Celebrity Deaths
Tim Curry Dies At the Age 80
Actor Tim Curry has died at the age of 80. The Rocky Horror Picture Show star’s tragic passing was first reported by TMZ.
Sources told TMZ that Curry died late Tuesday night, August 25, at his home in Los Angeles. According to the media outlet’s sources, police responded to a call just after 11:20 p.m. No foul play is suspected in Curry’s death.
Born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, England, Curry started his storied acting career on the London stage in 1968 in a production of the musical Hair. He later went on to act in major roles on Broadway and in London, playing legendary characters in productions of Amadeus and Travesties.
In 1975, Curry became a household name, starring in his breakout role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The mega-popular movie became a cult classic, inspiring generations of fans to return to theaters again and again for the interactive aspect and spectacular sing-along stage show.
In an appearance on NPR’s Fresh Air, Curry told Terry Gross of his role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, “It’s sort of important to me because, you know, that first performance that sort of introduced me to everybody was so out there and so kind of outrageous.”
Curry also opened up about snagging the role, explaining that he first played his now-legendary character on the stage: “I got the part because I used to work a great deal at a theater in London called the Royal Court. And I guess, they have a little theater upstairs, which seats about 60 people, and I did Brecht there, and I did a sort of Rudyard Kipling show there.”
He went on to say that the next show was a “dreadful” Marxist musical that never opened. But the following musical to hit the stage was a new show… The Rocky Horror Picture Show. And of course, Curry played Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
While he’s best known for this role, Curry went on to star in It, Clue, Legend, Titanic, Congo, The Three Musketeers, and so many more. This is a developing story. As of now, there is no confirmed cause of death, and Curry’s family has not made a statement.
