Actor Tim Curry dies at 80 — remembering his most iconic roles
Actor Tim Curry, known for his flamboyant and versatile performances across film, television and theater, has died at his Los Angeles home at age 80. He had struggled with health issues since suffering a stroke in 2012.
Actor Tim Curry has died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 80. No cause of death has been given, but Curry had been in poor health since 2012, when a stroke required brain surgery and left him using a wheelchair. His longtime friend and manager, Marcia Hurwitz, confirmed to Deadline that Curry died peacefully.
An official statement noted that across five decades, Curry moved fluidly between comedy, horror, drama and music, refusing to be confined to a single type of role. Despite his 2012 stroke, he continued working as an artist and, more recently, as a writer.
A career of many faces
Beyond his live-action work, Curry was also a prolific voice actor, winning an Emmy for voicing Captain Hook and appearing in the animated series "The Wild Thornberrys." From 2012 to 2014 he voiced Palpatine in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars."
His stage career began in 1968 with a London production of "Hair." He later received three Tony nominations, including for his roles in "Amadeus," "My Favorite Year" and "Spamalot," in which he played King Arthur.
Among his best-known film roles are the butler Wadsworth in the comedy "Clue" (1985), the menacing clown Pennywise in the Stephen King adaptation "IT" (1990), Cardinal Richelieu in "The Three Musketeers" (1993), and Long John Silver in "Muppet Treasure Island" (1996). He also appeared in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" and "Charlie's Angels."
However, Curry is most fondly remembered as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975), a role he originated on the London stage in 1973. It remained his most celebrated performance, and last year he took part in a 50th anniversary celebration of the film.
