Tim Curry, the acclaimed actor best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” has died at 80.
Curry died late Tuesday night at his Los Angeles home after dealing with serious health problems for more than a decade, according to TMZ.
Law enforcement sources said officers responded to his home shortly after 11 p.m., and foul play was not suspected.
The Los Angeles Fire Department had been called earlier in the evening for a medical emergency. Curry was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report.
Curry began his career in the late 1960s before landing the role that would define much of his career. His performance as the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter helped turn “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” into a cult phenomenon.
The film was initially met with little critical attention but developed a devoted following through midnight screenings. Curry’s performance became one of the most recognizable elements of the movie and helped establish him as a distinctive presence on screen and stage.
Curry also became known for portraying Pennywise the clown in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s “It.”
He appeared in a wide range of other productions, including “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” “Annie,” “Clue,” “The Hunt for Red October,” “Muppet Treasure Island,” “Addams Family Reunion” and “Scary Movie 2.”
His career extended well beyond film and television.
Curry was a respected theater performer who received three Tony Award nominations and an Emmy nomination during a career that lasted roughly five decades.
His health began limiting his work after he suffered a massive stroke in 2012. The stroke required brain surgery and left Curry facing significant physical challenges.
Around the release of his memoir, “Vagabond,” last year, Curry said he remained unable to walk. Despite those limitations, he continued to be celebrated for a body of work that crossed film, television and theater.
From Dr. Frank-N-Furter to Pennywise, Curry created characters that became enduring parts of popular culture. He was 80.