By Devyn Briones
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Tim Curry, the British actor known for his most memorable roles in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “It” and “Clue,” died from coronary artery disease in his Toluca Lake, Los Angeles home on Aug. 25, at the age of 80.
In 2012, Curry suffered from a serious stroke, leaving him with paralysis on the left side of his body. This made it difficult for him to walk and speak. He spent many years recovering through speech and physical therapy, but eventually began using a wheelchair. Although he died from coronary artery disease, he also had a history of stroke and kidney cancer listed as contributors towards his death.
Curry had been building his career for over five decades. He was a film star, stage actor, singer and voice performer whose broad range allowed him to jump from different roles and genres. He’s performed in Shakespearean dramas, musical comedies and as an infamous creepy clown.
Born Timothy James Curry on April 19, 1946, in Cheshire, England, Curry spent much of his childhood traveling. At just six months old, he was living in Hong Kong with his family.
His father, Jim Curry, was a Methodist Naval Chaplain, and his mother, Maura Curry, came from a family of seafarers. After his father suffered a stroke, the family moved to Plymouth to live with Maura’s father. In 1958, Jim died from another stroke and pneumonia.
Curry first discovered acting at school. After his father’s passing, he was awarded a scholarship to Kingswood School in Bath after attending its preparatory school, Prior’s Court. Prior’s Court is where Curry’s acting journey began. He acted in school plays and continued while enrolled at Kingswood. Tim then went on to attend Birmingham University studying Drama and English from 1965 to 1986.
Curry’s first professional acting job after university was a musical called “Hair” at the Shaftesbury theatre in 1968. He then went on to perform in Royal Shakespeare Company, the Glasgow Citizens Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre, the West End and smaller television shows.
His first big hit was “The Rocky Horror Show,” the original 1973 live stage musical. Curry played the character Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a “flamboyant, pansexual” mad scientist. The musical set off his career, as it brought him to Los Angeles, where he performed at The Roxy on Sunset Strip. The Los Angeles production would then create the movie that would change his life: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Similar to the musical, the 1975 version was adapted by the live musical into a film. Now, five decades later, this film remains a cult classic.
Although the musical was a hit for some, it wasn’t for all, especially on Broadway. In 1975, Curry returned to the stage for “The Rocky Horror Show” at New York’s Belasco Theatre. Not everyone was a fan, as some people strongly disliked its style as it didn’t fit what was seen as traditional for the time. The show stopped running after 45 performances.
This didn’t keep Curry down. He later moved on to “Travesties,” and “Amadeus.” “Amadeus,” “My Favorite Year” and “Spamalot” all earned him Tony Award nominations. Curry is also featured in the fantasy film “Legend,” “Clue” and one of his most popular films, “It” as Pennywise the Clown.
Even behind the screens, Curry’s voice was still used for cartoons. He voiced Nigel Thornberry in “The Wild Thornberrys,” and Captain Hook in “Peter Pan and the Pirates,” which also won him an Emmy. He is also in many audiobooks and video games.
As Dr. Frank-N-Furter sings, “Don’t dream it, be it.”
