R.I.P. Tim Curry (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Annie, Clue, and more)

Rest in peace, Dr. Frank-N-Furter,

Eccentric and devilishly memorable British-born actor and singer Tim Curry passed away on August 25 at his home in Los Angeles, at the age of 80, as confirmed by his longtime manager, Marcia Hurwitz. While the exact cause of death was not immediately known, Curry was known to be in fragile health, continually trying to recover following a 2012 stroke.

Timothy James Curry was born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire England to a school secretary mother and a father who was a Methodist chaplain in the British Navy. Young Curry was enamored by the entertainment he heard on the family radio, inspiring his later acting and voice work and a factor in his joining a church choir as a boy soprano.

Graduating with a BA in English and drama from the University of Birmingham in 1968, he moved to London and began acting in plays, including a new musical called “Hair.” In the original company, he would also meet fellow thespian, Richard O’ Brien, who would go on to write “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and cast Curry in his most iconic role.

Curry would also try his hand as a rock singer, releasing three albums, with A&M Records releasing a best-of compilation in 1989. We particularly like the slightly goofy, reggae-tinged, horn-heavy single, “Working on My Tan” from 1981.

In addition to Frank-N-Furter, his 80’s film roles were also distinctive – from playing Rooster Hannigan in 1982’s Annie, to Wadsworth the butler in 1985’s Clue, to the larger-than-life Lord of Darkness in Ridley Scott’s 1985 underrated film, Legend.

He had developed a fine reputation along the way, playing cunning and charismatic villains, and was still continuing stage acting- Tony Award-nominated in both “Amadeus” in 1980, and as King Arthur in the original 2005 production of “Spamalot” On television, he played the murderous clown, Pennywise in the critically acclaimed 1990 “It” mini-series.

Curry never married, was very protective of his personal life, and left no immediate survivors.