Tim Curry, the distinctive British actor renowned for his portrayal of unconventional characters such as the extravagant, fishnet-clad mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” has passed away at the age of 80.
Confirming the news, his long-time manager and confidante, Marcia Hurwitz, mentioned that Curry passed away at his residence in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, initially stating it was Wednesday. The cause of death has not been disclosed yet. In 2012, Curry suffered a stroke and had been using a wheelchair since then.
He rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead in the horror-comedy stage musical “The Rocky Horror Show” and reprised his role in the 1975 film adaptation “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Known for his portrayal of sinister, eccentric villains, Curry starred as the malevolent clown Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries based on Stephen King’s “It.” He also appeared as Rooster Hannigan, brother of the embittered Miss Hannigan played by Carol Burnett, in the 1982 film “Annie.”
Apart from his reputation for witty humor and expressive facial expressions, Curry was cherished for his voice work in various animated children’s productions like “The Rugrats Movie” (1998), “The Pebble and the Penguin” (1995), “Rugrats in Paris” (2000), and “The Wild Thornberrys Movie” (2002).
His stage performances earned him three Tony nominations for “Spamalot,” “My Favourite Year,” and the titular role in “Amadeus,” in addition to an Emmy nomination in 1994 for his appearance on the horror anthology series “Tales from the Crypt.”
Describing Curry’s career as genre-defying, his PR manager, Sean Katz, highlighted his ability to seamlessly transition between different genres. Katz emphasized that Curry’s legacy lies in his inquisitive mind and compassionate heart that remained open until his last moments.
Throughout his illustrious five-decade career, Curry effortlessly navigated between genres, occasionally taking on dramatic roles in films like “The Three Musketeers” (1993) and “The Hunt for Red October” (1990). He also portrayed memorable characters such as the butler Wadsworth in the 1985 comedy “Clue” and the villainous Bill Sikes in the 1982 TV adaptation of “Oliver Twist.”
Tributes flooded in following Curry’s passing, with former colleagues and admirers celebrating his talent and impact on the entertainment industry. Carol Burnett, Curry’s co-star in “Annie,” paid homage to him on Instagram, recalling their time together and lauding his exceptional skills in playing endearing villains.
Renowned actor and comedian Rob Schneider expressed his sadness over Curry’s demise, praising his unmatched talent on stage and screen. The official Instagram page for “The Rocky Horror Show” also commemorated Curry, recognizing him as the original Dr. Frank-N-Furter and a true trailblazer in his craft.