Tim Curry, Rocky Horror Picture Show and It star, dies at 80
Actor Tim Curry, who became a cult icon as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and later terrified a generation as Pennywise in It, has died at his Los Angeles home. He was 80.
Curry died peacefully at his home in the Toluca Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday, his representative Sean Katz said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Los Angeles police responded to a death investigation involving a man in his 80s at the address at 11:20 p.m., while firefighters were called to a medical event there at 10:42 p.m., CNN reported. An immediate cause of death was not disclosed.
“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,” the statement said.
Born Timothy James Curry in Cheshire in 1946, he began his professional career in the original London production of Hair in 1968. His breakout came five years later, when he originated the role of Frank-N-Furter in Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show.
Curry reprised the role in the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which became a lasting cult phenomenon.
His other notable screen roles included Darkness in Legend, Wadsworth in Clue, Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, the concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It.
He was also a prolific voice actor, known for roles including Nigel Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys, Captain Hook in Peter Pan and the Pirates and numerous animated series, audiobooks and video games.
Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012 and had dealt with health problems in the years since. He continued working after his recovery, including voice projects and appearances at fan conventions.
His social media accounts shared a passage about death after announcing his passing: “But if death comes for me peacefully and I fade gently from light into dark oblivion, why would I be afraid of it? Sometimes, I rather think it would be a comfort.”
The post Tim Curry, Rocky Horror Picture Show and It star, dies at 80 appeared first on BNO News.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
