Tim Curry
A British actor of unforgettable presence. Originator of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the clown Pennywise in It.
Obituary of Tim Curry
Tim Curry, the British actor of magnetic presence who brought to life some of the most memorable characters in film and television, died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, his longtime manager Marcia Hurwitz confirmed. He passed away peacefully at his home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles.
First celebrated on the London stage, he originated the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show before bringing the character to the screen in the cult 1975 adaptation. He had lived since 2012 with the aftermath of a major stroke.
An inimitable performer
A master of flamboyant villains and larger-than-life characters, Tim Curry marked generations of viewers: Pennywise the clown in the Stephen King miniseries It, Wadsworth in Clue, Darkness in Legend and the Concierge of Home Alone 2.
Blessed with an inimitable voice, he built a parallel career in voice acting, from Sir Nigel Thornberry to Chancellor Palpatine. A three-time Tony Award nominee, he kept working after his 2012 stroke and published his memoir, Vagabond, in 2025.
Career
Profession, key milestones and achievements.
Profession
Stage, film and television actor
Also
Singer and voice actor
Active years
1968 to 2025
Honors
Three Tony nominations, one Daytime Emmy
- 1946
Born on April 19 in Grappenhall, Cheshire, England.
- 1968
West End debut in the original production of Hair.
- 1973
Originates Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show.
- 1975
Reprises Frank-N-Furter on screen in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- 1985
Two standout roles: Darkness in Legend and Wadsworth in Clue.
- 1990
Plays Pennywise in the miniseries It.
- 1992
The Concierge in Home Alone 2.
- 2005
King Arthur in Spamalot on Broadway.
- 2012
Suffers a major stroke; he uses a wheelchair thereafter.
- 2026
Dies at the age of 80 in Los Angeles.
Notable works
His most notable roles on stage, on screen and in voice acting.
Notable roles
A selection of notable works by medium.
Film
| 1975 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Dr. Frank-N-Furter |
| 1985 | Clue | Wadsworth |
| 1985 | Legend | Darkness |
| 1992 | Home Alone 2: Lost in New York | The Concierge |
| 1996 | Muppet Treasure Island | Long John Silver |
Television
| 1990 | It | Pennywise |
Voice acting
| 1992 | FernGully: The Last Rainforest | Hexxus |
| 1998 | The Wild Thornberrys | Sir Nigel Thornberry |
| 2012 | Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Chancellor Palpatine |
Stage
| 1973 | The Rocky Horror Show | Dr. Frank-N-Furter |
| 1980 | Amadeus | Mozart |
| 2005 | Spamalot | King Arthur |
Guestbook
Share a memory or a word of comfort with the family.
Frequently asked questions
When did Tim Curry die?
Tim Curry died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, at his home in Los Angeles.
What roles was he known for?
Chiefly Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pennywise in the miniseries It, as well as Wadsworth in Clue.
How old was Tim Curry?
He was 80 years old; he was born on April 19, 1946.
What did he die of?
No official cause was made public. He had lived since 2012 with the aftermath of a major stroke.
Was he married?
No. Tim Curry never married and had no children.
Sources & references
Information verified against public sources.
