Throughout his entire career, Tim Curry delivered performances with grit and charm. His work in the horror space features all-time roles anyone would kill to play. Most notably, he transformed into Dr. Frank-N-Furter in 1975’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and the 1990 TV miniseries “It.” Believe it or not, he worked in horror films until he was 78, two years before his tragic death in 2026.
In 2024, Curry starred in a small role in an underrated slasher film that riffs on iconic meta-slashers such as “Scream” and “Student Bodies.” Even with limited screen time, he knew how to make the most out of his role, often stealing the scene from the main characters.
Tim Curry in ‘Stream’
Tim Curry plays the mysterious and menacing Lockwood in Michael Leavy’s “Stream,” which boasts a heavyweight horror cast that includes Danielle Harris (“Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers”), Felissa Rose (“Sleepaway Camp”), Dee Wallace (“Cujo”), Tony Todd (“Candyman”), Mark Holton (“Leprechaun”) and David Howard Thorton (Art the Clown in the “Terrifier” franchise).
Lockwood is the name given to the current puppet master behind intricate murders. In the film, Jeffrey Combs (“The Frighteners,” “Re-Animator”) and Todd portray various iterations of the same character. The story follows a family who take a vacation to an amusement park, but they come under attack in their hotel when four masked killers begin wandering the halls. Lockwood is the man behind the curtain, so to speak. “I wish nothing but success with ‘Stream,'” Curry said in a promo ahead of the film’s theatrical run.
“Stream” is now streaming for free on Xumo.
Director Statement on Curry’s Death
Michael Leavy shared a tribute on Instagram to the late, great actor, noting Curry’s immense influence on his own filmmaking style and approach. “He was someone I dreamed of working with for years, and having that dream become a reality was truly surreal and such a privilege,” he captioned a behind-the-scenes photo of him with Curry. “Tim was a true cultural icon. Having the opportunity to know and collaborate with him only deepened my admiration for this legend. Even after his stroke, Tim maintained that unmistakable sense of humor, wit, warmth, and charm that made him so uniquely genuine.”
He went on to note his “absolute shock” over the news, writing, “His loss is profound, not only for those who knew and loved him, but for the entire entertainment industry and the generations of fans whose lives he touched through his extraordinary work.”
Leavy added that “if there’s one thing we can all take from Tim and the way he lived his life, it’s to enjoy every moment, embrace life, and live it to the fullest, no matter what—and Tim Curry certainly did just that. May he rest in the sweetest peace.”
Leavy also mentioned that he worked closely with Tim Curry and his team on “Stream 2: Sudden Death.” However, IMDB currently labels the film as in pre-production. It is unclear what level of involvement that entails.
