Tim Curry, of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' dies at 80

Tim Curry, the renowned actor known for his role in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, has passed away at the age of 80, according to reports from Variety and TMZ. There was no immediate cause of death provided, though Curry had been dealing with poor health following a severe stroke that left him confined to a wheelchair.

Curry had a prolific career, earning nominations for Laurence Olivier and Tony Awards for his stage work in both the UK and the US. He also delivered Emmy-winning performances in TV shows. Curry was born in Cheshire and spent his formative years moving between various homes in the UK, including Hong Kong. He studied at Bath and Birmingham universities, where he honed his skills as a soprano singer.

Curry's big break came in 1975 when he was cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Known for his elaborate costumes and unusual mannerisms, Curry played a variety of roles that often featured exaggerated costumes and comedic elements. These include Gomez Addams in "The Addams Family Reunion," Long John Silver in "Muppet Treasure Island," and Pennywise the Clown in a Stephen King miniseries.

He also provided voices for characters like the Joker in "Batman: The Animated Series" and Chancellor Palpatine in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." Curry's career extended to historical figures, portraying Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, William Shakespeare, and King Arthur in the Monty Python musical "Spamalot." He was among the first actors to venture into video game roles, notably as Soviet military officer Anatoly Cherdenko in "Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3."

Curry also released several solo studio albums and contributed to various soundtrack records, reflecting his deep musical background in his acting roles.