Tony Todds 10 Best Movies & TV Shows

Tony Todd died on November 6, 2024, leaving behind a memorable and lauded career that spanned decades and culminated in over 240 acting credits to his name. These roles showcased Todd’s talent for embodying larger-than-life characters that captivated audiences. With his distinctive, commanding voice and looming, sinister expressions, he made a name for himself as one of the best horror actors out there. He became a leading figure in the genre, and he branched out to other categories as well.

Todd’s work on films such as Candyman and Night of the Living Dead demonstrated his unique ability to play morally ambiguous and haunting characters in some of the most famous horror films ever made. Meanwhile, Todd’s portrayals of characters in Platoon and The Man From Earth showcased his versatility. His legacy and memory will live on in the classic characters that he brought to life, and his best movies and shows will stay in the hearts and minds of fans for years to come.

10 Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (2009)

As The Fallen (Voice)

The much-anticipated second installment in the Transformers series, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, picks up two years after the first film, following Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen), Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), and the rest of the Autobots who form another alliance in their fierce battle against the Decepticons. Todd voices The Fallen, an ancient Prime who wishes to take revenge on the world by destroying the sun and killing the Earth and all life on it in the process.

Although Todd was known for his commanding physical presence, his voice work in this movie is just as powerful and significant as any role that puts him on-screen.

Although Todd was known for his commanding physical presence, his voice work in this movie is just as powerful and significant as any role that puts him on-screen. His performance added a layer of authenticity to The Fallen, making him an intimidating villain. It’s a more minor role, but Todd absolutely nailed it. He truly elevated the Transformers film, but his involvement was more memorable in other projects.

9 Star Trek (1993-2001)

As Various Roles

Todd played multiple roles in the Star Trek franchise, appearing in The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. Todd brought the Hirogen solider Alpha Hirogen to life in Star Trek: Voyager, and he also portrayed an older version of Jake Sisko and Klingon Kurn in the Star Trek universe. The latter was probably his most famous Star Trek role, but he excelled in all of them.

Even though his roles were limited to just a few episodes, Todd’s impact played out far longer than his screen time suggests. In particular, Kurn proved a memorable and intriguing character who probably deserved a richer and longer run in the series. This collection of roles showed how well Todd could slot into and elevate a franchise. He never felt out of place or outmatched, with Star Trek showcasing his range impressively. The brevity of his appearances is the main reason his Star Trek work doesn’t rank higher.

8 Platoon (1986)

As Sergeant Warren

Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War classic Platoon draws upon Stone’s own experiences as a U.S. infantryman and follows a new U.S. Army volunteer (Charlie Sheen) as he and his Platoon serve in the war. The film raises questions about the morality of war and the consequences of gruesome combat. It features an all-star ensemble cast that includes Todd as Sergeant Warren, a steady and mature character who adds a grounded quality to the overall narrative.

His realistic portrayal of a soldier who is emotionally anchored yet filled with palpable anxiety about the upcoming conflicts was expertly handled.

Platoon was among Todd’s most critically acclaimed films, receiving eight Academy Awards nominations and winning for Best Picture and Best Director. Unfortunately, his relatively minor role in the movie ranks this on the lower end of his projects. Todd’s role as Warren showed he had an incredible range that worked well outside his usual horror genre. His realistic portrayal of a soldier who is emotionally anchored yet filled with palpable anxiety about the upcoming conflicts was expertly handled. He definitely added a layer of complexity to this epic film.

7 Hatchet (2006)

As Reverend Zombie

One of the many slashers that defined Todd’s illustrious career, Adam Green’s Hatchet saw Todd stepping into the role of the eccentric Reverend Zombie. The story follows a group of eclectic tourists who go on a haunted swamp tour of the New Orleans Everglades and fall prey to a vengeful and paranormal man with a grotesque appearance. As the film progresses, they continue to get caught in his web, with Todd providing the eerie backdrop with his looming presence throughout the film.

Todd played the part like a seasoned comedy actor despite the film playing up its over-the-top gore and terror.

Although it wasn’t widely praised at the time of its release, Hatchet has gone on to become something of a cult classic. Todd played the part like a seasoned comedy actor despite the film playing up its over-the-top gore and terror. It was great to watch him add in rare moments of levity, and his captivating presence helped his character remain memorable. Hatchet isn’t Todd’s best-known or most interesting film, but it certainly deserves a spot among his best movies.

6 The Crow (1994)

As Grange

The Crow is a gothic superhero film based on James O’Barr’s iconic 1989 comic book series. It stars Brandon Lee as Eric Draven, a rock star who is resurrected by a crow who lands on his grave and plots revenge against the gang who raped his fiancée and murdered him by throwing him out of his apartment building. Todd portrayed the main villain’s enforcer, Grange, adding a dark and sinister undertone to an already harrowing story.

The Crow
was the last film Lee ever shot, as he was fatally wounded by a prop gun during filming. The tragedy happened towards the end of filming, so the rest of the film was able to be compiled and completed with any missing shots being performed by stunt doubles.

