Tim Curry, the acclaimed British actor and singer best known for his unforgettable performances in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, It and Clue, has died at the age of 80.
Curry died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles, according to his longtime manager and friend, Marcia Hurwitz. Reports say he died peacefully following a period of ill health.
A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. His death was announced on Wednesday, August 26, prompting an immediate outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and members of the entertainment industry.
Born on April 19, 1946, in Cheshire, England, Curry built a career spanning stage, film, television, music and voice acting. He rose to international fame as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a role he first played on stage before reprising it in the landmark 1975 film.
He later became known to a new generation for playing Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It. His other memorable credits included Clue, Annie, Legend, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Muppet Treasure Island.
Curry also enjoyed an accomplished theater career, earning three Tony Award nominations for his performances in Amadeus, My Favorite Year and Spamalot. His work as a voice actor earned him a Daytime Emmy Award for Peter Pan & the Pirates.
His later years were affected by a serious stroke in 2012 that left him with lasting mobility problems and requiring a wheelchair. Despite those challenges, Curry continued working, particularly in voice acting, and remained connected with fans and the entertainment community.
Curry’s death marks the passing of one of the most distinctive performers of his generation. His flamboyant portrayal of Frank-N-Furter became inseparable from the enduring cultural legacy of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, while his performances as villains and eccentric characters demonstrated his remarkable versatility.
As tributes continue to emerge, fans are remembering Curry for the distinctive voice, theatrical presence and fearless performances that made him a lasting figure in popular culture.
Tim Curry died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. His cause of death has not been announced publicly.
