Luke Evans took to Instagram today, August 26, 2026, to share a letter he wrote to Tim Curry just three weeks before the legendary actor passed away.
Sadly, Curry just passed away at the age of 80. While fans around the world have been remembering his incredible career, Evans shared something especially personal following Curry’s passing.
Curry was best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a role that has remained one of his most recognizable performances for decades.
And Evans recently had the opportunity to take on the iconic role himself in the Broadway revival. He played Frank-N-Furter from March through August 2026, making his tribute to Curry even more meaningful.
His Instagram caption was short and simple: “RIP Tim Curry. And thank you x.” But the message he shared alongside that caption was anything but short.
Luke Evans Wrote Tim Curry a Letter Before His Broadway Run Ended
Evans began his Instagram post by explaining that he had written to Curry three weeks before his own run as Frank-N-Furter came to an end.
He wanted to share the letter with his followers following Curry’s death.
“Three weeks ago, I wrote a letter to Tim Curry.
I want to share it with you, 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 more people for the roles he played and the effect he had on so many of us.
There will only be one Tim Curry.
All the rest of us will just have to do our best to emulate some of the magic of that role that I’ve just spent 7 months playing…
Read on…”
Yep, Evans clearly understood just how significant Curry was to the character he had been playing for the better part of 2026.
And it seems like taking on Frank-N-Furter himself only made Evans’ appreciation for Curry’s original performance even stronger.
After all, there are certain roles that become so closely connected to the actors who first played them. For Evans, stepping into Frank meant stepping into a role that Curry had made his own.
His Message to Curry Was Full of Admiration
GettyEvans then shared the full letter he had written to Curry.
“Dear Tim,
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.
Being compared to you has been one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received, even though it’s a comparison no one could ever hope to live up to. There is, and always will be, only one Tim Curry.
I’ve never tried to recreate what you did. That would be impossible. I simply hoped to honour the extraordinary character you brought to life, while finding my own way through him.
As this chapter comes to an end, I just wanted 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.
I hope, wherever you are, you’d approve of one more Frank having the time of his life in those heels.
With enormous admiration,
Luke x”
Honestly, Evans’ words make it clear that this wasn’t about trying to compare himself to Curry. Instead, he wanted to honor the actor who made Frank-N-Furter such an unforgettable character.
Let’s be real, that’s probably one of the most fitting things Evans could have said after spending seven months playing the role. He acknowledged that there could only ever be one Tim Curry, while also explaining that he hoped to bring something of his own to the character.
Luke Evans’ Post Had Photos of Himself & Curry
GettyAlong with the letter, Evans also included photos of Curry as Frank-N-Furter and photos of himself in the role. And honestly, seeing the two together makes the tribute feel even more special.
Curry’s portrayal became a defining part of his career, while Evans recently got the chance to introduce the character to a new generation of Broadway audiences. It seems like Evans understood the responsibility that came with that opportunity. Rather than attempting to recreate Curry’s performance, he approached Frank as an actor taking on a legendary character and tried to make the role his own.
That doesn’t take anything away from Curry’s legacy. If anything, it shows just how much of an impact Curry had on the actors who followed him. Yep, more than 50 years after Curry first brought Frank-N-Furter to the screen, his performance is still inspiring people.
And that is a pretty incredible legacy.
Evans’ letter ultimately serves as a heartfelt thank-you to the man who created a character that continues to entertain audiences decades later.
We don’t know if Curry got a chance to read the letter Evans wrote to him, but the sentiment behind it is clear. His work mattered, his performance mattered, and the influence he had on generations of performers will continue.
For Evans, playing Frank-N-Furter was the end of one Broadway chapter. But through his touching letter, he made sure to acknowledge the actor who started the conversation in the first place.
