She recurred on Six Feet Under (2002−03) and has appeared in several soap operas, including Love of Life (1968−70) and Days of Our Lives (2012).

In her film debut, The Lost Man (1969), she appeared as beautician Sally, who uses the assumed name of Dorothy Starr.

Todd received an NAACP Image Award nomination for her performance in the critically acclaimed PBS production of Six Characters in Search of an Author (1976).

[19] Todd played the wife of Richard Pryor's character in Moving (1988),[20] which garnered her another NAACP Image Award nomination.

[1] In 2004, she appeared as Don Cheadle's character's drug addict mother in the critically acclaimed film, Crash.

[26] Todd also had supporting roles in the independent films The Lena Baker Story (2008) and I Will Follow (2011), playing Amanda, the deceased aunt of Salli Richardson's character.

[32] Todd also guest starred on House, The Closer and Grey's Anatomy, and, in 2012, had the recurring role in the NBC daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives as Celeste Perrault, the mother of Lexie Carver (Renée Jones).

[35] Their son, Malik Smith, died on March 20, 1989, at age 18 after being severely beaten at a teen youth center (no alcohol served or allowed) while on spring break in Utah.

[36][37] Smith's killer was found guilty of negligent homicide and received a one-year prison sentence,[38] only serving eight months.

[36] Demetria Fulton previewed Todd's appearance in Barnaby Jones; episode titled, "The Bounty Hunter"(12/16/1976).