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

Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most unforgettable performers. Tim Curry, the legendary actor, singer and stage performer best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pennywise in the television adaptation of Stephen King’s It, has died at the age of 80.

Curry died Tuesday night, August 25, according to TMZ, which first reported the news. Multiple outlets have since reported his death. A cause of death has not been publicly announced, and law enforcement sources told TMZ that no foul play is suspected.

Born April 19, 1946, in England, Curry began his professional career on the stage before becoming an international star across film and television. His breakthrough came when he originated the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show on stage before bringing the character to the big screen in the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The role became the defining performance of Curry's career and turned him into a pop culture icon. Decades later, The Rocky Horror Picture Show remains a beloved midnight movie tradition, with Curry's outrageous, magnetic performance at the center of it all.

Curry also terrified an entirely different generation of viewers as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the 1990 television miniseries It, based on Stephen King's bestselling novel. His portrayal of the sinister clown became one of the most memorable horror performances on television and remains a fan favorite.

His career extended far beyond those two iconic roles. Curry appeared in films including Clue, Annie, Muppet Treasure Island and Legend, while his television credits included Wiseguy, Tales from the Crypt, Earth 2, Psych and numerous other productions. He also returned to the world of Rocky Horror in the 2016 television movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again, this time appearing as the Narrator and Criminologist.

Curry was equally accomplished on stage. His Broadway career included Amadeus, The Pirates of Penzance, My Favorite Year and Spamalot, earning him three Tony Award nominations over the course of his career.

In 2012, Curry suffered a serious stroke that left him partially paralyzed. Despite the challenges that followed, he continued working and remained connected to fans and the entertainment community. In 2025, Curry opened up about his life and career in his memoir Vagabond.

For generations of television, film and theater fans, Tim Curry was impossible to forget. Whether he was commanding the screen as Frank-N-Furter, frightening audiences as Pennywise or bringing his unmistakable voice and personality to another role, Curry had a presence that belonged entirely to him.

His performances crossed genres and generations, creating characters that will continue to live on long after his passing.

Tim Curry was 80 years old.