Actor Tim Curry dies at 80

Tim Curry, the British actor renowned for his role in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has passed away at the age of 80. Curry's career spanned over five decades, with notable roles including the sinister clown Pennywise in Stephen King's It, and a variety of films such as Annie, Clue, Charlie's Angels, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and Muppet Treasure Island.

His robust baritone voice also led to a successful career in voice acting for animated films and TV shows, earning him a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991 for his work on Peter Pan & the Pirates.

Born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, Curry was the only child of a Royal Navy chaplain and a school secretary. After studying drama at Birmingham University, he made his theatrical debut as Dr Frank-N-Furter in the original London stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in 1973. He reprised the role in the 1975 film adaptation, which has since become a staple of midnight cinema screenings.

Curry's performances on stage earned him a Tony nomination in 1981 for his portrayal of Mozart in Amadeus. He received further recognition with Tony nominations in 1993 for My Favorite Year and in 2005 for King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot. Known for his larger-than-life villainous roles, Curry was frequently cast as Hollywood villains, often with comic overtones, allowing him to deliver over-the-top performances.

Despite suffering a stroke in 2012 that left him partially paralyzed, Curry continued to work, withdrawing from stage productions in 2011 due to health issues. He later used a wheelchair and reduced his workload, resuming some acting roles in 2024. Curry lived in Los Angeles and never married, having no children. In October 2025, he published his memoir, Vagabond.