

Born on December 4, 1954, in Washington, D.C., Todd’s passion for performance began with theater studies at the University of Connecticut and the Eugene O'Neill National Theatre Institute. He originated the lead role in August Wilson's King Hedley II, a performance that critics celebrated as a “tour de force.”

With over 200 screen credits, Todd’s work spanned genres and formats, including TV roles on Boston Public, Law & Order, The X-Files, and 24. He also voiced several characters, including The Fallen in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Zoom in The Flash, and most recently, Venom in the video game Spider-Man 2. Todd’s dedication to his craft continued into recent years, as his IMDb profile lists several films currently in post-production.

Todd leaves behind two children, Alex and Ariana, and an enduring legacy in film and television.