.jpg "HCPH-Riverside-0708-1870×125-Spa (1)")
British actor Tim Curry, whose unforgettable performances shaped film, theater and television, has died at 80. Curry died Tuesday night, Aug. 25, at his Los Angeles home, his longtime manager Marcia Hurwitz confirmed.
No cause of death was disclosed. Curry experienced a major stroke in 2012, which affected his mobility and required him to use a wheelchair.
Tim Curry Created an Enduring ‘Rocky Horror’ Role
Curry achieved international fame as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 musical film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. His charismatic performance helped transform the movie into a lasting cult phenomenon.
Curry first played Frank-N-Furter in the original London stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in 1973. He later brought the character to Broadway before starring in the film with Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf.
The movie became famous for its midnight screenings and audience participation. It also earned recognition for bringing LGBTQ+ characters and themes to mainstream audiences during the 1970s.
Luke Evans, who played Frank-N-Furter in a 2026 Broadway revival, remembered Curry as a powerful performer with distinctive charm and a rich voice.
Memorable Roles in ‘Clue,’ ‘It’ and Other Films
Curry built a varied career by playing eccentric villains, mysterious authority figures and animated characters. He portrayed the frantic butler Wadsworth in the 1985 comedy Clue.
In 1990, he delivered one of his most frightening performances as Pennywise in the television adaptation of Stephen King’s It. The role introduced Curry to a new generation of horror fans.
His other notable films included Annie, Legend, Congo and Muppet Treasure Island. He also played the suspicious Plaza Hotel concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
Carol Burnett, who worked with Curry in Annie, remembered him as a close friend and an exceptional performer of charming villains. Actor Kiefer Sutherland also honored Curry as a valued friend and colleague.
Acclaimed Work on Broadway and Television
Curry earned three Tony Award nominations during his stage career. The nominations recognized his performances in Amadeus, My Favorite Year and Monty Python’s Spamalot.
His television work brought another major audience. Curry received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1994 and appeared in programs including Roseanne and Will & Grace.
Curry also developed an extensive voice-acting career. He voiced Captain Hook in Peter Pan and the Pirates, earning a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991.
His other voice roles included characters in The Wild Thornberrys, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. He received a Grammy nomination for narrating the first A Series of Unfortunate Events audiobook.
Tim Curry Leaves a Wide-Ranging Legacy
Born April 19, 1946, in Cheshire, England, Curry studied drama and English at the University of Birmingham. His professional career eventually covered theater, movies, television, music and audio productions.
Curry returned to live-action film in the 2024 horror movie Stream. He also published his memoir, Vagabond, in 2025.
Curry never married and had no children. He remained private about his personal life, even as his work attracted generations of devoted fans.
His performances will continue through film screenings, stage revivals and animated programs. For many communities, especially Rocky Horror audiences, Tim Curry’s work created a lasting space for creativity, self-expression and belonging.