Tim Curry, star of 'Rocky Horror' and 'It', dies at 80

Tim Curry, the British actor whose flamboyant portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and chilling turn as Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries It made him a cultural icon, has died at age 80. He passed away on the night of August 25 at his home in Los Angeles, with his longtime representative Marcia Hurwitz confirming the news Source: El Nacional. Police responded to a call at his residence and found no signs of foul play Source: Clarin.

Career highlights

Curry's career spanned over five decades across theater, film, and television. He first gained fame in 1973 as Frank-N-Furter in the London stage musical The Rocky Horror Show, a role he reprised in the 1975 film adaptation, which became a cult phenomenon through midnight screenings Source: ABC. He also played memorable villains like Rooster Hannigan in Annie (1982) and Wadsworth in Clue (1985), and appeared in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York as the suspicious hotel concierge Source: Milenio.

Pennywise and personal struggles

Curry's portrayal of Pennywise in It terrified a generation, though he later revealed in his memoirs Vagabond that he suffered anxiety during filming, saying, "I detest clowns, but I said yes, with much uncertainty" Source: Excelsior. He also debunked rumors that he couldn't look at himself in the mirror, noting he simply didn't enjoy his reflection Source: Excelsior.

In 2012, Curry suffered a stroke that left him using a wheelchair and affected his mobility and speech Source: La Voz. Despite this, he maintained his humor, saying, "But humor saved me. It's part of my DNA" Source: La Voz. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues, celebrating his unique talent and enduring legacy.