Tim Curry, Star of ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘IT’, Dies at 80

By Ihuoma Inyama

British actor Tim Curry, best known for his iconic roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and IT, has died at the age of 80.

Curry died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, according to his manager. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed, although the actor had reportedly been in poor health for some time.

The actor rose to international fame playing Dr. Frank N. Furter in the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The role, which saw Curry portray the flamboyant scientist in the musical horror-comedy, became the defining performance of his career and earned him a devoted following.

Curry had initially been concerned that the unusual role could overshadow his career. However, he later embraced the risk, and the film went on to become a cult phenomenon, particularly through midnight screenings where fans regularly dressed as its characters.

Beyond Rocky Horror, Curry built a diverse career across film, television and theatre. He became known for portraying eccentric and menacing villains, including his role as Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s IT.

His other film credits included Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Clue, Annie, Legend, The Three Musketeers, The Shadow, Muppet Treasure Island, Addams family reunion and Charlie’s Angels.

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Curry was also an accomplished stage performer, earning three Tony Award nominations for his Broadway work. His nominations included performances in Amadeus, My Favorite Year and Monty Python’s Spamalot.

His distinctive baritone voice also made him a sought-after voice actor. He won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991 for his voice performance in the animated series Peter Pan & the Pirates and lent his voice to numerous other animated productions.

Curry’s career was affected by health problems later in life. He suffered a stroke in 2012, after which he used a wheelchair and significantly reduced his professional workload. Despite this, he continued making appearances and returned to the big screen in 2024 with the horror film Stream.

Born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, Curry studied drama at Birmingham University before beginning his professional acting career. He first played Dr. Frank N. Furter in the original London stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in 1973, two years before reprising the role for the film.

Curry never married and had no children. He also worked as a singer and composer, performing with his own rock band and releasing several albums.

With a career spanning stage, film, television and music, Curry leaves behind a legacy defined by fearless performances, a distinctive voice and characters that became part of popular culture.