Tony Todd, the actor famed for his portrayal of the iconic phantom killer in the *Candyman* horror franchise, has passed away at the age of 69.
His death was confirmed on Saturday by his talent agent, Dede Binder, of the Defining Artist agency. No further details on his passing have been released.
Todd was best known for playing Daniel Robitaille, aka Candyman, a vengeful spirit summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror.
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He first brought the character to life in the 1992 film *Candyman*, based on a 1985 short story by Clive Barker, and later reprised the role in the 2021 reboot directed by Nia DaCosta.
His career began with a role in the critically acclaimed 1986 film *Platoon*, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Todd also appeared in Clint Eastwood’s 1988 biopic *Bird*, as well as *Lean on Me* (1989) and *The Rock* (1996).
Though Todd appeared in a range of genres, he was particularly known for his work in horror.
He played Bludworth in the *Final Destination* franchise and appeared in other genre films such as *Night of the Living Dead* (1990), *The Crow* (1994), and *Hatchet* (2006). In a 2020 interview with *The New York Times*, Todd embraced his status as a horror icon, saying he didn’t mind being labeled “Black horror royalty.” He explained, “You can label me however you want. I know who I am.”
Todd also had a successful television career, with notable roles in series like *Scream: The TV Series* (MTV), *Chuck* (NBC), *24* (Fox), and *The Young and the Restless* (CBS).
He made multiple appearances within the *Star Trek* universe, portraying Kurn and other characters, and lent his voice to projects like *The Flash* (CW) and *Transformers Prime*.
A classically trained actor, Todd earned a master’s degree from the Trinity Repertory Company and studied at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, often returning to the stage between his screen and voice roles.