Tim Curry Dead At 80

Timothy James Curry, a renowned British actor and singer, has died at the age of 80. TMZ revealed that the actor passed away last night at his residence in Los Angeles. Curry is best remembered for his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult favorite musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, as well as for his portrayal of comic-relief villains in numerous film roles. He also showcased his talent in various stage musicals and had a successful pop career in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Born to a naval chaplain, Curry spent his formative years in Hong Kong and several British coastal towns. He began his musical journey as a child, honing his classical vocal skills. Curry made his acting debut in 1968 in the West End production of the musical Hair. In 1973, he took on the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, which he had originally conceived, in the West End and Broadway production of The Rocky Horror Show.

Curry's inventive character design and performance helped transform the musical into a hit, spawning a successful stage and film adaptation.

Curry's involvement in The Rocky Horror Show led to a recording career with A&M Records. His 1978 debut album, Read My Lips, produced by Alice Cooper/KISS producer Bob Ezrin, featured covers of songs by The Beatles and Joni Mitchell. Curry's 1979 album, Fearless, included the hit single "I Do The Rock," which reached a peak of #91 on the Billboard Hot 100. He went on to collaborate with composer Michael Kamen on music projects, releasing a best-of collection in 1985.

Curry's theatrical achievements included a Tony nomination for his performance as Mozart in the 1981 play Amadeus, and he received further nominations for his musical roles in My Favorite Year (1993) and Spamalot (2005). On the big screen, Curry delivered memorable performances as Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's It, and he appeared in notable films such as Annie, Legend, Clue, The Hunt for Red October, Home Alone 2, Muppet Treasure Island, and Charlie's Angels.