Tim Curry Passes Away at 80 After a Legendary Film Career [WATCH]

Tim Curry, the legendary actor and singer known for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “It,” has died at age 80. He died late Tuesday night at his Los Angeles home, and his cause of death has not been revealed, as reported by the New York Post.

Fire department crews were called to Curry’s home at 10:42 p.m. local time because of a medical event. An LAFD spokesperson told The Post that crews found a deceased male at the scene.

Police responded at 11:23 p.m. “for a radio call of a death investigation for a subject described as an 80-year-old male,” the Los Angeles Police Department told Page Six. The department added that a death investigation report was completed.

Nobody, and I mean absolutely nobody, could’ve played a better Pennywise in It than Tim Curry. Rest in peace to another legend. This has been a terrible week. pic.twitter.com/d2VEQAJrC9

— Dom DiTommaso (@DomDiTommaso) August 26, 2026

Curry’s representative, Sean Katz, confirmed the news to USA Today and said the actor “passed away peacefully.”

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“Though widely known for his inimitable, flamboyant characters and colorful stage performances, his greatest legacies to those who knew him were his curious, expansive mind and generous, gentle heart, both of which remained open and filled with anticipation until his final breath,” Katz said.

The British born performer had faced serious health problems for years after suffering a stroke during a massage in 2012. Curry needed brain surgery and was left using a wheelchair.

His condition restricted him to a handful of roles, largely involving voice acting, during the final decade of his life. Famously private, Curry never married and had no children.

Curry began his acting career in London theater and joined the original West End cast of the musical “Hair” in 1968. There, he met Richard O’Brien, who went on to create Curry’s iconic role in “The Rocky Horror Show” in 1973.

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The surprise cult success later transferred to Broadway. It was adapted for the big screen in 1975 with a young Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick.

Although the movie initially flopped, the campy classic eventually attracted a devoted audience. Fans often dressed as their favorite characters and sang along with songs including “Time Warp” and “Sweet Transvestite.”

Curry established a career portraying memorable villains, including the evil clown Pennywise in a two part ABC adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” in 1990.

For the performance, he dropped his trademark British brogue and adopted a raspy American accent.

He also played the concierge in “Home Alone 2” and appeared in “Addams Family Reunion,” “Annie,” “Clue,” “Muppet Treasure Island,” “Scary Movie 2” and “The Hunt for Red October.”

Saddened to read Tim Curry passed. Loved him in every role. RHPS is a personal fave pic.twitter.com/tkg029k83C

— Rolo @ntvntv.bsky.social (@ntvntv) August 26, 2026

Curry received a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991 for playing Captain Hook in “Peter Pan and the Pirates.” The Actors Fund also presented him with an Artistic Achievement Award in 2015.

He earned three Tony Award nominations during his career. Those nominations came for “Amadeus” in 1981, “My Favorite Year” in 1993, and “Spamalot” in 2005.

During a 1997 appearance on “The View,” Curry addressed his tendency to be cast as villains. “I think it happens to a lot of European actors, particularly if you’ve never established yourself as a romantic leading man,” he said.

“The fact is, though, the bad guys are always much better written than the good guys, and they’re kind of irresistible to play,” Curry added.

In October 2020, Curry reprised his role from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” for a live table reading that raised money for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.

His final live-action role came in 2024’s “Stream,” in which he played a man wearing a plague doctor mask and using a wheelchair.

Curry’s memoir, “Vagabond,” was published in 2025. Following his death, friend and fellow “Clue” actor Michael McKean remembered his final encounter with Curry.

“My last conversation with Tim Curry was about life and love and laughter. The grim physical state he found himself in has now ended, a blessing.

“Our blessing was that we had Tim Curry in our lives. RIP, my friend,” McKean wrote on X.

My last conversation with Tim Curry was about life and love and laughter. The grim physical state he found himself in has now ended, a blessing. Our blessing was that we had Tim Curry in our lives. RIP, my friend.

— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) August 26, 2026

Carol Burnett, who appeared with Curry in 1982’s “Annie,” also honored him in an Instagram post Wednesday.

She called him “a dear friend,” remembered their “wonderful time working together,” and praised his unmatched ability to portray “lovable villains.”

Tim Curry with Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters singing Easy Street in Annie.

Happy 77th Birthday, Tim Curry.

(April 19, 1946) pic.twitter.com/3fC0zSWzlp

— Jermaine Watkins (@JermaineWatkins) April 19, 2023

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