We have to sadly report the passing of beloved British actor Tim Curry, who was 80 years old and first entered the major acting community in the 1960s with the stage version of “Hair.” He spent a significant amount of time moving between the stage and the screen and was best known for his unique, recognizable voice and an extremely charming, cheeky wit, often helping to make his characters, even villains, ones that audiences become fond of.
Trade outlets such as Variety have confirmed Curry’s death, with longtime manager Marcia Hurwitz, who said the late actor “died peacefully at his Toluca Lake home.” A cause of death was not immediately made available; however, Curry had suffered from several health issues over the years since having a severe stroke back in 2012, which had left him in a wheelchair and with other physical ailments.
A taste of his most notable projects over a lengthy career included the iconic musical “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” his first major film role, making the transition from the stage to the silver screen in the part of Dr. Frank N. Furter. He also played a version of the devil in Ridley Scott‘s fantasy film “Legend,” and the first iteration of Pennywise in the TV version of “IT.” Some of his prolific film work includes “Muppet Treasure Island,” “Congo,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” “Clue,” “Annie,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Shadow,” and the first film in the Jack Ryan franchise, “The Hunt for Red October.”
Tim Curry’s final major feature film role was in John Landis‘ “Burke & Hare,” a morbid dark comedy about the era of lucrative body-snatching for cash schemes that starred Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis as the titular ghouls.
Exploring the actor’s past, he was born April 19, 1948, in rural Grappenhall, Cheshire, and after his father’s death in 1958, the family moved to South London.
We’re sure that future “Rocky Horror Picture Show” screenings, now a tradition for decades to re-play the musical and sing along with the iconic songs like “The Time Warp,” will have a more tender aspect to it now that Curry has died. Our thoughts are with Curry’s family, friends, fans, and loved ones in their moment of loss and grief.
