In some truly sad news for fans of horror, Tony Todd—the legend who made us all nervously avoid mirrors and squint at bees with a lot more respect—has left this mortal plane. The actor, famous for his iconic role as Candyman (yes, that guy in the mirror), along with a host of spine-tingling roles in the Final Destination franchise, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the age of 69.
Todd’s longtime rep, clearly feeling all the feels, shared a statement with Fox News: “Regretfully, I can confirm that my friend and client of over 30 years, Tony Todd, has passed away on Wednesday, November 6, peacefully at his home in Marina Del Rey. I am lucky to have been able to work with this amazing man, and I will miss him every single day.” You know it’s heartfelt when a Hollywood rep is at a loss for words.
While Todd’s horror resume might lead one to think he was always lurking in dark alleys with a menacing glare, he actually had quite a range! This guy popped up everywhere from Star Trek: The Next Generation (yes, he did space!) to The Young and the Restless (even soap operas need a dose of horror now and then) to 24, where he probably scared even Jack Bauer.
Tony Todd is survived by his children, Alex and Ariana, who will no doubt carry the torch of coolness on behalf of their terrifyingly talented dad.
So, to Tony Todd: you’ve given us countless reasons to double-check mirrors, side-eye bees, and remember that horror movies are just as much about heart as they are about horror. Rest in peace, and may you haunt the afterlife with as much style as you haunted Hollywood.