#SHOWBIZ: 'Rocky Horror' legend Tim Curry dies at 80

Tim Curry, the renowned English actor famed for his portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the iconic musical film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has passed away at the age of 80, according to US media reports on Wednesday. Curry, who battled health issues for over a decade following a debilitating stroke, had passed away in his Los Angeles home, as per TMZ, citing unnamed sources.

A theater veteran, Curry embarked on his career at London's West End before reprising the role of the gender-bending mad scientist in the 1975 film, which remains a staple of midnight cinema screenings more than half a century later. His extensive credits also include the sinister Pennywise in a 1990 TV miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's It, and appearances in films such as Charlie's Angels and Muppet Treasure Island.

A distinguished theatrical career began in the 1960s, which saw Curry perform at the Royal Court Theatre and Citizens Theatre, tackling roles penned by Shakespeare, Brecht, and Tom Stoppard, among others. Curry received Tony and Olivier Award nominations for his stage work in New York and London, notably as King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot, the stage adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

His striking good looks and extraordinary ability to embody both camp and villainy made him a sought-after performer for roles requiring a certain air of wickedness. This was evident in Annie (1982), where he played con artist Rooster Hannigan, and Clue (1985), where he portrayed the butler orchestrating a murder at a country estate.

While he ventured into straight roles, such as opposite Sean Connery in The Hunt for Red October, his comedic talents truly shone, even in minor parts like the Plaza Hotel concierge in Home Alone 2. However, it was his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter that truly defined his career. The madcap stage creation by Richard O'Brien tells the story of an unsuspecting young couple who find themselves in the home of a scientist creating a cross-dressing sexual plaything.

The film, initially met with mixed reviews, evolved into a cult classic through midnight showings, with fans donning costumes to join in the singing, dancing, and even throwing popcorn and frankfurters at the screen. Curry recalled in a TV interview in the 1970s that he was initially hesitant to take on the role, fearing it might become an indelible image.

Yet, Curry often reflected that it was only worth undertaking risks that offered such transformative opportunities.