Renowned British actor Tim Curry, famous for his eccentric portrayals such as the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” has passed away at the age of 80. His manager and close friend, Marcia Hurwitz, confirmed Curry’s death at his Los Angeles residence on Tuesday night. Although initially reported as Wednesday, the cause of death was not immediately disclosed. Curry, who suffered a stroke in 2012, had been using a wheelchair since then.
Curry rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead in the horror-comedy stage musical “The Rocky Horror Show” and later reprised his role for the 1975 film adaptation. Known for his portrayal of wicked and eccentric characters, he played Pennywise the clown in the 1990 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” and Rooster Hannigan in the 1982 movie “Annie.”
In addition to his distinctive humor and expressive facial expressions, Curry was also recognized for his voice work in various animated children’s productions like “The Rugrats Movie” (1998) and “The Wild Thornberrys Movie” (2002). He received three Tony nominations for his stage performances and an Emmy nomination for his role in the horror series “Tales from the Crypt” in 1994.
Describing Curry’s career as genre-defying, his PR manager, Sean Katz, highlighted his versatility and ability to seamlessly transition between different genres. Curry’s legacy lies in his inquisitive mind and compassionate nature, which continued to inspire his fans until his last moments.
Throughout his five-decade career, Curry demonstrated his versatility by taking on diverse roles ranging from comedy to drama. He played notable characters like the butler Wadsworth in “Clue” (1985) and the villainous Bill Sikes in the TV movie “Oliver Twist” (1982). His comedic roles included Mr. Hector in “Home Alone 2” (1992) and Long John Silver in “Muppet Treasure Island” (1996).
In response to Curry’s passing, tributes poured in from colleagues and admirers. Carol Burnett, his co-star in “Annie,” paid homage to him on Instagram, praising his talent and calling him a dear friend. Actor Rob Schneider expressed his sorrow on Twitter, highlighting Curry’s exceptional acting skills. The official Instagram page of “The Rocky Horror Show” also commemorated Curry, acknowledging his iconic portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter.