RIP Tony Todd

The news has sadly broken of the death of American actor Tony Todd, at the age of 69. Todd was best-known for his intense performances that led to a starring role in the Candyman horror franchise and multiple roles on Star Trek.

Todd was born in 1954 in Washington, DC and grew up in Hartford, Connecticut. He studied theatre at the University of Connecticut and the Eugene O'Neill Nation Actors Theatre Institute, whilst joining the Artists Collective, Inc. and the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island.

He made his screen debut in 1986, playing Sergeant Warren in the classic war movie Platoon. He made a career of memorable supporting terms on film and also on TV, where he played guest roles on 21 Jump Street, MacGyver, Night Court and Matlock.

In 1990 he was cast in his first memorable role in the Star Trek franchise. He appeared as Klingon Commander Kurn in the Season 3 Next Generation episode Sins of the Father, but in a major plot twist it was revealed that Kurn was actually Worf's brother, and sought his brother's help in restoring their family honour, triggering a multi-season story arc. He returned in the two-part episode Redemption before transferring to Deep Space Nine, in the Season 4 episode Sons of Mogh. He also played the role of Kurn in the video games Klingon Honour Guard and Star Trek Online.

Also for Deep Space Nine, he played the role of the adult Jake Sisko in the Season 4 episode The Visitor. Often cited as the single best episode of Deep Space Nine, Todd gained immense plaudits for his performance as a man haunted by the disappearance of his father and who dedicates his whole life to search for him. The episode was nominated for a Hugo Award in 1996.

In 1998 he completed the trifecta by playing the Alpha Hirogen in the Star Trek: Voyager episode Prey.

In 1992 he was cast in what came to be regarded as his signature role, as Daniel Robitaille aka The Candyman in the horror franchise of the same name, created by Clive Barker. Todd attracted critical praise for his performance in The Candyman (1992). He reprised the role in Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995) and Candyman 3: Day of the Dead (1999), though neither sequel was as well-regarded as the original.

In 2021 Jordan Peele co-wrote and produced a new film in the franchise, just called Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta. The film saw Todd reprise his role, despite early consideration of recasting the role due to Todd's age. Todd had kept in good shape in the intervening years and it was deemed his physical presence and distinct voice were integral to the character. The film received critical acclaim.

Todd also became a noted voice actor in video games, playing the Vortigaunts in Half-Life 2: Episode 2 and Half-Life: Alyx, as well as providing voices for Dota 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops II. He also played Venom in Spider-Man 2 and Locus in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which will now be a posthumous release.

Todd is survived by 2 children and his younger sister, actress Monique Dupree. A memorable performer with great screen presence, he will be missed.