Tony Todd, the authoritative actor whose supernatural rendition of swinging the hook Candyman cemented his status as a horror genre icon and died Wednesday at his Los Angeles-area home at the age of 69, his representatives confirmed.

The veteran actor’s death was announced by his longtime manager Jeffrey Goldberg: “I was privileged to have Tony as my friend and client for over 30 years and I will miss that great man every day,” he said in a statement .

Todd’s towering presence and resonant voice made him an imposing figure throughout his four-decade career in Hollywood, including memorable roles in Oliver Stone’s Academy Award-winning film. Platoon (1986) and the successful Final destination franchise.

Popular YouTube horror content creator James A. Janisse of Dead Meat reflected on Todd’s captivating presence: “Tony Todd was a titan of the horror community, and I’m not talking about his height. His commanding screen presence made you stop in your tracks and listen, whether it was Candyman or just a cameo. In real life he was as warm as his booming voice. He gave the best hugs. I will miss him so much.

It was his mesmerizing performance as the vengeful ghost in the 1992 horror classic Candyman that would ultimately define his legacy in American cinema.

The groundbreaking film, which expertly explored themes of urban legends and racial injustice through the story of a serial killer haunting Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing projects, took on renewed cultural significance with the Jordan Peele-produced remake of 2021.

Actor O’Shea Jackson Jr. paid tribute by invoking the film’s famous mirror ritual: “An absolute legend. Rest in peace, broda. Tony Todd. Tony Todd. Tony Todd. Tony Todd…”

The horror community immediately expressed an outpouring of grief on social media platforms following news of his death. “My heart is broken. We have lost our horror legend,” horror movie critic Ivotres Littles told X. “His kindness and love for acting runs deep. I will still hear his iconic voice.”

New Line Cinema, the studio behind some of Todd’s most successful films, stated on Instagram: “The industry has lost a legend. We have lost a dear friend.”

Social media page Carnival of Horror shared several photos of the actor with the message: “I’m absolutely devastated. RIP, Tony Todd. You will always be remembered for your film and TV roles and the kindness and joy you showed to your friends. fans.”

Throughout his impressive career, Todd demonstrated remarkable range as an actor, earning praise for his ability to bring depth and humanity to every role. Horror critic Meagan Navarro highlighted this versatility in her tribute: “Filling Duane Jones’ shoes as Ben for the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD remake should have been an impossible task. Yet Tony Todd did just that, and so easily. His take on Ben has all the warmth, empathy and impressive gravitas.”

In addition to his contributions to horror cinema, Todd built an impressive television career that spanned decades, with memorable performances in popular series including Night Court, MatlockAnd Law and order.

Emmy-nominated writer and FX’s Pose producer Steven Canals recalled working with Todd during his early days in television: “Tony Todd starred in my first TV writing job as a staff writer (Freeform’s Death of the summer). What a friendly person. What a talent. May he rest in strength and peace.”

Behind the scenes, Todd was known as a passionate advocate for emerging talent in Hollywood. His management company noted his dedication to mentoring aspiring actors and advocating for greater representation within the industry.

“Whether on stage, on screen or in personal conversations, Tony brought an unyielding honesty that resonated deeply with his friends, family and fans,” the company said in their announcement.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.