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

Tim Curry, the British actor best known for originating the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died at the age of 80. His longtime manager, Marcia Hurwitz, confirmed he passed away peacefully at his home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, on August 25 Source: BBC. No cause of death was disclosed, but Curry had been in ill health since suffering a major stroke in 2012, which left him using a wheelchair Source: Al Jazeera.

Career highlights

Curry first played Frank-N-Furter on stage in London in 1973, then reprised the role in the 1975 cult film, which became a global phenomenon Source: The Guardian. He went on to play memorable villains, including Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries It, Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, and the concierge in Home Alone 2 Source: BBC. He earned three Tony nominations for Broadway roles in Amadeus, My Favorite Year, and Spamalot, and won a Daytime Emmy for voice work in Peter Pan and the Pirates Source: AP News.

Tributes

Co-star Susan Sarandon praised Curry as "a funny, sexy, original," adding that even in a wheelchair he remained "sweet and generous with his fans" Source: BBC. Richard O'Brien, who wrote the musical, called him "a good egg and class act" Source: BBC. Luke Evans, who played Frank-N-Furter in a recent Broadway revival, described him as "a force, a bright fierce flame, an exquisite charm" Source: AP News.

Legacy

Curry's influence extended beyond acting; he published his memoir Vagabond last year Source: BBC. His portrayal of Frank-N-Furter is widely credited with giving audiences "permission to be who they discovered they wanted to be," as he told the Los Angeles Times in 2025 Source: LA Times.