English actor Tim Curry, known worldwide for playing Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has passed away at age 80. Curry first performed the famous role on stage before appearing in the 1975 movie adaptation. Although the film was not an immediate success in theaters, it later became a major cult classic and built a dedicated fan base that carried its legacy for decades.
Curry, who was born in Cheshire in 1946, began his professional acting career in the original London production of Hair in 1968. In 1973, Richard O’Brien invited him to audition for a new musical that became The Rocky Horror Show. The actor’s performance as Frank N. Furter shaped his career, playing an extravagant lingerie-clad “sweet transvestite”. He later appeared in films including Annie, Clue, Legend, The Hunt for Red October, Home Alone 2, Muppet Treasure Island, and Congo. The British star also played Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It.
Tim Curry was recognized with Tony Award nominations during his theater career and also became a successful voice actor. In 2012, he suffered a major stroke that affected his mobility and required him to use a wheelchair. He continued working in voice acting and made appearances at film conventions. He published a memoir, Vagabond, in 2025, adding a literary chapter to a career that lasted more than five decades.
