Tim Curry, iconic ‘Rocky Horror’ star, dies at 80

LOS ANGELES: British actor Tim Curry, best known for his unforgettable performance as Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died at the age of 80, according to Variety and other media reports.

Curry, whose distinctive baritone voice and theatrical performances made him a celebrated figure in film, television and theatre, died on August 26. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

His portrayal of Dr. Frank N. Furter in the 1975 cult musical horror-comedy The Rocky Horror Picture Show became the defining role of his career. The film initially struggled to find a mainstream audience but later developed a passionate international following through midnight screenings.

Audiences often attended screenings dressed as characters from the movie, helping turn the production into one of cinema’s most enduring cult classics.

Curry first played Dr. Frank N. Furter in the original London stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in 1973. He later reprised the role for the film adaptation, appearing alongside Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick.

Although the character brought Curry worldwide recognition, he was concerned that such an unconventional role could overshadow the rest of his career. He nevertheless embraced the part and went on to build a diverse body of work across several entertainment genres.

Curry appeared in numerous films, frequently playing villains or eccentric characters. His credits included Clue, Legend, Annie, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Three Musketeers, The Shadow, Muppet Treasure Island and Charlie’s Angels.

His career extended well beyond cinema. Curry was also a highly regarded stage performer and received three Tony Award nominations.

He was nominated in 1981 for playing Mozart in Amadeus. His other Tony nominations came for My Favorite Year in 1993 and for his performance as King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot in 2005.

Curry’s deep, recognisable voice also made him a sought-after voice actor. He worked on numerous animated productions for film and television and won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991 for his voice performance in Peter Pan & the Pirates.

The actor became particularly associated with flamboyant and larger-than-life villains. His distinctive laugh, expressive face and commanding voice allowed him to bring a memorable theatrical quality to even supporting roles.

Despite appearing in some critically unsuccessful productions, Curry remained candid about his career. He occasionally acknowledged his weaker performances with humour and continued to embrace challenging and unusual roles.

Born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, Curry studied drama at Birmingham University before pursuing a career in theatre.

His career was affected by health problems later in life. He withdrew from a British stage production in 2011 because of ill health. His representatives later confirmed that he had suffered a stroke in 2012, after which he used a wheelchair and significantly reduced his professional workload.

Despite these challenges, Curry continued working in entertainment. He returned to the big screen in 2024 with an appearance in the horror film Stream.

Curry was also a singer and composer. He performed with his own rock band and released several albums during his career.

He lived in Los Angeles and never married or had children.