Video Game Icon Tim Curry Dies at at 80

August 27, 2026 - 04:04

Tim Curry, the English actor whose gleeful, larger-than-life performances turned villains into icons, has died. He was 80. The actor passed away peacefully at his home in London on Monday, surrounded by family, according to a statement released by his publicist. No cause of death was given, but Curry had been in declining health since suffering a severe stroke in 2012.

Curry was a rare breed of performer: one who understood that the best way to sell a monster is to let him enjoy himself. He burst onto the scene in 1973 as the cross-dressing, sadistic Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." With his fishnets, crimson lipstick, and a voice that could purr or snarl on command, he turned a low-budget musical into a global phenomenon. The role made him a midnight-movie god, and he never looked back.

But Curry was not content to be typecast. He proved his range with a string of unforgettable characters. He was the gleefully wicked Pennywise in the 1990 TV miniseries "It," turning a clown into a genuine nightmare for a generation. He was the slimy, scheming Long John Silver in "Muppet Treasure Island," and the hilariously pompous Dr. Poole in "Clue." He even lent his unmistakable voice to animated classics like "The Wild Thornberrys" and "Scooby-Doo."

Off-screen, Curry was known for his warmth and a sharp wit that never dulled, even after his stroke forced him to retire from acting. He remained a beloved figure to fans who grew up watching him chew scenery with reckless abandon. He is survived by his sister, and by a legacy of performances that proved the best way to be scary is to be a little bit silly.