Tim Curry, ‘Rocky Horror’ and ‘It’ star, dies at 80

Legendary British actor Tim Curry, best known for his iconic roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and It, has died at the age of 80. Curry passed away peacefully at his home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, on Tuesday night, according to his longtime friend and manager Marcia Hurwitz. His cause of death has not been disclosed. Curry, who suffered a stroke in 2012 that left him partially paralyzed, had faced serious health challenges for more than a decade.

Curry launched his professional acting career in the late 1960s and landed his breakthrough role as the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He later terrified audiences as Pennywise the clown in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It. His other notable credits included Annie, Clue, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Hunt for Red October, The Three Musketeers, Muppet Treasure Island and Scary Movie 2.

A versatile performer across stage, film and television, Curry received three Tony Award nominations and an Emmy nomination, while also lending his voice to animated series including Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In his 2025 memoir Vagabond, Curry reflected on the distinction between his real personality and the flamboyant characters he portrayed. He never married or had children and is survived by his nieces, great-nieces and nephew. His publicist described his lasting legacy as both an extraordinary artist and a person known for his curious mind and generous, gentle heart.