Camden Toy, a recurring actor in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, has passed away at the age of 68 from pancreatic cancer.
Toy died at his home in California on the evening of December 11, and his death was reported by friends on Facebook (via SciFi.radio). His partner, Bethany Henderson, revealed that he had been fighting cancer for two years, having been diagnosed in February 2022. “For many reasons we were very hopeful for, at least, a longer and more fruitful time on planet Earth,” Henderson wrote on December 8. “Even the more recent challenges felt more like a hiccup in progress. Unfortunately, it looks like we’ve reached the end of the road with the doctor’s treatments. His condition has declined a lot in the last 2 months and tremendously in the last several days.”
Henderson acknowledged that Toy’s condition was unknown to the public, explaining that “He chose, for many reasons, not to announce his illness publicly, and so, unfortunately, this may be new and shocking news to many of his fans. We both apologize for this and please know that he has appreciated you all so much, as have I!”
Camden Toy’s impressive range of vampires and ghouls on the screen
Toy specialized in portraying monsters and demons in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, including some fan favorites such as Gnarl, the Ubervamp, and one of the Gentlemen in the Emmy-nominated episode “Hush.” He also appeared in the show’s spin-off Angel as a vampire known as the Prince of Lies.
True to the mixed-genre nature of the franchise, Toy’s roles often combined a spooky, otherworldly appearance with a comic twist. He was so often in heavy makeup that Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar reportedly said she had never seen his real face until the producers showed her a photo.
SuperHeroHype sends condolences to Toy’s friends and family at this time.
