Tim Curry, an iconic actor best known for scene-stealing roles in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Annie” and “Clue,” has died. He was 80 years old.
The English actor died Wednesday at his home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, 14 years after he suffered a paralyzing stroke. He maintained a presence in the public eye through the intervening years through fan conventions, social media and his 2025 memoir “Vagabond.”
“Though widely known for his inimitable, flamboyant characters and colorful stage performances, his greatest legacies to those who knew him were his curious, expansive mind and generous, gentle heart, both of which remained open and filled with anticipation until his final breath,” Curry’s team shared in a statement Wednesday. His death was confirmed by his longtime friend and manager Marcia Hurwitz.
Throughout his career, the star received an Emmy Award, as well as nominations for a Grammy, two Oliviers and three Tonys. He also released three rock studio albums in addition to his memoir late last year.
Born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, England, Curry got his start in the West End production of “Hair” in 1968. He went on to appear on stage in “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Amadeus,” “My Favorite Year” and “Spamalot.”
It was originating the iconic role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show” on stage in London that first brought the actor to Los Angeles in a transfer production. The cult-favorite picture show then filmed in 1974 — but his subsequent Broadway debut as the character only ran for 45 performances and was a critical flop. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” movie hit theaters a few months after the Broadway close and became a cult classic.
“I think that was really one of the most formative things that has ever happened to me. I just went home and took out a bottle of vodka for about a month, actually. I sent out for submarine sandwiches and drank and got hugely patched, and then started work again,” Curry once said of that post-Broadway period. “And I think once you’ve had a really serious failure, nothing can ever be as bad as that again. So you might as well just go for it, because they can’t make you feel any worse than they did before.”
Elsewhere on screen, he starred in movies such as “Legend,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” “The Three Musketeers,” “Muppet Treasure Island,” “Addams Family Reunion,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “Scary Movie 2.” His instantly recognizable voice could also be heard in “Ferngully: The Last Rainforest” and “The Wild Thornberrys.”
