Camden Toy (May 31, 1955 – December 11, 2023) was an American actor, writer, film editor and psychotherapist. He was best known as a character actor, often under special effects prosthetic makeup. He had acted in over one hundred independent films, and several television roles. In later years, he returned to college to receive a Master of Arts in clinical psychology in order to provide counseling, focusing on people recovering from addiction. He also received a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing shortly before his death.[1]
Camden Toy | |
|---|---|
 Toy at the Big Apple Convention, October 17, 2009 | |
| Born | May 31, 1955 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | December 11, 2023 (aged 68) Los Osos, California, U.S. |
| Education |
|
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1984–2023 |
| Employer | Community Counseling Center of San Luis Obispo County |
| Television | Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Goodnight Burbank, The Bay (web series) |
Early life
editToy grew up in Pennsylvania, and his interest in the film industry was encouraged early on by his father, who worked as an actor and makeup artist.[2][3]
Career
editAfter spending many years in regional theater companies, Toy became one of the founding members and artistic director of the Obie Award-winning Todo Con Nada theatre in New York City.[4]
After moving to Los Angeles, he appeared as one of the demonic Gentlemen in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Hush", consistently listed as one of the best and scariest episodes of the series.[5][6] In fact, Toy won the role in the silent audition by creeping out series creator Joss Whedon so much with his improvisational miming that he declared, "I'm going to have nightmares now!"[7][8] In season seven, he played the skin-eating demon Gnarl in "Same Time, Same Place", and had a recurring role of the "ubervamp" Turok-Han.[2] Although Toy was on several episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he was always under such heavy prosthetics and makeup that star Sarah Michelle Gellar had to be shown a photograph of him to recognize him out of character.[9] He also played the Nosferatu-like vampire "The Prince of Lies" on the Angel episode "Why We Fight".[2]
Toy was a series regular on the television sitcom Goodnight Burbank and in the first four seasons of the Emmy Award-winning series The Bay. He appeared in an episode of Into the Dark on Hulu and starred in movies Average Joe (2021) and Boogey-Man (2021).
Fan conventions
editToy was a regular guest at many comic and pop culture conventions and often shared panels and photo-ops with other Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel alumni. His fun-loving, personable and caring nature made him a fan favorite.[9][10]
Death
editAfter a two-year private battle, Camden Toy died from pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Osos, California, on December 11, 2023.[11][9][12]
Tributes
editBuffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar posted an image of Camden as a Gentlemen with the caption "It was an honor #CamdenToy" on her Instagram account.[13]
Doug Jones, fellow Gentlemen and Guillermo del Toro muse[14] said:
"To know Camden Toy is to love Camden Toy. We may have met on the set of Buffy as two hideous looking "Gentlemen," but that only sparked a dear friendship that would continue for twenty-four years. It's rare to find a man so joyful, smiley, smart, giggly, huggie, good at listening with his heart, and accessible always to anyone he knew, including his many fans. May he rest in God's peace."[1]
Juliet Landau, who portrayed "Drusilla" on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel:
"Camden was a beautiful soul, a beautiful friend, and a beautiful talent. From the first moment we met, I knew he was special. Under the visage of the monster he was made up to be, shined the kindest of spirits. He's been a gift in our lives. We will miss him greatly."[1]
Gregori J. Martin, producer of The Bay:
"Camden was always such a talent and joy to work with. It's no wonder he was such a fan favorite on The Bay. I am so grateful for the times I got to work with him and will certainly cherish those memories."[1]
Mark A. Altman, TV/Film writer/producer/author tweeted: "A GENTLEMAN & A SCHOLAR: Immensely saddened to hear about the passing of CAMDEN TOY. He was such a warm man who worked on several of my films and also was so sweet to my #Buffy loving family. He will be missed. If you can, please make a donation to @PanCA today in his memory!"[15]
