Tim Curry, Beloved Star of ‘Rocky Horror’ and ‘It,’ Dies at 80
Tim Curry, Beloved Star of ‘Rocky Horror’ and ‘It,’ Dies at 80
LOS ANGELES — Tim Curry, the acclaimed British actor whose unforgettable performances made him a fixture of film, television and theater for generations, has died at the age of 80.
Curry died peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Aug. 25, according to his manager. A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
A Career Defined by Iconic Characters
Curry became an international star after portraying Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a role he had first performed onstage.
The movie went on to become one of cinema’s most enduring cult films, with Curry’s flamboyant performance at its center.
But his career extended far beyond Rocky Horror.
He played the sinister Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It, terrified audiences as Darkness in Legend, and appeared as Wadsworth in Clue. He also starred in Annie, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Muppet Treasure Island.
A Star of Stage as Well as Screen
Curry was also an accomplished theater performer.
He received three Tony Award nominations, including recognition for his performances in Amadeus, My Favorite Year and Spamalot. He also received Laurence Olivier Award nominations for his stage work.
His talents extended to voice acting and music as well. Curry won a Daytime Emmy for voicing Captain Hook in Peter Pan & the Pirates and released three studio albums during his career.
He Continued Working After His Stroke
Curry suffered a serious stroke in 2012, leaving him with significant mobility problems. Despite the setback, he continued appearing at conventions, special screenings and in selected acting projects.
In 2025, Curry appeared at events marking the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where he reunited with longtime fans and members of the film’s cast. He also published his memoir, Vagabond.
His final on-screen appearance was a cameo in the 2024 horror film Stream.
An Unforgettable Legacy
Curry’s ability to move effortlessly between comedy, horror, drama, theater and animation made him one of the entertainment industry’s most distinctive performers.
For many fans, however, he will always be remembered as the magnetic Dr. Frank-N-Furter — a performance that helped turn The Rocky Horror Picture Show into a cultural phenomenon that continues to attract audiences decades later.
Tim Curry leaves behind a career spanning nearly six decades, with performances that introduced him to multiple generations of movie, television and theater fans.
The voice, wit and unmistakable presence of one of Hollywood’s great character actors will be deeply missed.
