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Tony Todd, the actor who became synonymous with the iconic horror character Candyman, has passed away at the age of 69.
Todd died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, according to reports. Known for his deep voice and chilling screen presence, Todd made his mark in horror cinema through his portrayal of the vengeful spirit, Candyman. The character, a tragic figure with a hook for a hand, was summoned by reciting his name five times in front of a mirror.
Todd first brought Candyman to life in the 1992 film *Candyman*, directed by Bernard Rose, which became a cult classic. His portrayal of the urban legend earned him widespread acclaim, and he returned to the role for two sequels: Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh* (1995) and *Candyman: Day of the Dead* (1999). After a long hiatus, Todd reprised the role in the 2021 *Candyman*, directed by Nia DaCosta, which served as both a spiritual sequel and a reimagining of the original film.
Todd’s portrayal of Candyman remains one of the most memorable in horror history, blending themes of social injustice and supernatural terror. His death marks the end of an era for horror fans, who remember him as one of the genre’s most unforgettable figures.
Over his 40-year career, Tony Todd appeared in a wide range of films, television shows, and stage productions, with notable roles in franchises like Transformers and Final Destination.
In *Candyman*, Todd portrayed the title character, the vengeful ghost of Daniel Robitaille, a 19th-century Black artist who was lynched. The 1992 film sees his character inadvertently summoned by a graduate student in Chicago researching the urban legend, triggering a wave of terrifying events.
Reflecting on his iconic role, Todd shared in a 2019 interview with *The Guardian* the harrowing experience of filming the scene where Candyman is swarmed by bees. During the shoot, he was stung 23 times and reportedly received a $1,000 bonus for each sting. "Everything that’s worth making has to involve some sort of pain," Todd remarked, acknowledging the physical toll of the scene.
Todd's performance as Candyman remains one of his most enduring legacies, blending supernatural horror with themes of racial injustice and societal trauma.
Reflecting on his iconic *Candyman* character, Tony Todd told *The Guardian* in a 2019 interview: "I’ve done 200 movies, but this is the one that stays in people’s minds. 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?"
Paying tribute to Todd, actress Virginia Madsen, who starred alongside him as the student Helen Lyle in *Candyman*, described him as "now an angel, as he was in life." She remembered him as a "truly poetic man" with a "deep knowledge of the arts."
"I will miss him so much and hope he haunts me once in a while," Madsen added with a smile. "But I will not summon him in the mirror!"
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