Tim Curry, a legendary actor best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the iconic and popular movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” has passed away at the age of 80, TMZ reports.
Curry has been dealing with health issues for more than a decade. He ultimately died on the night of Tuesday, Aug. 26. Law enforcement sources further told TMZ that “there is no foul play suspected in the case,” adding that police responded to his house at 11:23 PM Tuesday.
Along with the “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Curry is also known for playing the terrifying clown Pennywise in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” as well as Mr. Hector in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” He also appeared in “Annie,” “Clue,” “The Hunt for Red October,” “Muppet Treasure Island,” “Addams Family Reunion,” and “Scary Movie 2.”
Throughout his incredible career, he received three Tony nominations and an Emmy nod.
Tributes Pour In
“A legendary performer has left the stage. Tim Curry gave generations unforgettable characters, especially Dr. Frank-N-Furter. His legacy in film, TV and theatre will outlive the spotlight. Rest in peace, legend,” one person wrote.
“Hayden, Dolly and now Tim. They really do come in 3’s! 😢,” another person commented.
“Daaamn.. Home Alone 2 won’t feel the same,” a fan posted.
“NOT TIM CURRY TOO💔💔💔 WHAT IS HAPPENING!!!!!!,” another fan stated.
“Rocky horror, it, home alone 2 ughhh not tim 😢,” one fan said.
Tim Curry’s Health Battles
In 2012, Curry suffered a major stroke and he has had to use a wheelchair every since.
“I still can’t walk, which is why I’m in this silly chair, and that’s very limiting. So I won’t be singing, and I won’t be dancing very soon. I still have real problems with my left leg,” Curry said during a 2025 appearance at a special screening of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for the 50th anniversary at L.A.’s Academy Museum.
He also detailed what he was doing when he suffered the stroke.
“I was having a massage at the time and I didn’t even actually notice anything, but the guy who was doing the massage said, ‘I’m worried about you, I want to call an ambulance.’ And he did, and I said, ‘That’s so silly,’” Curry recalled.
In October 2025, Curry released a memoir, Vagabond, in which he talked about his incredible career as well as the stroke that almost took his life.
“It’s a curious experience,” he told the New York Times. “I didn’t know it was happening at the time. They told me at the hospital and operated on my brain and removed, I think, two blood clots, which is a sort of grim picture. I found that very difficult to cope with as an image. There’s a German play called ‘Danton’s Death,’ where he says, ‘If you cut off the top of my head and paddled around in my brains, you would never know me.’ And it felt like somebody had paddled around in my brain.”
Wow, RIP! Another awesome actor passed away. You we’re a damn good actor 😍.