Long overdue.  My close friends know my appreciation for Tony Todd.  I’ve been a fan of his work since I was in fifth grade and just mesmerized by his performance and overall presence in Tom Savini’s remake of George Romero’s classic zombie flick NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.  My mother signed me out of school in fifth grade to take me to the first showing (true story).  I was just in awe of the film;  and for some reason–the young, tall actor who whipped ass using his 6’5″ frame and mighty brain to save the day versus those pesky flesh eating zombies.  He had a heroic and noble presence–a true grace that really registered with me.

Some things just stick with you–and we have no real way of explaining the “why” of it all…but such is life.  A few years later Todd would complete a role so defining that even today–it is his most well known work (despite bringing it in COUNTLESS other film and stage plays over the years) called THE CANDYMAN.  Sometimes an actor just nails something that registers with a global audience in such a way that they are forever blessed/cursed with the identification factor (typecast). Candyman made him an international icon of the horror genre.

In any case–let me cut to the chase.  Tony and I became friends by pure luck (fate?)–and just recently I had the opportunity to photograph his recent work (the best of his amazing career?) on the film SUSHI GIRL (which he also executive produced).  Now–at first it was a bit distracting to watch him perform live–his presence and performance are SO intense–that I often found my brain absolutely plucked from my being and thrust into a fantasy world Tony clearly controlled.  He is an amazing talent…..to say the very least.

Life is strange.  Sometimes the old saying (Never meet your heroes) is absolute truth.  9/10 times you WILL be disappointed.  But in some cases…you are rewarded with an experience that may change your life.  I know I was.

“You never know” (as my dear grandmother Caroline Fulton R.I.P. quoted)…….life takes you on various journeys for reasons unknown.  Sit back, enjoy the ride–and live without questioning.

Because in the end……you really “NEVER KNOW…………..”

KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR *MY* TONY TODD AND SUSHI GIRL PORTRAITS COMING SOON……….YOU REALLY DON’T WANT TO MISS THESE…………………