Tony Todd, the esteemed actor known for his commanding presence, distinctive voice and role in the “Candyman” franchise, passed away on November 6, 2024 at the age of 69 in Los Angeles, California.

Born on December 4, 1954 in Washington, DC, Todd’s journey into the arts began in Hartford, Connecticut, where he attended Hartford Public High School and was actively involved with the Artists Collective, Inc. Connecticut and the Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theater Institute.

Virginia Madsen, who co-starred with Todd in the original Candyman movie, expressed her sadness over his passing in a heartfelt video shared to her Instagram account.

“I just found out about Tony, and I will – I don’t know what to say right now,” Madsen told her followers. “But I am – anyway. Yes, I know about it, but I will say more about it,” Madsen wrote.

Todd’s illustrious career spanned more than four decades and included memorable performances in film, television and theater. He received critical acclaim for his portrayal of the titular character in the “Candyman” film series (1992–2021) and as William Bludworth in the “Final Destination” franchise (2000–2025). His versatility was reflected in roles such as Kurn in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”, and as the voice of The Fallen in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009). Off-screen, Tony has graced the stage in productions such as August Wilson’s ‘King Hedley II’ and Athol Fugard’s ‘The Captain’s Tiger’.