Tim Curry Dies Aged 80: Tributes Paid to Iconic Actor

English star Tim Curry, acclaimed for playing unforgettable villains and flamboyant characters across a five-decade career, has passed away peacefully at the age of 80.

The versatile performer, who used a wheelchair following a severe stroke in 2012, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy spanning theatre, cinema, and music.

Born in Cheshire in 1946, Curry studied drama and English at Birmingham University before making his professional stage debut in the 1968 London production of “Hair”. He achieved international fame originating the role of Dr Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”.

His wide-ranging screen credits include portraying Pennywise in the 1990 television miniseries “It”, alongside roles in “Annie”, “Clue”, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”, and “Muppet Treasure Island”. On stage, Curry earned three Tony nominations for performances in “Amadeus”, “My Favorite Year”, and “Spamalot”, alongside an Olivier nomination for “The Pirates of Penzance”.

Fellow actor Carol Burnett praised her former co-star, stating, “Nobody could play lovable villains better than he could.”

Curry, who published his memoir Vagabond in 2025, was also remembered by manager Marcia Hurwitz for his “curious, expansive mind and generous, gentle heart.”

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