Like most people who had the opportunity to catch Final Destination: Bloodlines this past weekend, I shed a few tears as Mr. Bludworth (Tony Todd) walked off-screen. With a final, “Good luck,” he reminded us, “Life is precious.” As a fan of Tony Todd, this was a somber yet beautiful moment, serving as an opportunity for us to have one final goodbye with such a legendary giant in the industry. The directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein did something special for Bludworth’s lines in this particular scene. They asked Todd, “What would you like to tell the fans in this moment?” We are left with his iconic and deeply moving words that hit hard.
In The Beginning
Tony Todd’s first film role was in the movie Sleepwalk (1986), a fantasy drama directed by Sara Driver. Todd’s theatre background is evident from the second he walks into the frame. His presence is big, and you feel it even more when he speaks. He’s not on screen much, but if you want to see where it all started for him, you can watch this for free on YouTube. However, his 1990 role as Ben in Night of the Living Dead was Todd’s first big horror moment. Todd made Ben believable and relatable. He delivers a powerful performance while sitting alone on a chair, smoking a cigarette! We are watching a zombie film, yet his performance is artistic and full of so much emotional depth. You can’t help but feel the care that Todd put into the roles he played, and he had over 200 performances during his career.
Our Candyman
You can’t talk about Tony Todd and horror without mentioning his iconic role in Candyman (1992). While the actor had less than ten minutes of screentime in the final cut, Todd’s portrayal of The Candyman has impacted the horror genre across generations. You will never catch me saying “Candyman” in a mirror because of how effective his performance was. He made this horror villain come to life, which has only been done by a select few. There is no talking about Candyman without talking about Tony Todd.
While Candyman was his most legendary role, Todd gave so much more to the industry. Since his first film gig in 1986, he has put in some serious work over his career. From The Crow (1994) and Wishmaster (1997) to Hatchet (2006) and his multiple appearances as Mr. Bludworth in the Final Destination franchise and beyond. That is just within the horror genre. Tony Todd did it all between film, TV, and Broadway. He was even cast as Dracula in an audio adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Todd has left so much of himself behind for us to enjoy, and we are so grateful for it.
An Icon and a Legend
Tony Todd was a trailblazer. He helped pave the way for more Black actors, writers, directors, makeup artists, and more in the horror genre. He shared his experiences about the early years of his career. In the early years, he was usually the sole Black actor and often the only Black person on a film set. His dedication to film and his community was an integral part of the fabric that made him who he was.
In an interview with The Guardian, he spoke about these efforts and how he used his film work to change the narrative. “I’ve used it as an introductory tool in gang-intervention work: what frightens you? What horrible things have you experienced?” He worked with at-risk youth and held outreach seminars and programs over the years. His work off-screen spoke to the man Tony Todd was and the real legacy he leaves behind.
Tony Todd was bigger than Candyman. He was bigger than horror. He was a giant of a man with a giant heart. He loved film, and he loved people. I thank the directors and writers behind Final Destination: Bloodlines for allowing his fans to have one final goodbye. A moment to see one of our favorite horror icons in his final role treated with respect for his character and what the actor meant to the genre.
A Final Goodbye to Horror Legend Tony Todd
Like most people who had the opportunity to catch Final Destination: Bloodlines this past weekend, I shed a few tears as Mr. Bludworth (Tony Todd) walked off-screen. With a final, “Good luck,” he reminded us, “Life is precious.” As a fan of Tony Todd, this was a somber yet beautiful moment, serving as an opportunity for us to have one final goodbye with such a legendary giant in the industry. The directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein did something special for Bludworth’s lines in this particular scene. They asked Todd, “What would you like to tell the fans in this moment?” We are left with his iconic and deeply moving words that hit hard.
In The Beginning
Tony Todd’s first film role was in the movie Sleepwalk (1986), a fantasy drama directed by Sara Driver. Todd’s theatre background is evident from the second he walks into the frame. His presence is big, and you feel it even more when he speaks. He’s not on screen much, but if you want to see where it all started for him, you can watch this for free on YouTube. However, his 1990 role as Ben in Night of the Living Dead was Todd’s first big horror moment. Todd made Ben believable and relatable. He delivers a powerful performance while sitting alone on a chair, smoking a cigarette! We are watching a zombie film, yet his performance is artistic and full of so much emotional depth. You can’t help but feel the care that Todd put into the roles he played, and he had over 200 performances during his career.
Our Candyman
You can’t talk about Tony Todd and horror without mentioning his iconic role in Candyman (1992). While the actor had less than ten minutes of screentime in the final cut, Todd’s portrayal of The Candyman has impacted the horror genre across generations. You will never catch me saying “Candyman” in a mirror because of how effective his performance was. He made this horror villain come to life, which has only been done by a select few. There is no talking about Candyman without talking about Tony Todd.
While Candyman was his most legendary role, Todd gave so much more to the industry. Since his first film gig in 1986, he has put in some serious work over his career. From The Crow (1994) and Wishmaster (1997) to Hatchet (2006) and his multiple appearances as Mr. Bludworth in the Final Destination franchise and beyond. That is just within the horror genre. Tony Todd did it all between film, TV, and Broadway. He was even cast as Dracula in an audio adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Todd has left so much of himself behind for us to enjoy, and we are so grateful for it.
An Icon and a Legend
Tony Todd was a trailblazer. He helped pave the way for more Black actors, writers, directors, makeup artists, and more in the horror genre. He shared his experiences about the early years of his career. In the early years, he was usually the sole Black actor and often the only Black person on a film set. His dedication to film and his community was an integral part of the fabric that made him who he was.
In an interview with The Guardian, he spoke about these efforts and how he used his film work to change the narrative. “I’ve used it as an introductory tool in gang-intervention work: what frightens you? What horrible things have you experienced?” He worked with at-risk youth and held outreach seminars and programs over the years. His work off-screen spoke to the man Tony Todd was and the real legacy he leaves behind.
Tony Todd was bigger than Candyman. He was bigger than horror. He was a giant of a man with a giant heart. He loved film, and he loved people. I thank the directors and writers behind Final Destination: Bloodlines for allowing his fans to have one final goodbye. A moment to see one of our favorite horror icons in his final role treated with respect for his character and what the actor meant to the genre.
Kristie Felice
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