From Dr Frank-N-Furter to Long John Silver, these are Tim Curry’s nine most memorable roles

Tim Curry, a renowned actor, singer, voice actor, and writer, passed away at the age of 80 due to complications from a stroke. Though best remembered for his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Curry's career spanned more than five decades and encompassed a diverse range of roles.

Born in Grappenhall, England in 1946, Curry grew up in a military family and often moved around the world. After studying drama and English literature at Birmingham University, he began his career with conventional roles in classical plays. However, it was his transformation into terrifying characters through makeup and prosthetics that truly defined his career.

Curry's ability to disappear under makeup became evident when he played the Lord of Darkness in Legend (1985) and the evil clown Pennywise in It (1990). These performances left a lasting impact on audiences, with Pennywise specifically becoming a cultural phenomenon. His portrayal of the menacing clown remains celebrated for the sheer evil he conveyed.

Despite initial success on Broadway with The Rocky Horror Show, the musical ultimately flopped. However, Curry's performance in the London West End revived interest, leading to the 1975 film adaptation. While the film initially struggled at the box office, it found renewed popularity when shown as a midnight movie, resulting in fans dressing up and engaging with the film's events.

In later years, Curry continued to entertain audiences in various projects, including Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), Scary Movie 2 (2001), and Criminal Minds (2005–). A major stroke in 2012 left him in a wheelchair, but it did not hinder his ability to perform. Curry delivered numerous voice performances in films such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) and Transformers: Rescue Bots (2011–16), showcasing his enduring skill and passion for acting.