Tim Curry, the British actor who became a film icon as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and later terrified audiences as Pennywise in “It,” has died. He was 80.
Curry died Tuesday night at his home in Los Angeles. A cause of death was not immediately provided. Curry had been in ill health for some time.
Curry's career spanned theater, film, television, music and voice acting. He embraced flamboyant, eccentric and often menacing characters, delivering them with a commanding voice and theatrical style.
He originated the role of Frank-N-Furter in the 1973 London production of "The Rocky Horror Show," reprised it in Los Angeles and on Broadway, and starred in the 1975 film adaptation, his feature-film debut.
The movie became a midnight-screening phenomenon, earning Curry an enduring following. He returned to the story in 2016, appearing as the criminologist in Fox's television production starring Laverne Cox as Frank-N-Furter.
His other memorable roles included Wadsworth in "Clue," Darkness in "Legend," Rooster Hannigan in "Annie," and the Plaza Hotel concierge in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York." He played Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King's "It."
Tributes followed from Curry’s former co-stars. Carol Burnett, who appeared with him in “Annie,” remembered him as a friend and an unmatched screen villain.
“We had such a wonderful time working together on “Annie.” Nobody could play lovable villains better than he could. He was a dear friend. I was blessed to know him,” Burnett wrote.
Michael McKean, one of Curry’s “Clue” co-stars, recalled their final conversation.
Curry received three Tony Award nominations for playing Mozart in "Amadeus," Alan Swann in "My Favorite Year," and King Arthur in "Monty Python's Spamalot."
His voice roles included Captain Hook in "Peter Pan and the Pirates," Nigel Thornberry in "The Wild Thornberrys," and Chancellor Palpatine in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." Curry received a 1994 Primetime Emmy nomination for playing several members of a troubled family in "Tales From the Crypt."
Curry suffered a major stroke in July 2012 and later used a wheelchair, but continued recording voice roles and making public appearances. He discussed the stroke, his recovery, and his career in his 2025 memoir, "Vagabond."