Tim Curry, Star of Rocky Horror Picture Show and Stephen King's It, Dies Aged 80
Tim Curry, the versatile actor known for his iconic roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the TV miniseries It, has died at 80. His career spanned stage and screen, from Dr. Frank-N-Furter to Pennywise, with notable performances in Legend, Spamalot, and numerous voice roles. After a stroke in 2012, he continued to work and released his memoir in 2025.
I’ve had the opportunities, and I’m still showing up. You know? I think that’s what you have to do. You have to keep showing up.
- WarOnPrivacy
I have a Tim Curry-adjacent story.
A family friend had a yellow ~73 Duster. Tim Curry autographed her hood in spray paint. This was back in the early Rocky Horror days - a live performance in NYC, I think. Everyone adored the signature.
ff to mid 80's: She is leaving work. She gets to her parking space and sees that her hood is just yellow; the autograph is gone.
She's staring in shock when the attendant walks up to her and says in a heavy Arabic accent: "I'm so sorry that happened to you. I scrubbed and I scrubbed all morning until I finally got it all off!" and is just beaming at her. Her shock hasn't let up any. She manages to squeak out a "Thank you" and leaves.
- TallGuyShort
I often chuckle at the observation that Tim Curry and Michael Caine's respective roles in the Muppet films were so beloved because Michael Caine acted like all the muppets were real actors, and Tim Curry acted like he was a muppet. He would have an impressive range of serious / comedic roles anyway, but I admire the ability for an actor that successful to be able to put himself be in such a silly role that well too.
- callumprentice
I was a fan since university when someone down the corridor would have The Rocky Horror Picture Show playing all the time...
Imagine my delight at seeing him on a packed London Tube one morning on my way to work. He asked to get by and I said something like "Just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right?" waiting for him to burst into song with the whole carriage joining in..
He just scowled and pushed past - still made my day though :)
- fallinditch
When I was a teenager my aunt got me and my brother some tickets to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show - the original west end theater production: "you must see this". We had front row seats for a weekday matinee performance, Tim Curry was in the middle of a long run as Dr Frank-N-Furter - and boy, he blew our little socks off. I have never been present at such powerful stage magnetism before or since. The film version sorta captured it somewhat, but in the flesh he was unbelievable, powerful and ... divine.
- 120bits
My first movie that introduced me to Tim Curry was Home Alone 2. It was maybe first few Hollywood Movies that I watched with parents(non-english speaking).
Now I'm 42yrs old, and when my parents visit me, I watch Home Alone 2 with them. It has somewhat become a family tradition now.
Thank you Tim for such a memorable moments. Great actor!
- cestith
Annie, Clue, Command & Conquer, Criminal Minds, Legend, Muppets Treasure Island, Rocky Horror Picture Show
He was an icon. It’s said you can tell a lot about a person by from where they recognize him.
- petethomas
In 1979 Curry had a Billboard Hot 100 song in the U.S. called "I Do The Rock" https://archive.org/details/TimCurryIDoTheRock
- shdon
Apart from RHPS, his role in Clue was a highlight for me. And him giving Gabriel Knight.