Tony Todd, the American actor celebrated for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the Candyman horror film series, has died at 69. Reports indicate that Todd passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy in film and theater.
Best known for playing the vengeful ghost in Candyman a role he first embodied in 1992 Todd captured audiences worldwide with his haunting performance as a specter summoned by uttering his name five times in front of a mirror. With a hook for a hand, a swarm of bees, and a tragic backstory, Candyman became one of horror’s most iconic figures, and Todd’s interpretation resonated with audiences for decades. He reprised the role in two sequels in 1995 and 1999 and returned once more for a 2021 direct sequel, Candyman, produced by Jordan Peele and directed by Nia DaCosta.
In Candyman, Todd’s character, Daniel Robitaille, was a 19th-century artist whose life ended brutally at the hands of a lynch mob after a forbidden relationship. Robitaille’s vengeful spirit transforms into Candyman, who is inadvertently summoned by Helen Lyle, a graduate student portrayed by Virginia Madsen in the original film. Together, Todd and Madsen elevated the story’s horror elements by infusing them with complex human emotions, grief, and a reflection on race and social justice.
Reflecting on the Candyman legacy, Todd acknowledged how the character’s myth and horror resonated across racial and social lines. “This is the one that stays in people’s minds,” he said in an interview with The Guardian in 2019. “It affects people of all races. I’ve used it as an introductory tool in gang-intervention work: what frightens you? What horrible things have you experienced?”
One of the most memorable scenes in Candyman involves Todd’s character covered in bees, a sequence that required live bees and immense bravery on Todd’s part. According to Todd, he was stung 23 times and received a $1,000 bonus for each sting. “Everything that’s worth making has to involve some sort of pain,” he remarked about the intense filming experience.
The 2021 sequel brought Todd back into the public eye and reintroduced Candyman to new audiences. He praised DaCosta for her visionary direction, calling her a “fan of body horror” who brought new layers to the Candyman legend while maintaining its core themes. The film, co-written by Jordan Peele, explored deeper societal issues, further cementing Candyman’s place as both a horror classic and a culturally significant work.
In a moving tribute, Madsen, Todd’s co-star in Candyman, called him “a truly poetic man” and praised his vast artistic knowledge. “I will miss him so much and hope he haunts me once in a while,” Madsen said, adding humorously, “But I will not summon him in the mirror!” She acknowledged that Todd had become “an angel, as he was in life.”
Throughout his 40-year career, Todd appeared in over 200 films, television shows, and stage productions. His career began with a role in the 1986 war drama Platoon, and he continued with notable roles in the Transformers and Final Destination franchises. Todd brought gravitas to every project he touched, but it was his role in Candyman that became his calling card, cementing him as a horror icon.
Todd’s artistry and dedication made him a legend in the genre. In his own words, Candyman was the film that continued to “stay in people’s minds” and remained relevant for generations. Fans, colleagues, and film lovers will remember Todd not only as Candyman but as an artist who redefined horror, capturing the power of fear, memory, and myth.
