Legendary Stage & Screen Actor Tim Curry Passes Away at 80

Legendary actor of stage and screen, Tim Curry, has passed away. Deadline reported the news earlier today. His passing was confirmed by the actor’s longtime manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz. The actor was 80 years old.

Curry reportedly passed away peacefully, but no cause of death was provided. It’s said that Curry was dealing with “precarious health” issues after suffering a major stroke in 2012. The actor had been using a wheelchair after the stroke and undergoing brain surgery.

An announcement on the actor’s passing read as follows:

“Throughout his life, he refused to be boxed in or confined to others’ expectations. Across five decades, he moved fluidly between comedy, horror, drama, and music, delighting himself and his legion of fans with his countless dynamic personas. … He is, depending on who you ask, the definitive Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the definitive Pennywise, the man who made a butler’s death-scene monologue in Clue an all-time comedic bit, or simply ‘that unforgettable voice’ from a beloved cartoon of someone’s childhood.

“Few actors can claim to have left as many distinct fingerprints on pop culture,” the statement continues, “and though he suffered a debilitating stroke in 2012, he continued adding to his achievements as an artist and, most recently, a writer. Though widely known for his inimitable, flamboyant characters and colorful stage performances, his greatest legacies to those who knew him were his curious, expansive mind and generous, gentle heart, both of which remained open and filled with anticipation until his final breath.”

Curry was born in Grappenhall, Cheshire, England, in 1946. He later attended Birmingham University to study drama and English from 1965-68. After studying at university, he appeared in the original London production of Hair in 1968.

The actor later landed the breakout role of a lifetime as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The first stage production was produced at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, and it became a breakout hit, with productions being produced across the globe.

Curry was also cast in the eventual movie version of the play, which was released in 1975. The film became an overnight sensation, where attendees would attend screenings dressed as their favorite characters and even start participating. The Rocky Horror Picture Show became known for its audience-participation experiences. The film’s soundtrack reached No. 55 on the Billboard 200 and No. 79 in the UK. It also reached No. 16 on the charts for its 50th anniversary re-release last year.

Curry would appear in multiple film and television roles throughout his career. He portrayed the extravagant demon, Lord Darkness, in Ridley Scott’s 1986 fantasy feature, Legend, opposite Tom Cruise and Mia Sara. He also portrayed Stephen King’s iconic and malevolent clown, Pennywise, in the 1990 television miniseries adaptation of IT.

The actor also branched out to voice-over work in animation, winning a Daytime Emmy Award for his role as Captain Hook in the 1991 animated Fox Kids series, Peter Pan and the Pirates. He also voiced Nigel Thornberry in the classic Nickelodeon series, The Wild Thornberrys. Curry also voiced the villainous Skullmaster in Mighty Max, and he portrayed characters in multiple video games, including Frankenstein: Through the Eyes of a Monster, Red Alert 3, Dragon Age: Origins, and Brutal Legend.

Some of Curry’s other film roles include the ensemble comedy Clue, Oscar opposite Sylvester Stallone, The Hunt for Red October opposite Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin, Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Congo, Charlie’s Angels, and Scary Movie 2.

After suffering a devastating stroke in 2012, Curry would continue acting in voice-over work, benefit readings, and cabaret performances, and he also practiced physical and speech therapy to aid in his recovery. Additionally, he’d continue to make frequent appearances on the convention circuit to meet and interact with fans.

The thespian made his final on-screen TV appearance in 2016 with The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again, a television remake of the classic show and movie. He appeared in the feature as the Narrator.

Curry was not married and had no children.