Hollywood Mourns Loss of 'Rocky Horror' Icon Tim Curry at 80
Tim Curry, the bombastic star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clue, and many other films, has died at 80. Known for his distinctive voice and villainous roles, Curry enjoyed a long and varied career on stage, screen, and as a voice actor.
Actor Tim Curry, a formidable and unforgettable presence in iconic films such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clue, and Muppet Treasure Island, has passed away at the age of 80. Born on April 19, 1946, in Cheshire, England, Curry was renowned for his distinctive voice and often typecast in villainous roles, leaving an indelible mark on screen.
Curry began his illustrious career on the London stage in the late 1960s. A pivotal moment occurred when he met Richard O'Brien during a production of Hair, which led to O'Brien casting him as the flamboyant mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter in his groundbreaking musical, The Rocky Horror Show. Curry reprised this iconic performance in the 1975 film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which catapulted him to international stardom.
Despite the immense fame brought by Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Curry often felt the role overshadowed the rest of his diverse career and preferred not to discuss it extensively. However, he acknowledged and appreciated the film's enduring legacy as a midnight movie phenomenon, recognizing its significant contribution to independent theaters over several decades.
Throughout his career, Curry remained a celebrated figure on stage, earning nominations for three Tony Awards and two Olivier Awards. His transition to Hollywood saw him take on a variety of memorable film roles, including the terrifying demonic Darkness in Ridley Scott's Legend, and the cunning butler Wadsworth in Jonathan Lynn's Clue. He became a regular in major motion pictures such as The Hunt for Red October, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Muppet Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, and Congo. A particularly chilling portrayal was that of the homicidal clown-like entity Pennywise in the 1990 TV movie adaptation of Stephen King's It.
Beyond his on-screen work, Curry's mellifluous voice made him a highly sought-after voice actor, particularly for villainous characters. His voice credits include animated films like FernGully: The Last Rainforest and Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, as well as a myriad of animated series such as Peter Pan and the Pirates (for which he won a Daytime Emmy), Mighty Max, The Wild Thornberrys, Young Justice, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Known for his private personal life, Curry was also a dedicated gardener. His performing career was significantly curtailed after he suffered a serious stroke in 2012. He penned his memoirs, titled Vagabond, in the year prior to his passing. Collider extends its deepest sympathies to Tim Curry's friends and family during this time.