Top Ten Tuesday: Tony Todd

Horror fans may have mixed feelings about the ongoing Final Destination franchise, but with FINAL DESTINATION 5 fated to make it’s stand in theaters on Friday, August 12th, one thing we can count on is a roller coaster of death-defying thrills. Actor Tony Todd also returns as the mysterious Mr. William Bludworth, a mortician with an unusual knowledge of death and the rules of the fabled Grim Reaper. In honor of the talented character actor, I present my Top Ten list of favorite Tony Todd roles.

10. THE ROCK (1996)

“I’m not a soldier, Major. The day we took hostages, we became mercenaries. And mercenaries get paid. I want my fucking money!”

In Michael Bay’s entertaining action-thriller, Tony Todd plays Captain Darrow, a military officer now loyal to Brigadier General Francis Hummel (Ed Harris) who seizes Alcatraz and holds tourists hostage as he plans a homegrown terrorist plot for the sake of his fellow fallen soldiers. Captain Darrow and Major Tom Baxter (David Morse) are devoted to Hummel’s cause, even once he begins to show signs of remorse, but for different reasons. Todd gives Darrow a calm, cool confidence that contrasts Morse’s more traditional, rigid military persona.

09. FINAL DESTINATION (2000) / FINAL DESTINATION 2 (2003)

“In death there are no accidents, no coincidences, no mishaps, and no escapes.”

Mr. William Bludworth is a mysterious man, a mortician with an uncanny knowledge of Death and the rules of fate. This is something the “spared” victims of a devastating plane crash discover as Death creatively picks them off, one by one. Tony Todd plays Bludworth with an ambiguous creepiness. Tony Todd returned in FINAL DESTINATION 2, but was limited to portraying the voice of the “Devil” in FINAL DESTINATION 3.

08. HATCHET (2006) / HATCHET II (2010)

“I had a tour group, out in the swamp, last Halloween. It was the mist of night, and there was this kid, who looked kind of like you, he was spooked by something in the marsh. He saw two eyes staring at him from the woods, it chilled him to his very marrow. He wanted to get off the boat in a hurry, and he had his foot dangling over the edge.”

Tony Todd had merely a single scene in HATCHET as Reverend Zombie, an eccentric voodoo character sought upon by the vacationing youngsters for a haunted swamp tour. Unfortunately, Zombie’s little business was shut down due to insurance costs. Fortunately, Reverend Zombie returns with a bigger role in HATCHET 2.

07. PLATOON (1986)

Oliver Stone’s PLATOON marks one of Tony Todd’s first two feature films (both in 1986) and his first big break, appearing alongside a tremendous cast of young, yet to be acknowledged stars including Johnny Depp, Forest Whitaker, and Kevin Dillon. PLATOON also put Todd in the presence of veterans Tom Berenger, Kieth David, and Willem Dafoe. Todd plays Sergeant Warren, the Bravo squad leader, wounded in battle during the “church ambush” scene.

06. BIRD (1988)

Tony Todd plays Frog, a musician and friend to Charlie Parker in Clint Eastwood’s biopic. Todd based his performance on Coleman Hawkins, a real-life friend to Parker, who was played by Forest Whitaker in BIRD. Todd loves music, and went through saxophone training for the film, despite not being a musician. Todd appeared in two scenes, but any screen time in such a significant film from such a great filmmaker is a testament to one’s talent.

05. HEART OF THE BEHOLDER (2005)

Writer/director Ken Tipton’s indie film HEART OF THE BEHOLDER is an under-appreciated drama-thriller shot in my hometown, based on a true story about a family that opens the first video cassette rental stores in St. Louis in 1980. The story is wrought with controversy, included but not limited to the fundamental “VHS versus BETA” question. While Tony Todd performance as the iconic Chuck Berry is only a cameo, his few minutes on screen is not just enjoyable, but also adds a quality touch to a scene thick with racial tension.

04. THE MAN FROM EARTH (2007)

“There’s absolutely no way in the whole world for John to prove his story. Just like there’s no way for us to disprove it. No matter how outrageous we think it is, no matter how highly trained some of us think we are, there’s absolutely no way to disprove it! My friend is either a caveman, a liar, or a nut. So while we’re thinking about that, why don’t we just go with it.”

Jerome Bixby had a long and fruitful career in science-fiction writing and with Star Trek, which probably had some influence over Tony Todd in his decision to take the role of Dan, a college professor and friend to the mysterious John Oldman. This dialogue-driven film is a heavily philosophical but enjoyable experience, a smart but accessible inquiry into the nature of faith and knowledge. Todd is wonderful as the level-headed and open-minded voice of reason amidst Oldman’s friends, as the group come to terms with the shocking revelation laid at their feet by the enigmatic John Oldman.

03. THE CROW (1994)

“So, kill the crow… and destroy the man.”

Alex Proyas brought James O’Barr’s fascinating graphic novel to life in THE CROW, having the incredibly bittersweet experience of directing Brandon lee in his final film. The perfectly cast film packs a gritty atmosphere, enhanced by gritty performances. Amongst these is Tony Todd’s performance as Grange, a cold and calculating, well-dressed and intelligent right-hand man to Michael Wincott’s frighteningly psychotic crime boss Top Dollar. Todd enjoys a pivotal moment in the film, which spells the unfortunate end to Eric Draven’s vengeful spree of criminal cleansing.

02. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1990)

“This is something no one’s ever heard about, and no one’s ever seen before. This is hell on earth.”

In my opinion, Tony Todd was sort of a given choice for the role of Ben in Tom Savini’s remake of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. His first starring role, Todd gives a commanding performance as the African-American man who helped define horror as social commentary in George A. Romero’s 1968 original. Shot in color and with the added detail of Savini’s special effects skill, NOTLD ’90 is an enjoyable film that brought a classic story to a new generation of genre fans.

01. CANDYMAN (1992)

“They will say that I have shed innocent blood. What’s blood for, if not for shedding?”

Based on Clive Barker’s short story The Forbidden, director Bernard Rose’s CANDYMAN was the film that truly made Tony Todd a household name. Todd portrays Daniel Robitaille, a slave who is brutally murdered for having a relationship with a white woman. As a result of his agonizing death, Robitaille evolves into the supernatural spirit of vengeance known in legend as “The Candyman” by those who would use his story as a cautionary tale. As the story goes, if his name is spoken five time into a mirror, he will appear. This is something Virginia Madsen learns the hard way, starring as the woman who would become The Candyman’s horrifying love obsession. Todd clearly delved deep into this role, a rich character that became a genre icon, steeped with texture and an essence of classical folk lore.