Luke Evans and Richard O’Brien were among the many friends and fans paying tribute to Tim Curry as the news broke of the charismatic stage and screen star’s death at the age of 80. The actor will forever be associated with his magnetic performance as Frank ‘N’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show (1973-1975) and the 1975 cult classic film adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
The news was announced by his long-time friend and manager Marcia Hurwitz. No cause of death was given, but the star had battled several health conditions after he suffered a major stroke in 2012.
In response to the sad news, Broadway’s most recent Frank ‘N’ Furter, Luke Evans, penned his own tribute on Instagram, writing: ‘There will only be one Tim Curry. He was a force, a bright fierce flame, an exquisite charm and that rich vocal tone, he was an inspiration to me and so many people for the roles he played and the effect he had on so many of us.”
The Welsh star went on to reveal a section of a letter he sent to Curry as Evans entered his final weeks in the current Broadway production: “With only three weeks left, before I finally hang up the fishnets and heels, I wanted to send you a note. Although we’ve never met, you’ve been part of this journey from the very beginning. Every actor who puts on Frank inevitably walks into a conversation that started with you, and I’ve felt that every single night… I just want to say thank you. For your fearless performance, for creating something so enduring, and for inspiring generations of actors to be a little braver than they thought they could be.”
Speaking to a newspaper in his homeland of New Zealand where he now lives, Rocky Horror’s creator Richard O’Brien said: “It is with an exceptionally sad heart and misted-up eyes that I share these words with you. Tim Curry was a wonderful man by nature who was also a wonderful performer and understood the difference between such delightful achievements.
“He never sought attention and never put himself before the roles that he played. He was, in short, a good egg and class act. It was both a privilege and delight to have known him and worked with him. Rest in peace dear Tim.”
Susan Sarandon was among many of his former Rocky Horror co-stars to honour the actor. Posting a picture of the two together, she wrote: “What a funny, sexy, original he was. But what I loved about him most was his heart. Even wheelchair bound he continued to be so sweet and generous with his fans. Thank you Tim for meaning so much to so many people. Love you, S.”
While Rocky Horror will be forever associated with Curry, the actor and singer was so much more than one single role. Born in Cheshire in 1948, Curry began his stage career in the London cast of Hair in 1968.
He had built up a strong body of work on the London stage before Rocky Horror launched him on the road to stage and screen stardom. He earned a Tony nomination for his performance as Mozart in the 1981 Broadway production of Amadeus and an Olivier nomination for his swashbuckling performance as the Pirate King in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance in the West End in 1982. He also won acclaim for his role as the first King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot in London and New York.
The most versatile of actors, Curry’s screen catalogue alone took in dramatic roles in thrillers including The Hunt for Red October and blockbuster comedies such as Home Alone 2, Lethal Weapon spoof Loaded Weapon 1, the film version of the board game Cluedo, Clue and as Carol Burnett’s conman brother Rooster in the first big screen version of Annie.
His portrayal of Pennywise the clown in the 1990s mini-series adaptation of Stephen King’s IT remains the stuff of nightmares while his scene-stealing Long John Silver in the Muppet Treasure Island is a delight.
Alongside a picture of the movie, the Muppets’ official Instagram account posted their own tribute to the star, writing: “Few humans have earned the title of honorary Muppet more than the legendary Tim Curry. As a performer he was unparalleled – witty, charming, unnerving, and deeply funny. We will always consider it one of our greatest treasures to have been part of Long John Silver’s crew. Thank you for everything, Tim.”
In a poignant farewell Curry’s Clue co-star and friend Michael McKean wrote on X: “My last conversation with Tim Curry was about life and love and laughter. The grim physical state he found himself in has now ended, a blessing. Our blessing was that we had Tim Curry in our lives. RIP, my friend.”
Angela Thomas
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