Tim Curry, ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘It’ Star, Dies at 80

Tim Curry, the English actor recognized for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries version of Stephen King’s “It,” has died at his home in Los Angeles. TMZ was first to report his death, which occurred late Tuesday night; he was 80 years old.

Law enforcement sources told TMZ that police arrived at Curry’s residence at 11:23 p.m. on Tuesday. No foul play is suspected in his death, and no official cause has been released.

• Curry was 80 at the time of his death.
• Police responded to his Los Angeles home at 11:23 p.m. Tuesday.
• He suffered a major stroke in 2012 that required brain surgery and left him unable to walk.
• His memoir “Vagabond,” released in 2025, described the stroke and his condition since.
• His last interview aired on CBS Sunday Morning in October 2025.

What Is Known About Tim Curry’s Cause of Death

As of this writing, authorities have not disclosed a cause of death for Curry. TMZ’s law enforcement sources indicated that foul play has been ruled out, but details beyond the time police were called to his home have not been made public.

Tim Curry’s Health Struggles Since His 2012 Stroke

Curry’s health took a severe turn in 2012 when he suffered a massive stroke that required brain surgery. The stroke left him wheelchair-bound for the remainder of his life, and he stepped back from the acting work that had defined his career for decades.

In his 2025 memoir “Vagabond,” Curry confirmed he still could not walk and recounted the moment the stroke struck while he was receiving a massage. That book arrived roughly a year after he had largely stayed out of public view.

Tim Curry’s Rocky Horror and Pennywise Roles

Curry is most closely associated with Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a role he first performed on the London stage in “The Rocky Horror Show” before reprising it in the 1975 film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which went on to become a cult favorite. He also became the first actor to portray Pennywise the clown when he starred in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s “It.”

Beyond those two signature parts, Curry’s screen credits spanned decades and genres, including “Annie,” “Clue,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” “The Hunt for Red October,” “Muppet Treasure Island,” “Addams Family Reunion,” “Scary Movie 2,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Tales from the Crypt” and “Will & Grace.”

Tim Curry’s Early Career and Awards

Curry’s professional acting career began in the late 1960s when he appeared in the West End staging of “Hair” in 1968, not long after graduating from Birmingham University. It was there that he met Richard O’Brien, who would go on to write “The Rocky Horror Show.”

Across a five-decade career on stage and screen, Curry earned three Tony Award nominations and two Laurence Olivier Award nominations, winning Best Actor in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for “The Pirates of Penzance” in 1982. He also won a Daytime Emmy in 1991 for his voice work on “Peter Pan and the Pirates.”

Tim Curry’s Final Interview

Curry gave what would be his last interview to CBS Sunday Morning in October 2025. Speaking about facing mortality, he said he was not afraid of death: “I want to earn the privilege of not being here… I think I might very well embrace it.”

More Info

• Actor Tim Curry Dead at 80 | tmz.com
• Tim Curry, Rocky Horror Picture Show Star, Dead At 80 | imdb.com
• Command & Conquer And Brutal Legend Star Tim Curry Has Passed Away | thegamer.com
• Tim Curry, star of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, dies at the age of 80 | nme.com
• How Did Tim Curry Die? What We Know About His Cause of Death | closerweekly.com
• ‘Rocky Horror’ Actor Tim Curry Dead at 80 | ksenam.com
• How Did Tim Curry Die? Everything to Know About the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Actor’s Death at 80 | radaronline.com
• ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ star Tim Curry dead at 80, reports TMZ | citizen.co.za