James C. Leary, who portrayed demon Clem on Buffy tweeted: The world lost a delightfully maniacal, abundantly kind, and overwhelmingly generous soul last night. I had the pleasure and privilege to travel the world, tread the boards, and sail the seas with @Camden_Toy and I shall cherish every moment. Rest easy.[16]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Genius | Patient | |
| 1997 | Faith | Mailman | |
| 2001 | Backgammon | TV Announcer | |
| 2005 | All Souls Day | Fresh Dead / Dead Raoul | |
| The Works | Janitor | ||
| 2006 | The Videos 1989–2004 | King Nothing | Metallica video album |
| Outta Sync | Dogsbody | ||
| 2007 | Morning Glory | Lucky | |
| 2008 | Trickery Mimicry | Farmer | |
| 2009 | Immortally Yours | Henry | |
| Klikt | Man / Clown | ||
| 2010 | Carnies | Panusch | |
| Bare Knuckles | Manager | ||
| 2011 | ChromeSkull: Laid to Rest 2 | Dr. Kerr | |
| Hard Love | Ralph | ||
| Sebastian | Homeless Man | ||
| 2012 | Big Bad Bugs | Sydney Gerber | |
| 2013 | Dark Splinter | Donovan Braeden | |
| Feed Me | Albert | ||
| 2014 | Now Hiring | Lord Menace | |
| Disciples | The Watcher | ||
| 2015 | A Blood Story | Francis / Ferenc Nadasdy | |
| 2016 | Bedeviled | Tall Clown | |
| 2021 | Boogey-Man | The Shape | |
| Average Joe | Lord Menace |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2003 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Various roles | 6 episodes |
| 2004 | Angel | Prince of Lies | Episode: "Why We Fight" |
| 2008 | The Mentalist | Gambler | Episode: "Red-Handed" |
| 2008–2009 | The Insider's Guide to Film School | Professor Strauss | 4 episodes |
| 2010–2014 | The Bay | Igor Chambers | 14 episodes |
| 2011 | Goodnight Burbank | Yan Bobek | 6 episodes |
| 2016 | Shameless | Pan | Episode: "A Yurt of One's Own" |
| 2017 | Monster School Animation | Security Officer Toy | Episode: "Welcome to Monster School" |
| 2019 | Into the Dark | The Prankster | Episode: "Uncanny Annie" |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Services, Matts Marketing. "Obituary: Camden Toy Buffy the Vampire Star". PRLog. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ a b c Eggen, Michele (2015-07-27). "Exclusive Interview with Camden Toy: A Buffy Retrospective - Wicked Horror". Wicked Horror. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- ^ Rahman, Abid (2023-12-14). "Camden Toy, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Star, Dies at 68". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Camden Toy Interview". 2007-08-14. Archived from the original on 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- ^ Pallotta, Frank. "Geek God Joss Whedon Faced An Epic Challenge In This Nearly Silent 'Buffy' Episode". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ Armstong, Jennifer (2017-03-10). "10 Best 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Episodes of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Camden Toy Looks Back on Buffy [Exclusive]". Wicked Horror. 2015-07-28. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: Actor Camden Toy chats about Joss Whedon's classic series – Exclusive Interview – Part 1 - Assignment X". 2017-05-12. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ a b c SCIFI.radio (2023-12-12). "Camden Toy Succumbs to Pancreatic Cancer". SCIFI.radio. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: Actor Camden Toy Pt. 2 – exclusive interview - Assignment X". 2017-06-23. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ Jacobs, Mira (2023-12-13). "Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel Actor Camden Toy Passes Away". Comic Book Movies and Superhero Movie News - SuperHeroHype. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ "Camden Toy, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Actor, Dies at 68: 'A Beautiful Soul, a Beautiful Friend, and a Beautiful Talent'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ Steiner, Chelsea (2023-12-14). "'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Actor Camden Toy Dead at 68". The Mary Sue. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "The Man Behind Your Favorite Movie Monsters: Meet The Shape of Water's Doug Jones". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
- ^ "Mark A. Altman * on X". twitter.com. 2023-12-14.
- ^ "This Post is from an account that no longer exists". twitter.com.[permanent dead link]
External links
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