Tim Curry, the legendary actor best known for his unforgettable roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Stephen King's It, has died at the age of 80.
Curry died Tuesday night at his home in Los Angeles, according to reports. His manager confirmed his death, while police sources said there was no suspicion of foul play. An official cause of death has not been announced.
The British actor built a remarkable career across stage, film and television, but it was his ability to completely transform himself that made him such an unforgettable performer.
Curry first made his mark on London's West End after appearing in the original production of Hair in 1968. It was during that production that he met Richard O'Brien, who would later create The Rocky Horror Show.
Curry went on to originate the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the stage production in 1973. Two years later, he brought the character to the big screen in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, wearing the iconic corset, stockings and makeup.
Although the movie was not an immediate success, it eventually became a massive cult classic, with generations of fans attending midnight screenings and dressing up as their favorite characters.
Curry later took on another role that would become one of the most recognizable performances of his career.
In 1990, he played Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the television adaptation of Stephen King's It. His terrifying performance introduced an entire generation to the character and helped establish him as one of horror's most memorable villains.
His career stretched far beyond horror.
Curry appeared in Clue, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Annie, Legend, Muppet Treasure Island and Scary Movie 2. He also became a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous animated shows and movies.
On stage, he received multiple Tony nominations and later starred as King Arthur in the Broadway production of Spamalot. He also won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991 for his voice performance in Peter Pan and the Pirates.
Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012, which affected his mobility and memory. Despite the setback, he continued working in voice acting and occasionally appeared publicly.
He released his memoir, Vagabond, in 2025, reflecting on his extraordinary career and life.
Now, fans are remembering an actor whose performances could be funny, frightening, flamboyant and completely unforgettable.
Tim Curry may be gone, but Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Pennywise remain permanently etched into pop culture history.