Tim Curry, the acclaimed character actor celebrated for his brilliant, delightfully eccentric portrayals of rogues and villains across stage and screen—most notably Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the overly suspicious hotel concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York—has died at age 80.
Curry passed away Tuesday night at his residence in Los Angeles, confirmed by his longtime representative and friend Marcia Hurwitz. A specific cause of death was not released. The actor had used a wheelchair since experiencing a major stroke in 2012.
Renowned for his sharp wit, remarkably expressive face, and exceptional vocal range, Curry earned three Tony Award nominations throughout his distinguished career for his roles in Spamalot, My Favorite Year, and Amadeus, along with a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1994.
“I like playing the more curious corners of the human mind and human behavior, partly because they’re a tad more interesting,” Curry remarked to The Associated Press during a 1993 interview.
He initially achieved international fame playing the cross-dressing Transylvanian scientist Frank-N-Furter in the sci-fi rock musical The Rocky Horror Show, which debuted at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 1973.
After taking the production to Broadway, Curry reprised the iconic role in the 1975 film adaptation alongside Susan Sarandon, Meat Loaf, and Barry Bostwick, helping turn the movie into a enduring cult classic.