Tim Curry, Iconic 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' Actor, Dies at 80
Tim Curry, the British actor famed for his cult role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in *The Rocky Horror Picture Show* and as Pennywise in Stephen King's *It*, died Tuesday evening at age 80 at his home in Los Angeles. His manager confirmed the death; no cause was disclosed. Curry had health issues since a 2012 stroke. His career spanned over 240 projects, including *Home Alone 2*, *Clue*, and *Muppet Treasure Island*, earning Tony and Emmy nominations.
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Obituary for Tim Curry: Flamboyant Actor and Queer Icon Dies at 80
Tim Curry, the British character actor best known for his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 cult film 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' has died at the age of 80 at his home in Los Angeles. The cause of death was not disclosed, though he suffered a stroke in 2012. Curry was celebrated for his flamboyant, stylish portrayals of villains and eccentric characters, including the horror clown Pennywise in Stephen King's 'It' (1990) and the concierge in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.' He also released glam rock albums in the late 1970s. The article highlights his role as a queer icon and his fearless, campy performance style, noting his influence on counterculture and midnight screenings worldwide.
Actor Tim Curry Dies at 80
British actor Tim Curry, best known for his iconic cult role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 film 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' has died at the age of 80. The news was reported by German outlet Die Welt on August 27, 2026. Curry's performance as the flamboyant transvestite scientist made him a beloved figure in pop culture, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community and among fans of camp cinema. Beyond Rocky Horror, Curry had a prolific career in film, television, and theater, with notable roles in 'The Hunt for Red October,' 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,' 'It' (as Pennywise the Clown), and 'Clue.' He also voiced characters in animated series and films. Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012 but continued to work occasionally. His death marks the end of an era for a generation of fans who celebrated his unique talent and charisma.
Tim Curry, Famed Actor of 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' and 'Home Alone 2,' Dies at 80
Tim Curry, the British character actor known for his iconic roles as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and the concierge in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,' died on Tuesday evening at his home in Los Angeles at age 80. His longtime manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz confirmed the death, though no cause was disclosed. Curry suffered a stroke in 2012 that left him in a wheelchair. He earned three Tony nominations for 'Spamalot,' 'My Favorite Year,' and 'Amadeus,' and an Emmy nomination in 1994. His career spanned stage and screen, including roles in Stephen King's 'It' miniseries, 'The Hunt for Red October,' and 'The Three Musketeers.' Born in Cheshire, England, Curry discovered acting in his teens and trained at the University of Birmingham. He is remembered for his arch humor, distinctive voice, and portrayal of memorable villains.
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Tim Curry Originally Felt ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Would Limit His Acting Prospects
Prolific actor Tim Curry died on Tuesday at age 80 at his home in Toluca Lake, California. His manager confirmed the death to Variety; cause was not disclosed, though Curry had health issues since a 2012 stroke. During a 50th anniversary screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Academy Museum in September 2025, Curry recalled initially fearing his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter would limit his acting prospects. However, director Stephen Frears told him, 'If you can play Frank-N-Furter, you can play anything,' a prediction that proved true as Curry amassed over 240 projects across film, TV, and video games. Curry also described his Pennywise character from Stephen King's IT as 'a smile gone bad.' His notable films include Clue, Annie, Muppet Treasure Island, and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
Tim Curry, Star of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and 'It,' Dies at 80
British actor Tim Curry has died at the age of 80, as reported by multiple media outlets including the New York Times, citing his longtime agent Marcia Hurwitz. He passed away on Tuesday evening. Curry had been struggling with serious health issues for over a decade, having suffered a severe stroke in 2012 from which he had been recovering. He achieved worldwide fame for his breakthrough role as a transvestite in the cult classic 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and for his iconic portrayal of the clown Pennywise in the television adaptation of Stephen King's 'It.' His death marks the end of a celebrated career that spanned stage and screen.
Tim Curry, Rocky Horror Picture Show Legend, Dies at 80
Actor Tim Curry has reportedly died at the age of 80. The British performer, best known for his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, died on Tuesday night at his home in Los Angeles, according to TMZ. His cause of death was not disclosed. Curry had faced health issues since suffering a major stroke in 2012. His career spanned decades, with standout roles including Pennywise in the TV adaptation of Stephen King's It, Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, and the concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York. He was also a prolific voice actor, notably as Sir Nigel Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys, and received a Tony nomination for his work in Spamalot. In recent years, he returned to the Rocky Horror universe for a TV special and contributed to the documentary Strange Journey.