British actor Tim Curry, renowned for his quirky portrayals of eccentric characters like the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” has passed away at the age of 80. Curry’s manager, Marcia Hurwitz, initially stated that he died on Wednesday but later corrected to Tuesday night at his Los Angeles residence. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Since suffering a stroke in 2012, Curry had been using a wheelchair.
Curry rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead in the horror-comedy stage musical “The Rocky Horror Show,” later reprising his role in the 1975 film adaptation. Known for his portrayal of villainous characters, he also played Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries “It” and Rooster Hannigan in the 1982 movie “Annie.”
Aside from his signature mischievous humor and expressive facial expressions, Curry lent his voice to various animated children’s projects such as “The Rugrats Movie,” “The Pebble and the Penguin,” “Rugrats in Paris,” and “The Wild Thornberrys Movie.” His stage work garnered three Tony nominations and an Emmy nomination for his appearance on “Tales from the Crypt” in 1994.
In an official statement, Curry’s PR manager, Sean Katz, highlighted the actor’s versatility in seamlessly transitioning between different genres throughout his career. Katz emphasized Curry’s legacy of an inquisitive mind and compassionate heart that resonated with his fans until the very end.
Tributes poured in following Curry’s passing, with colleagues like Carol Burnett and Rob Schneider expressing their admiration for his talent and unique on-screen presence. The official Instagram page for “The Rocky Horror Show” honored Curry as the original embodiment of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, recognizing his iconic contribution to the character.