Tony Todd, the American actor famous for portraying the iconic character in the Candyman horror films, has died at 69 in Los Angeles. Todd’s portrayal of Candyman, a ghostly figure with a hook for a hand, began in the 1992 original and continued through several sequels, including a 2021 follow-up. Over a 40-year career, Todd appeared in numerous films, TV shows, and stage productions, with notable roles in the Transformers and Final Destination series. His Candyman character, Daniel Robitaille, is the ghost of a 19th-century Black artist who was tragically lynched.
In the 1992 film Candyman, Tony Todd’s character is accidentally summoned by a Chicago graduate student, triggering a series of violent events. Todd once shared that for a memorable scene where he is swarmed by bees, he endured 23 stings and received a $1,000 bonus for each. Reflecting on the experience, he remarked, “Everything that’s worth making has to involve some sort of pain.”
Tony Todd reflected on his Candyman character as his most memorable role, resonating deeply across diverse audiences. He even used the character in gang-intervention work to explore fear and trauma. Paying tribute, Candyman co-star Virginia Madsen called Todd “an angel” in life, describing him as a “truly poetic man” with a profound appreciation for the arts. She expressed her deep loss and playfully added that while she hopes he haunts her occasionally, she won’t summon him in the mirror.
In Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh, the 1995 sequel to the original film, Tony Todd’s character reappears in New Orleans, where he encounters a descendant of his daughter. The third film, Candyman: Day of the Dead, released in 1999 but set in 2020 Los Angeles, continued the legend. In 2021, Todd and other original cast members reprised their roles in a direct sequel to the 1992 film.
In 2020, Tony Todd praised the latest Candyman film as “brilliant,” noting director Nia DaCosta’s talent and her affinity for body horror. Virginia Madsen, who starred alongside Todd, expressed gratitude to co-writer Jordan Peele for giving her and Todd the chance to “live again as lovers” through the new film. Before Candyman, Todd’s early film career included a notable role as Sgt. Warren in the 1986 war drama Platoon.
