The Rocky Horror Picture Show actor Tim Curry dies at 80

Tim Curry, the renowned character actor who brought to life iconic villain roles such as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the mischievous concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, has passed away at the age of 80. Curry suffered a stroke in 2012 which left him confined to a wheelchair, but he continued to be an active presence in the entertainment industry until his passing on Wednesday in Los Angeles, according to his longtime manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz. No specific cause of death was disclosed.

Throughout his illustrious career, Curry earned three Tony nominations for his performances in Spamalot, My Favorite Year, and Amadeus, and received an Emmy nomination in 1994. In an interview with The Associated Press in 1993, Curry expressed his fascination with delving into the more peculiar aspects of human nature and behavior, often portraying eccentric characters that piqued his curiosity.

Curry's breakthrough role came as the Transylvanian, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, in the 1973 sci-fi, cross-dressing rock musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which premiered in London. He later starred in the 1975 Broadway adaptation and the 1975 cult-classic film, alongside Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf, and Susan Sarandon. The show, which pushed the boundaries of LGBTQ+ representation, has become a pop culture staple, renowned for its memorable scenes, including the hit song "The Time Warp" and the infamous line "Dammit, Janet!"

Born in Cheshire, England, Curry's father was a Navy chaplain, and he was only 12 years old when he passed away. Curry learned to cook at a young age, a skill that has remained a lifelong passion, and developed his humor at an early age. After attending a school for the sons of Methodist ministers, Curry later enrolled at the University of Birmingham, where he largely ignored his academic courses and focused on acting.

He made his first professional acting appearance in Hair in the West End, eventually joining the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Court Theatre, where he was cast in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.