Tony Todd Was Snubbed By The Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ Segment

Each year the Academy Awards take a moment to remember industry legends who have passed in the previous year. Last night, the 97th Academy Awards ceremony honored deceased stars like Donald Sutherland, Shelley Duvall, James Earl Jones and director David Lynch. Actor Gene Hackman, whose death was just discovered on February 26th, was also included in the memorial.

A glaring omission for horror fans was the inclusion of Tony Todd, most well-known for his portrayal of the frightening title character in Candyman (1992). He passed in November 2024 from cancer. He was 69.

Todd’s acting career spans five decades. In addition to Candyman, he played the role of William Bludworth (possibly an anthropomorphization of Death) in the Final Destination film series and Ben in Night of the Living Dead (1990). Other horror films Todd appeared in include Voodoo Dawn (1990), Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995), Wishmaster (1997), Candyman 3: Day of the Dead (1999), Scarecrow Slayer (2003), and Hatchet (2006) among many others.

Horror fans also noted that the Oscars In Memoriam also omitted actress Olivia Hussey, known for her role as final girl Jess Bradford  in Black Christmas (1974).