Camden Toy, versatile character actor best known for his various roles in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has passed away after a valiant two year battle with pancreatic cancer. He lost his battle with the disease last night at 10:30 pm on December 11, 2023, surrounded by family and attended by the love of his life, Bethany Henderson, in his home in Los Osos, near Morro Bay, California. He was 68.
Born May 31, 1955 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, Toy was best known for his many demonic roles of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel. Often taking on character roles that relied on heavy effects makeup, he appeared in the horror film All Souls Day: Dia de los Muertos (2005) as Dead Raoul. He appeared in fourteen episodes of the TV sitcom The Bay as Igor Chambers. His final film role will be as Dr. Nash in Archaic Redemption, which is finished, but so far unreleased.
Toy appeared in so many roles in make-up on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, that Sarah Michelle Gellar said that she had never seen his real face and the producers had to show her his photo. His many roles included ” one of the Gentlemen in the Emmy Award nominated episode “Hush”, the skin eating demon Gnarl, and the recurring role of the all powerful Ubervamp,” He played the Prince of Lies on Angel. In the superhero movie Now Hiring (2014), Toy played Lord Menace. In the horror movie Bedeviled (2016), the 5’9″ Toy portrayed Tall Clown.
Susie Honeybee Searight, a close friend of Toy and Henderson, released the news of his passing on Facebook early this morning. She relates that Camden Toy “was the king of stories! And a phenomenal memory!! One of the reasons he connected so deeply with his fans is because he thoroughly enjoyed them. He remembered them. He took time to listen to their stories. “
In addition to acting, Toy also worked as a film editor. He is listed as additional editor on Betaville (2001), Lightning Bug (2004), and USA: The Movie (2005). He edited four films, three of them shorts: Deeper Mark (2002), Zen Noir (2004), Irascible (2004), and Over Breakfast (2005).
Toy had two masters degrees. One of the degrees was in clinical psychology. He was a specialist in addition and recovery. Thirty plus years sober, he had a passion for helping others. The other degree was one he received just a month before his passing, which was a Master of Fine Arts degree in Screenwriting from Antioch University. His life partner, Bethany Henderson, is a painter and mixed media artist of considerable note.
We offer our deepest sympathy to Bethany Henderson and her friends and family in this time of loss. Camden Toy was a magnificent man and a great artist, and had the biggest heart in the world. He has left an indelible mark on the world, and we will feel his loss greatly.
Plans for memorial services and a celebration of his life are still pending. We will update this article with that information when it becomes available.
-30-
Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
