Who are Tony Todd’s family members?

Tony Todd was an American actor born on December 4, 1954, in Washington, D.C. He grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, and studied acting at the University of Connecticut. He later joined Eugene O'Neill National Actors Theatre Institute and the Trinity Repertory Company. Todd worked in Hollywood for over 40 years and worked on many films and TV shows. He made his debut with the film Sleepwalk in 1986. He gained popularity for his role in the film Candyman (1992). His other known works include Final Destination (2000–2025), Platoon (1986), The Rock (1996), and Frankenstein (2015).

He also gave his voice to many video games and animated shows, showing his range as an actor. His voice acting work includes Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), The Flash (2014-2023), and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (2024). He also got nominated for the Critics' Choice Awards and British Academy Games Awards for his performances. Todd passed away on November 6, 2024, at the age of 69, after a long illness. In his career, he has been particularly private about his personal life, especially his family. Let’s take a look at Tony Todd’s family members.

Tony Todd's wife and children

Tony Todd was married to Fatima Cortez. The couple had 2 children- a son named Alexander and a daughter named Ariana. According to The Hollywood Reporter, his wife, Fatima, was the one who confirmed his passing in November 2024, stating that he died at their home in Marina del Rey, California, after a long-term illness.

According to TMZ, Fatima was reportedly upset about the Oscars not including Tony in the In Memoriam segment. Fatima believes that people of color and women are often overlooked when it comes to the Academy honoring those who have passed. She also pointed out that Tony had been a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for 30 years, making the situation even more confusing and disappointing for her.

Tony rarely shared glimpses of his family life on social media. He shared a post on Instagram in January 2022 announcing his daughter's engagement to her partner, Shawn.

Tony also spoke openly about his son's struggles with bipolar disorder. In a June 2020 Instagram post, he wrote, “Day after Father's Day got a call from USC medical saying my beautiful son Alex was admitted. He's suffered from bipolar disorder for years. What kind of system is it where parental power is lost once a child turns 21. They have to decide. They have to be willing to ask for help. Stay on medication. I LOVE Alex so much. My heart hurts. Couldn't even visit him because of COVID protocols. Offered full range of services but decided on the freedom of the streets."

Tony Todd's aunt

Tony Todd was raised by his aunt. At the age of 3, he moved from Washington, D.C., to Hartford, Connecticut, to live with his aunt, Clara Elliston, as his mother was facing personal challenges at the time. Clara played an important role in shaping Tony's early life and career. She introduced him to classic films, watching different films together each night, which helped him develop an interest in storytelling and performance. Additionally, she enrolled him in many summer programs, including public speaking and the Boy Scouts.

Tony was often seen thanking his aunt for her support and guidance. In a 2010 interview with StarTrek.com, he said, "The story behind my doing it is that the woman who raised me, my aunt, was a single woman, and she'd passed away at the beautiful age of 82. I'd just finished Candyman 2 and it devastated me because she was a person I talked to every day. Fortunately, she was able to see some of the beginnings of my success.”

He added, “But I was in a state of shock and I wasn't able to work for four months. They sent me the script for 'The Visitor.' It wasn’t a complete offer, but they sent it for my consideration and wanted me to come in and see them. So it was the role that got me up off the bed, out of the house, and into the producers' office. When I went in, I saw a lot of actors who I felt were of the age and who were people I respected. But I went in and I got it. So that was sort of my homage to the parental figure in my life that I loved and cherished."