British actor Tim Curry, one of the most distinctive and versatile performers of his generation, has died at the age of 80. Curry died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, after a prolonged period of ill health. His manager confirmed his death, while the exact cause has not been publicly disclosed.
Curry’s career spanned more than five decades across film, television, theater, voice acting and music. He became an international cultural icon after portraying Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), a performance that helped transform the film into one of cinema’s most enduring cult classics.
His memorable performances extended far beyond Rocky Horror. Curry terrified an entire generation as Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 television miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s It. He also appeared in films including Clue, Annie, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Three Musketeers, Muppet Treasure Island and Charlie’s Angels.
Curry was equally accomplished on stage. He received three Tony Award nominations, including for his performances in Amadeus, My Favorite Year and Monty Python’s Spamalot. His powerful baritone also made him a sought-after voice performer, and he won a Daytime Emmy Award for his work as Captain Hook in Peter Pan & the Pirates.
In 2012, Curry suffered a serious stroke that left him partially paralyzed and significantly affected his mobility. Despite those challenges, he continued making appearances and working in entertainment, including returning to the Rocky Horror world and appearing in the 2024 horror film Stream. He also published his memoir, Vagabond, in 2025.
News of Curry’s death has prompted tributes from fans and colleagues who remember him for his extraordinary range, distinctive voice, theatrical personality and willingness to embrace unconventional characters.
From Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Pennywise to Wadsworth in Clue and countless stage and animated characters, Curry created performances that became deeply embedded in popular culture.
Tim Curry leaves behind an extraordinary body of work and a legacy that will continue to influence and entertain audiences for generations.
