'Rocky Horror' star Tim Curry dies at 80 at Los Angeles home
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tim Curry, the British actor whose flamboyant performance as 'Dr Frank-N-Furter' made him inseparable from 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', has died at 80.
Marcia Hurwit, his friend and manager, reportedly confirmed he died late Tuesday night, August 25, at his Los Angeles home.
There has been no report that Curry was hospitalized before his death, and his representative has not released further details about the circumstances. His family had also not issued an official statement.
BREAKING: Actor Tim Curry dead at 80 after lengthy Hollywood and stage career that included 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and 'Home Alone 2' pic.twitter.com/b1VmqzZRKh
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 26, 2026
Tim Curry's life and legendary career
Curry was born Timothy James Curry on April 19, 1946, in Cheshire, England.
He later studied drama and English at the University of Birmingham before beginning his professional acting career.
He eventually made Los Angeles his home and remained there for decades.
Curry never married and had no children.
Tim Curry made his professional stage debut in London in 1968 with the original West End production of 'Hair'.
Over the decades, he established himself as a versatile performer across theater, movies, television, and voice work, but his defining breakthrough came with his portrayal of Dr Frank-N-Furter in 'The Rocky Horror Show'.
There will never be a more iconic entrance. Tim Curry, you will never be forgotten. 💔 pic.twitter.com/h0aSwmGDhT
— Connor Lounsbury (@ConnorLounsbury) August 26, 2026
He first stepped into the role of the eccentric scientist on the London stage in 1973. Two years later, he brought the character to the big screen in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'.
He later gave audiences nightmares as Pennywise the clown in the 1990 television miniseries 'It'.
His other memorable screen roles included Wadsworth in the dark comedy 'Clue', Rooster Hannigan in 'Annie', and the concierge at New York’s Plaza Hotel in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York'.
Curry continued to make his mark on the stage as well. He received three Tony Award nominations during his career.
His unmistakable voice also made him a sought-after voice actor, with credits including 'Peter Pan & the Pirates', which earned him a Daytime Emmy and numerous other animated projects.
The stroke that changed Tim Curry's career
British actor Tim Curry gives emotional interview about learning to speak again following a stroke.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) October 21, 2025
The ‘Home Alone 2’ actor, who suffered a major stroke in 2012 which made him wheelchair bound ,has revealed he “had to learn how to speak again.”
The actor rose to prominence in… pic.twitter.com/0ZBASKNEKg
Curry’s career changed dramatically in 2012, when he suffered a major stroke at age 66.
In his 2025 memoir 'Vagabond' and interviews promoting the book, Curry described how the stroke left him with lasting paralysis and mobility problems.
He underwent invasive brain surgery after doctors discovered blood clots in his brain and later had to relearn how to speak.
Curry credited his massage therapist with calling an ambulance despite his initial resistance.
His health did not completely remove him from public life.
He made his final public appearance in November 2025 in New York during events marking the 50th anniversary of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', where he reunited with former co-stars and participated in interviews.
