The Rocky Horror Picture Show star Tim Curry has died at age 80 after facing serious health issues for more than a decade. The legendary actor was best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 musical comedy and horror spoof cult classic.
Tim Curry became a cult icon as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in ‘Rocky Horror’
Curry died at his Los Angeles residence on the night of August 25, according to TMZ. Law enforcement sources told the outlet that no foul play is suspected in his death. The British-born actor and singer had faced serious health problems for years after suffering a stroke in 2012.
In his 2025 memoir, Vagabond, Curry recalled that he underwent emergency brain surgery after his stroke. The actor said he was sedated before doctors performed an emergency craniectomy, which was carried out by an “incredible brain surgeon.”
As reported by the New York Post, Curry said, “It turned out that my brain was inflamed enough, or filled with enough blood that bone from my skull had to be removed and implanted into my abdomen to keep my brain, and me, alive. Thankfully the operation was successful (which was by no means guaranteed).”
Curry started his career on the London stage. He appeared in the original West End production of Hair in 1968. During the musical, he met Richard O’Brien. O’Brien later created the iconic role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter for Curry in The Rocky Horror Show in 1973.
Curry also gained recognition for playing the terrifying Pennywise in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King’s It. He later played Mr. Hector in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. He won a Daytime Emmy for his role in the 1991 series Peter Pan and the Pirates. In 2015, the Actors Fund of America honored him with an Artistic Achievement Award.
Originally reported by Meenakshi Sengupta on RealityTea.
