(Gray News) – Tony Todd, the actor best known for his portrayal of the titular character in the “Candyman” films, has died at the age of 69, according to media reports.
A representative for Todd reportedly confirmed his death to Variety on Friday.
Todd died Wednesday, Nov. 6, at his home in Marina Del Rey, California.
A cause of death was not yet confirmed.
Todd was born Dec. 4, 1954 in Washington D.C.
According to IMDB.com, he pursued acting at the Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theatre Institute and Trinity Rep Conservatory.
One of his first film roles was playing Sergeant Warren in Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War classic “Platoon.”
Todd would fully establish his status in the pop culture lexicon as Daniel Robitaille, also known as Candyman, in the film of the same name.
Adapted from a 1985 Clive Barker short story, “Candyman” is a horror movie that explores themes of gentrification and racism through the lens of urban legend.
The character of Candyman is a hook-wielding ghost of a man who was an African American artist and son of a slave, murdered for having a relationship with a white woman.
According to IMDB.com, Todd’s had more than 250 credits in film and TV spanning his entire acting career.
He starred in series like “21 Jump Street,” “Night Court,” Law & Order,” “Xena: Warrior Princess” and many more.
The actor also lent his voice to a number of animated features and video games, most recently voicing the character of Venom in the 2023 video game “Spider-Man 2.”
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