Tim Curry, the legendary actor whose unforgettable performances terrified, shocked and entertained generations of movie fans, has died at 80.
Curry, best known for his wildly flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and his nightmare-inducing turn as Pennywise the clown in Stephen King’s “It,” died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to reports. His manager confirmed his death Wednesday.
The British actor became one of Hollywood’s most instantly recognizable character stars, building a decades-long career around villains, eccentrics and larger-than-life personalities that were nearly impossible to forget.
Born in Cheshire, England, in 1946, Curry began his acting career on the London stage before landing the role that would change his life forever.
He originated the outrageous Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the stage musical “The Rocky Horror Show” before bringing the character to the big screen in 1975’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Starring alongside Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick, Curry strutted through the film as the corset-wearing mad scientist in a performance that eventually became a pop-culture phenomenon.
Although the movie was not initially a massive mainstream hit, it exploded into one of the most famous cult films in history, spawning midnight screenings, audience participation and generations of devoted fans.
Decades later, Curry understood just how much his character had meant to people who felt like outsiders.
During an interview with “CBS Sunday Morning” last year, Curry said Frank-N-Furter “gave a lot of teenagers permission to be different,” adding that he was happy the character had that kind of influence.
But for an entirely different generation, Curry was the face of pure terror.
In the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s “It,” Curry transformed into Pennywise, the sinister clown who terrorized the children of Derry, Maine.
His chilling grin, bright costume and terrifying performance became so iconic that many fans still consider Curry’s Pennywise one of the most frightening villains ever put on television.
Curry’s career stretched far beyond those two roles.
He appeared in movies including “Clue,” “Annie,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” and countless television and stage productions. He also became a prolific voice actor, using his unmistakable voice for animated shows, movies and video games.
His work earned him three Tony Award nominations as well as Emmy recognition during his lengthy career.
Behind the outrageous characters, however, Curry remained famously private.
When CBS asked him about maintaining an air of mystery around his personal life, Curry said he believed being something of an enigma was important.
“I encourage it,” he said.
Curry offered fans a rare look behind that curtain with his memoir “Vagabond,” reflecting on his childhood in a military family, his years moving from place to place and the unlikely journey that eventually made him an international star.
His later years were marked by serious health struggles.
Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012 that left him partially paralyzed and using a wheelchair. Despite the setback, he continued working, particularly in voice acting, and occasionally appeared publicly for fan events and celebrations of his work.
More than 50 years after he first slipped into Frank-N-Furter’s heels, Curry remained forever tied to the strange, funny and fearless characters that made him famous.
For horror fans, he was Pennywise.
For comedy lovers, he was the unforgettable butler Wadsworth in “Clue.”
And for generations of “Rocky Horror” devotees, there will only ever be one Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
Tim Curry was 80.