The Crow became known for being Brandon Lee’s final film, as the actor was tragically killed by a prop gun while on set. Todd also played a vital part in bringing the film to life, nailing his own role as the even-keeled but menacing right-hand man. He really came into his own, conveying his character’s emotions through expressions and glances. Todd added to the critical and commercial success of The Crow with his understated yet powerful performance. It didn’t compare to his bigger roles, but it still proved a testament to his acting.

5 Final Destination (2000)

As William Bludworth

James Wong’s Final Destination is a supernatural horror movie that spawned a franchise of successful and acclaimed sequels. The film follows a group of teenagers who cheat death by surviving a plane explosion after one of them has a premonition about it. Death then follows them to collect what is owed. Todd played one of his most iconic roles as William Bludworth, the local mortician who provides insight into Death’s unrelenting journey to capture the souls of the teenagers.

In a film full of chaotic scenes and brutal deaths, Todd’s role as the menacing yet calculated mortician stood out, highlighting how expertly played it was. Final Destination became one of his most celebrated projects, and it was great to see him reprise the role in future sequels. He provided an anchor that the rest of the calamities could spring off of. His chilling tone and performance made him the ideal person to give further context to Death. This supporting role was memorable enough to land in his top five, but there were a few more exciting projects he worked on.

4 The Rock (1996)

As Captain Darrow

Michael Bay’s The Rock is an action thriller that sees an ensemble cast featuring stars like Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, and Ed Harris taking center stage. It follows a team of ex-military and FBI operatives who must thwart a rogue group of Force Recon Marines who have taken hostages on Alcatraz Island. Todd played Captain Darrow, a Marine who abandons his duties and joins the rogue faction, helping his general commit criminal activities that could lead to deadly consequences.

In a slick thriller that boasts fast-paced and explosive action sequences, Todd captured something deeper, giving a performance that further cemented his cinematic legacy. His chemistry with Cage and Connery jumped off the screen, with each actor elevating the others’ work. This supporting role was only minor in title, as Todd’s character provides key scenes and plot points that help the film move forward. This lands The Rock among his greatest projects, but Todd’s role isn’t big enough to break into his top three.

3 Night Of The Living Dead (1990)

As Ben

The remake of George A. Romero’s classic Night of the Living Dead from 1968 tells the story of seven strangers who all find themselves held up in the same secluded farmhouse after a cannibalistic zombie outbreak. Todd took on the role of one of the main characters, Ben, providing entertainment as the group fends off zombies and forms a plan to survive their onslaught. The remake does a few things that are usually hard to achieve: it stays close to the source material without feeling derivative, it elevates aspects of the narrative in new ways, and it lives up to expectations.

Todd’s performance as the plucky and courageous Ben adds an emotional quality to the story, and his charisma and intelligence add a layer of realism and authenticity needed to help steer the film’s plot. Night of the Living Dead provided one of Todd’s breakout roles, proving he was capable of helping lead a bigger production with his well-rounded acting talents. As it’s among his most iconic projects, it earns its spot in his top-three movies. However, it’s not the most iconic or unique project he worked on.

2 The Man From Earth (2007)

As Dan

One of the more original and intriguing works in Todd’s filmography, The Man From Earth is a science-fiction drama directed by Richard Schenkman. It tells the unique story of John Oldman (David Lee Smith). Oldman is a retiring university professor who, at his retirement party with all his colleagues, reveals he is immortal. He has lived to be 14,000 years old and experienced many major world events, dating back to before recorded history. Todd played anthropologist Dan who, along with his colleagues, spends the film questioning and probing John about his claims.

The screenplay for
The Man from Earth
is writer Jerome Bixby’s final work, which he completed in April 1998.

Another break away from his mainstay of horror characters, Todd’s role as anthropology professor Dan is a masterclass in nuance and fully embracing a role. Todd added authenticity to an unbelievable situation that makes it feel like it could be grounded in reality, reacting and asking questions that would and should be asked. He added philosophical and intellectual insight to the questioning and rounded out the group with a mature and cultured attitude.

1 Candyman (1992)

As Daniel Robitaille / Candyman

Candyman was undoubtedly the most iconic role of Todd’s career, with him portraying the titular character in this supernatural horror. The film follows a Chicago graduate whose thesis is on urban legends and folklore, with her research leading her to the ghost of Daniel Robitaille. Robitaille was an African-American artist and the son of a slave who was murdered due to his relationship with a white woman. Having been killed in the most gruesome and cruel manner, his spirit returns as “the Candyman,” a figure who kills anyone who speaks his name five times in the mirror.

Without doubt, Candyman is Todd’s most popular and talked-about role. He portrayed an iconic character who has invaded popular culture as one of the most feared and recognizable horror villains ever created. Todd gave a truly haunting performance in what feels like a role he was destined to play. His voice, the dialogue, the backstory, and his other-worldly portrayal all culminated to immortalize Todd as one of the finest horror actors ever.