Tony Todd

Perhaps best known for his chilling performance as "Candyman", the charismatic 6' 5" actor 'Tony Todd' (qv) has consistently turned in compelling performances since his debut in the fantasy film _Sleepwalk (1986)_ (qv). Born in Washington, D.C., Todd spent two years on a scholarship at the University of Connecticut, which, in turn, led to a scholarship from the renowned 'Eugene O'Neill' (qv) National Theatre Institute. It proved to be the foundation for intense stints at the Hartman Conservatory in Stamford, Connecticut and the Trinity Square Repertory Theatre Conservatory in Providence, Rhode Island. Todd appeared in dozens of classical and many experimental plays, yet still managed to find time to teach playwriting to high school students in the Hartford public school system.Todd's extensive credits exemplify his versatility. They include such film classics as _The Rock (1996)_ (qv), _The Crow (1994)_ (qv), _Lean on Me (1989)_ (qv), _Bird (1988)_ (qv), _Night of the Living Dead (1990)_ (qv), _Final Destination (2000)_ (qv), the multiple Academy Award winning 'Oliver Stone' (qv) film _Platoon (1986)_ (qv) and _Das Geheimnis (2000)_ (qv), which was nominated and screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Todd's recent films include the independent film _Silence (2002)_ (qv) and _Final Destination 2 (2003)_ (qv). He has had prominent guest starring roles in numerous critically-acclaimed television series, including recurring on _Boston Public (2000)_ (qv), _For the People (2002)_ (qv) and _The District (2000)_ (qv), as well as _NYPD Blue (1993)_ (qv), _Smallville (2001)_ (qv), _Law & Order (1990)_ (qv), _Crossing Jordan (2001)_ (qv), _Homicide: Life on the Street (1993)_ (qv) and _The X-Files (1993)_ (qv). Todd recurred on three incarnations of "Star Trek" and guest starred on _Xena: Warrior Princess (1995)_ (qv) and episodes of _CSI: Miami (2002)_ (qv) and _Andromeda (2000)_ (qv). His television movies include starring roles in _True Women (1997)_ (qv), _Black Fox (1995)_ (qv), _Butter (1998)_ (qv), _Ivory Hunters (1990)_ (qv), _Babylon 5: A Call to Arms (1999)_ (qv) and _Control Factor (2003)_ (qv).Todd's considerable theatre credits include the world premiere of award-winning playwright 'August Wilson' (qv)'s "King Hedley II", where he originated the title role in Pittsburgh, Seattle and Boston. Variety commented: "Todd's King Hedley dominates the stage. A sour-faced mix of rage and resolve, anger and vulnerability. Todd's Hedley was a memorable tour-de-force even on opening." He also received a coveted Helen Hayes nomination for his performance in Athol Fugard's "The Captain's Tiger at La Jolla, the Manhattan Theatre Club and the Kennedy Center. Other theatre credits include "Les Blancs", "Playboy of the West Indies", "Othello", "Zooman and the Sign", award-winning playwright Keith Glover's "Dark Paradise", "Aida" (on Broadway), and most recently, "Levee James" for the prestigious 'Eugene O'Neill' (qv) Playwrights Conference and The New Dramatist Guild.::Linda Reitman