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Tim Curry, star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Home Alone 2, dies aged 80
Tim Curry, who was born in Cheshire, England, had a hand in shaping some of the most prolific films and musicals put to stage and screen. Curry began his career on the West End production of Hair before getting his breakout role as the now cult classic character of Frank-n-Furter in 1973’s film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
In his long-standing career the English actor played memorable characters such as Pennywise in the original adaptation of IT (1990), Wadsworth in Clue (1985), and Darkness in Legend (1985). More than just his most famous roles, Curry has also been a staple in the lives and childhoods of so many generations of people.
Even in roles where his character was not even named, Curry stole the scene - heck, who can think of Home Alone 2 without imagining him as the posh Concierge of the Plaza Hotel.
In truth, Curry defined what it was to be an actor, and it's very possible we will never see
another like him, someone who could so naturally make even the smallest character on
screen distinct. If you’re like me and grew up watching 1982’s Annie, you can automatically
think of the sounds effects he made and his mannerisms and facial expressions. Watching
him as a young girl, it felt like watching a crazy book character brought to life, with all of the
charisma and theatrics never patted down for the big screen.
Without him, who knows if local theaters would still be putting on midnight interactive productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show today?
Curry had an incredible ability to make his characters memorable in ways other actors and
performers wouldn’t even think of. It’s what has made characters such as Frank-n-Furter
so iconic and legendary to so many people and communities of performers. Without him, who knows if local theaters would still be putting on midnight interactive productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show today?
Many people might not even realize just how prevalent he was amongst the movies they grew up with, but if they heard his voice, they’d certainly remember. Not only was Curry a staple among live action films and on-stage productions, but he also made a name for himself as one of the most legendary voice actors to ever live.
When I was younger, my favorite movie of all time was Barbie and the Three Musketeers- I
must have watched it at least a hundred times as a kid and yet it was only in my late teens
that I found out it was Tim Curry who voiced the main villain, Philippe. Though a seemingly
small role in the grand opera of his career, this character and many other animated roles
within children’s movies has made his voice recognizable to generations.
In the wake of his death, it’s easy to look at his long list of accolades and only focus on the
unfairness of his passing. Instead, it’s best to look at these as examples of what he’s left
behind that will continue to shape future generations of artists, actors, and regular
everyday people.
"I don’t fear death. I try to avoid it as I think we all do, but I suspect that in the end I will welcome it."
Curry himself responded to a question on if he feared death in an interview last year with
CBS saying, “No, I’m not. I don’t fear death. I try to avoid it as I think we all do, but I suspect that in the end I will welcome it.” He then went onto say, “I think it might be very comforting
to go bye-bye. And I want to earn it... I want to earn the privilege of not being here.”
To put it simply, Tim Curry is a man who has not just earned the privilege of not being here,
but who has also earned the privilege of being remembered. May he rest in peace.