Actor Tim Curry, known for his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult film Rocky Horror Picture Show, has passed away at the age of 80. His manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz confirmed the news but the cause of death has not been revealed.
Curry’s performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 film remains a fan favorite. He gained acclaim in both campy horror and mystery genres. Notable roles include Wadsworth in the movie Clue and the sinister clown Pennywise in the 1990 TV adaptation of Stephen King’s It.
Curry faced health challenges after a stroke in 2012, which left him partially paralyzed. Born on April 19, 1946, he had a career spanning over five decades in film, television, and theater.
His acting journey began on stage, participating in the London company of the musical Hair. Later, he moved to Los Angeles to advance his film and TV career. Audiences in the 1980s might recognize him as Rooster Hannigan in the movie musical Annie, where he shared the screen with Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters. In the 1992 sequel Home Alone 2, he played the memorable concierge Mr. Hector. He also portrayed Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island (1996).
Curry’s voice acting garnered him a Daytime Emmy in 1991 for his role as Captain Hook in the animated series Peter Pan and the Pirates. He received three Tony nominations, with his first for the titular role in Amadeus (1980). His last nomination came in 2005 for playing King Arthur in Spamalot. In 1993, he was nominated for his role as Alan Swann in My Favorite Year.
Last year, Curry published his memoir Vagabond to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. In the book, he reflected on how he infused parts of himself into his characters. Despite this, he mentioned the differences between his real self and his on-screen personas could disappoint some fans, though he personally found it less distressing.
In one of his final interviews, Curry spoke to CBS Sunday Morning in October 2025. In the conversation with Ben Mankiewicz of Turner Classic Movies, Curry expressed his joy in acting, emphasizing how it allowed him to embody someone different.
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