Tim Curry, star of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ dies at 80
Tim Curry, the British actor whose deep baritone and flamboyant performances made him a cult favourite, has died at the age of 80. His manager confirmed his death on Wednesday (August 26), saying he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Tuesday (August 25). No cause of death was immediately disclosed, though Curry had been in poor health for several years.
Curry rose to international fame with his film debut as Dr Frank N Furter in the 1975 cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", a role that established him as a distinctive and fearless screen presence. His performance as the singing, lingerie-clad "sweet transvestite" became one of the film's defining elements and helped turn the movie into a cultural phenomenon.
He later became widely recognised for playing Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King's "It". With his sinister grin, eerie mannerisms and menacing laugh, Curry's portrayal of the shape-shifting killer clown became one of the most enduring interpretations of the horror character and continues to be remembered by fans.
In a 1975 television interview, Curry acknowledged that taking on such an unconventional role could have been a career risk. However, he said he believed a part was not worth taking unless it involved some degree of risk.
Curry also appeared in a wide range of films, frequently playing exaggerated villains with a comic edge. His credits included "Clue", "Legend", "The Three Musketeers", "The Shadow", "Muppet Treasure Island", "Charlie's Angels" and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York".
In "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York", Curry played the concierge at the Plaza Hotel, where Kevin McCallister stays after accidentally travelling to New York. His character initially treats Kevin with suspicion and attempts to uncover how the young boy has managed to check into the luxurious hotel alone, leading to several of the film's memorable comic moments.
While Curry became particularly associated with villainous roles on screen, he also enjoyed a distinguished stage career. He earned three Tony Award nominations, including for his performances as Mozart in "Amadeus", in "My Favorite Year" and as King Arthur in "Monty Python's Spamalot".
His rich baritone also made him a sought-after voice actor. Curry lent his voice to numerous animated films and television programmes and won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991 for his work on "Peter Pan & the Pirates".
Despite appearing in several acclaimed productions, Curry was also known for poking fun at some of his less successful projects. Reflecting on the 1995 film "Congo", he once admitted that his performance had been poor and joked that he deserved the Razzie Award he received.
Born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, Curry studied drama at Birmingham University. In 1973, he originated the role of Dr Frank N Furter in the London stage production of "The Rocky Horror Show". He later performed the production in New York and Los Angeles before it was adapted into the film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show".
Although the film was not an immediate box-office success, midnight screenings helped it develop a devoted cult following. Fans famously began attending screenings dressed as the film's characters, cementing its status as one of cinema's most enduring cult classics.
Curry stepped away from a British stage production in 2011 due to ill health. His agent later confirmed that he had suffered a stroke in 2013, though he was said to be recovering in good spirits. He subsequently used a wheelchair and took on fewer projects.
He made a return to the big screen in 2024 with the horror film "Stream". Beyond acting, Curry was also a singer and composer who performed with his own rock band and released several albums.
Curry lived in Los Angeles. He never married and had no children.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments