Died at 71
male
Tony Todd (December 4, 1954 – November 6, 2024) was an acclaimed American actor known for his deep, resonant voice and imposing screen presence. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Todd trained in theatre at the University of Connecticut and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, building a foundation for his later work both on stage and screen. Todd's film career began in the mid-1980s with supporting roles in films like "Platoon" (1986) and "Sleepwalk" (1986). He rose to prominence for his starring role as Ben in "Night of the Living Dead" (1990) before achieving iconic status as the title character in the horror classic "Candyman" (1992), a role he would reprise in several sequels. His film credits also include "The Crow" (1994), "The Rock" (1996), "Wishmaster" (1997), and his recurring role as William Bludworth in the "Final Destination" series (2000–2025). In television, Todd was widely recognized for his recurring roles across the Star Trek franchise—most notably as Kurn, Worf's brother, in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," as well as other roles in "Star Trek: Voyager." He also made memorable appearances on shows like "Boston Public," "24," "The X-Files," "Smallville," and "Law & Order". Beyond live-action roles, Todd was a prolific voice actor. He contributed to the Half-Life video game series as the Vortigaunts, voiced The Fallen in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009), Zoom in "The Flash" (2014–2023), and played Venom in "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" (2023), for which he earned a BAFTA Games Award nomination. Todd’s theatre credentials were equally impressive, including starring roles in Broadway and regional productions such as August Wilson's "King Hedley II," "The Captain's Tiger," "Othello," and "Aida." His voice, physical stature, and range earned him critical acclaim and a lasting legacy in horror, science fiction, and dramatic arts. Tony Todd died from stomach cancer at his home in Marina del Rey, California, on November 6, 2024, at the age of 69. He had reportedly been quietly battling this illness during his final projects. Both "Final Destination: Bloodlines" and "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" were dedicated to his memory.
"Mice and Men" is a story set during the Great Depression in California, focusing on George Milton, a migrant field worker with PTSD from World War I. He meets a group of characters at Tyler Ranch, including Candy, Bill Curley, and Anthony "Slim" Romero. George befriends Lenny Smalls, a mentally disabled black man with a dream of becoming an actor. However, tensions escalate when Bill's wife, Lisa, flirts with both George and Lenny, leading to tragedy. Lenny accidentally kills his puppy, leading to confusion and anger. Lisa's attempts to seduce Lenny trigger a fire in the barn, leading to George's death. In a desperate attempt to protect Lenny, George is shot by Bill, prompting Lenny to push Bill into the flames. As George dies, Lenny embraces him, reflecting on their shared dreams. Years later, Lenny returns from World War II, still haunted by his past, finding solace in memories of George and the enduring impact of their friendship.
