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Tim Curry, 79, Makes Rare Outing at 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' 50th Anniversary Celebration
Stars are remembering the actor who taught them not to dream it, but to be it.
After Tim Curry, an English star known for his iconic roles as Frank-N-Furter in 1975’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and Pennywise in the 1990 limited series It died Aug. 26 at 80, many stars shared the impact the beloved actor had on them.
"We had such a wonderful time working together on Annie," Carol Burnett, who starred alongside Curry in the 1982 film, wrote in an Aug. 26 Instagram post. "Nobody could play lovable villains better than he could. He was a dear friend. I was blessed to know him."
Meanwhile, Rosie O'Donnell added in her own tribute on Instagram, "Sweetest man."
In his final years, Curry maintained an extremely low profile after suffering a stroke in 2012. The Home Alone 2 alum’s last on-screen performance was in Stream (2024) and made his last public appearance at the Rocky Horror 50th anniversary celebration in September.
At the time, Curry emphasized the impact his role as scientist Frank-N-Further had not only on him, but the many fans of the cult classic musical film.
“I think the message of the film—don’t dream it, be it—is very important,” he said on stage. “One of the things that the movie does, I think, is give anyone permission to behave as badly as they really want, in whatever way and with whom. And I’m proud of that.”
Indeed, Curry emphasized that the film resonating so much with the LGBTQ+ community “means a lot.”
But while he made quite the impact on celebrities and fans alike, his fame and notoriety was the Congo star’s least favorite part of the job.
“I didn’t like it much,” Curry said in an interview with CBS Mornings in October. “I never really know what they expect. You can’t tell.”
Michael Tran/FilmMagic
And for the Clue alum, it was essential that he kept his personal life as private as possible.
“I think it’s important,” he added to the outlet, “I encourage it. I think it’s lucky because it means that you don’t have to come out of the same door every time, which I very much don’t want to do. And bring some kind of particular thing with you.”
As he put of his own enigma, “If I do have that, I’m very happy.”
For more stars who have shared tributes for Curry, keep reading...
Barry BrecheisenWireImage
Rob Schneider
"Gutted," Schneider, who starred alongside Curry in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, wrote in an Aug. 26 post on X. "The sensational character actor, Tim Curry has left the stage. A truly gifted performer of stage and screen, his one eyebrow could say more than most actors entire bodies. I am grateful to have the rare gift of watching him work, he made you better just standing near him."
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Rosie O'Donnell
Alongside a photo of Curry, the comedian wrote in an Aug. 26 Instagram post, "Sweetest man."
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Carol Burnett
"We had such a wonderful time working together on Annie," Burnett wrote in an Instagram post Aug. 26. "Nobody could play lovable villains better than he could. He was a dear friend. I was blessed to know him."
Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock
Guillermo del Toro
The Shape of Water director shared the news of Curry's death to X, adding, "Goodnight Sweet Myth..."
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Lesley Ann Walter
"My dear companion in crime, the brilliant, hilarious, hysterically funny , magician of artistry has left us," Walter, who costarred in Clue alongside Curry, wrote in an Instagram post Aug. 26. "What an unbelievable joy to have shared a sound stage with him and to engage with such a master talent.
I adored him. Bless his wild and inspired soul. Love you Tim."
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Christopher Lloyd
The Back to the Future alum commemorated his Clue costar by sharing a photo of Curry from set along with a broken heart emoji on Instagram.
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Luke Evans
Evans, who played Curry's iconic role of Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Broadway, shared an emotional tribute to Instagram, writing, "He was a bright fierce flame, an exquisite charm and that rich vocal tone, he was an inspiration to me and so many more people for the roles he played and the effect he had on so many of us."
Dominik Bindl/FilmMagic
Kevin McHale
The star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Broadway shared the news to his Instagram Story with a broken heart emoji. Later, he nodded to Curry and Dolly Parton's death coinciding in a post on X, writing, "If you are 80 and an icon, stay safe. This is hell."
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Michael McKean
"My last conversation with Tim Curry was about life and love and laughter," McKean, who costarred in Clue with Curry, wrote in an Aug. 26 post on X. "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."
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