We all remember the African American tall man who terrorized and killed anyone who called his name “Candyman” five times. He would appear and come for you along with a swarm of bees. The actor who made this character famous with several sequels following was Tony Todd. He died Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the age of 69.
Many may know Todd from the “Candyman” films, or you might also remember him as the coroner in the “Final Destination” franchise and over 250 films. But what rose him to the top was being one of the horror genre’s most well-known villains when he starred in the 1992 “Candyman” and its sequels.
Born in Washington DC, in 1954, Todd had hundreds of television and movie credits to his name in a 40-year career. One of his first roles was the heroin-addicted Sergeant Warren in Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning war drama, “Platoon” he also appeared in 1996 “The Rock” opposite Nicolas Cage; he played funeral homeowner William Bludworth in the “Final Destination” franchise and Grange in 1994 “The Crow” with Brandon Lee.
On television, Todd appeared in many popular series, including playing multiple roles in “Star Trek,” most prominently as the Klingon Kurn, brother of Worf, in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Deep Space Nine.”
His unique voice can also be heard playing characters in the Call of Duty and Half-Life games, as well as Venom in the film “Spider-Man 2,” and the villain in “Transformers: Rise of the Fallen.”
True Fact: In 2019, Todd said he was paid $1,000 extra each time he was stung by a bee in one of the film’s most famous scenes. “And I got stung 23 times. Everything worth making has to involve some sort of pain,” Todd said. He reprised his role in Jordan Peele’s 2021 “Candyman” reboot.
Todd died at home in Los Angeles after a long illness.
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Hats off to Photographer Ron Allen!!! Ron has been shooting photos (throughout Philadelphia and beyond) of politicians, community leaders, entertainers, events, nd more. Well, the cameras are finally on him!
A well-known photographer, known for sharing what he sees through the camera lens for well over 50 years, has taken his photos and turned them into art pieces. Last month, City Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. hosted “Art into Income Event: Monetizing Your Artistic Talent,” and Ron’s artwork was brilliantly on display. The event allowed local artist to showcase their most creative pieces of artwork, followed by an economic workshop on the fundamentals of monetizing their work.
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