Alex Carter
We at Bloody Disgusting are heartbroken to announce the passing of the horror legend Tony Todd, renowned for his unforgettable portrayal of the title character in Candyman (1992) and its sequels. Todd passed away on November 6 at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 69. The news was first reported by Deadline.
With a career spanning four decades, Todd amassed an impressive portfolio of over 240 film and TV credits. His breakthrough came with his role in Oliver Stone’s 1986 Vietnam War epic Platoon, and he soon cemented his place in the horror genre.
Todd’s commanding performance in Tom Savini’s 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead as Ben, originally played by Duane Jones in George A. Romero’s iconic 1968 original, was a key factor in the remake’s success. His portrayal of Candyman, despite having less than 10 minutes of total screen time, left an indelible mark on the horror genre, thanks to Todd’s iconic performance.
At the Salem Horror Fest in 2023, Todd traced his passion for acting back to a high school English teacher who introduced him to William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. “It was a transformative moment. I knew then that my life would be dedicated to portraying deep, enriched characters and representing those who didn’t have the same opportunities,” he said.
Todd also left a lasting impression in the Final Destination series as coroner William Bludworth, a character speculated to be either the Grim Reaper or Satan himself. His enigmatic and charismatic performance made him a fan-favorite and a staple of the franchise, leading to speculations about Bludworth’s backstory in Final Destination 6.
Todd’s love for the genre was evident in his work, and he was equally adored by fans. His other notable works include Wishmaster, The Crow, Adam Green’s Hatchet series, Hell Fest, Freeform’s Dead of Summer, MTV/VH1’s Scream, among others.
Todd’s distinctive deep voice also led to numerous voice-acting roles, including Darkseid in the DC Animated Movie Universe and Venom in Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Tony Todd’s remarkable contributions to theater, television, film, and video games have left us with countless memorable moments. He will be deeply missed.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tony’s friends and family. His legacy will live on in our hearts forever.
As a horror movie enthusiast and co-founder of Bloody Disgusting, I’ve had the privilege of working with legends like Tony Todd. I’m also a producer on Terrifier 3, Southbound, V/H/S/2/3/94/99/85/BEYOND, SiREN, Under the Bed, and A Horrible Way to Die. Based in Chicago, I’m a lover of horror, pizza, basketball, and Taco Bell. My favorite franchises include Hellraiser, Child’s Play, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Scream, and Friday the 13th. For me, every day is a day for horror.
