**Tony Todd, Iconic 'Candyman' Actor, Dies at 69**
Tony Todd, the actor famed for his portrayal of the titular character in the *Candyman* horror film series, has passed away at the age of 69.
Todd died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, according to reports.
He became a household name for his portrayal of the terrifying Candyman, a vengeful ghost with a hook for a hand who is summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror. Todd first brought the character to life in the 1992 film and continued in the role for sequels in 1995 and 1999. He reprised his iconic role in 2021 for a direct sequel to the original film.
Tony Todd, who had a prolific career spanning over four decades, also appeared in numerous films, stage productions, and television dramas. Notably, he featured in the *Transformers* and *Final Destination* franchises, among other projects.
In *Candyman*, Todd portrayed the titular character, the ghost of artist Daniel Robitaille, a Black man lynched in the 19th century. The 1992 film follows a graduate student in Chicago who, while researching the urban legend of Candyman, inadvertently summons him into the real world, setting off a series of deadly events.
In a 2019 interview with *The Guardian*, Todd reminisced about the iconic scene in which Candyman is swarmed by bees. Todd was stung 23 times during the shoot, reportedly earning a $1,000 bonus for each sting. Reflecting on the experience, he remarked, "Everything that’s worth making has to involve some sort of pain."
In the same *Guardian* interview, Tony Todd reflected on his portrayal of Candyman, saying, "I’ve done 200 movies, 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?"
Actor Virginia Madsen, who played student Helen Lyle in *Candyman*, paid tribute to Todd, calling him "an angel now, as he was in life." She described him as a "truly poetic man" with "a deep knowledge of the arts," and expressed how much she would miss him. "I hope he haunts me once in a while," she added, "But I will not summon him in the mirror!"
The sequel to the original *Candyman* film, *Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh*, released in 1995, saw Tony Todd reprise his iconic role, this time set in New Orleans where his character encounters a descendant of his daughter. The third installment, *Candyman: Day of the Dead*, came out in 1999, though it took place in 2020 Los Angeles. Todd returned in the 2021 *Candyman* film, alongside others from the original, for a direct sequel.
Reflecting on the 2021 film, Todd praised its director, Nia DaCosta, calling the film "brilliant" and recognizing her passion for body horror. He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with *Candyman* co-writer Jordan Peele, who gave him and Virginia Madsen a chance to "live again as lovers" in their roles.
Before *Candyman*, one of Todd's early film roles was as Sgt. Warren in Oliver Stone's *Platoon* (1986), a pivotal part of his lengthy and varied acting career.