Tim Curry has died at the age of 80, TMZ announced. The British actor, who became a popular culture icon thanks to his extravagant portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” died Tuesday evening at his home in Los Angeles. According to police sources cited by the American media, the police intervened around 11:23 p.m. and no criminal act is suspected.
Born in 1946 in England, Tim Curry began his career on the stage before achieving recognition in 1975 with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”. Initially coolly received by critics, the film gradually became a global phenomenon. Its nightly screenings, accompanied by costumed spectators and rituals, helped make this musical a cult object.
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But Tim Curry was not limited to this character. In 1990, he marked a new generation by playing the terrifying clown Pennywise in the first television adaptation of “It”, the novel by Stephen King. He also appeared in “Mom, I Missed the Plane Again!”, “Annie”, “The Hunt for Red October”, “Muppet Treasure Island”, “The Addams Family 2” and “Scary Movie 2”.
A film, television and theater actor, he had a particularly rich career for several decades. However, his health deteriorated sharply after a serious stroke in 2012, which required brain surgery. In his memoir “Vagabond”, published in 2025, he explained that he was no longer able to walk. He nevertheless remained active artistically and continued to discuss his journey with humor and perspective.
With his disappearance, a singular figure of cinema and theater has passed away. Tim Curry leaves behind a gallery of unforgettable characters.
