Tim Curry Opens Up About Career Regret Over Missing Chance at Iconic Oscar-Winning Role

For an actor whose career spans more than five decades, Tim Curry has little left to prove. His performances have become cultural touchstones, etched into the memories of generations of moviegoers. Still, the…

Andrew PowellFeb 9, 20263 min read

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as Lecter and Jodie Foster as Starling and quickly became a cultural phenomenon.

The movie went on to gross more than $270 million worldwide and earned five Academy Awards, including best picture, best actor for Hopkins and best actress for Foster. Hopkins later reprised the role in the films “Hannibal” and “Red Dragon.”

Hopkins has previously shared that he initially underestimated the project. While performing in London in 1989, he received the script from his agent and quickly changed his mind after reading it.

“This is the best script I’ve ever read,” Hopkins said at the time.

Director Jonathan Demme later revealed that Sean Connery was his first choice to play Lecter, but the actor turned it down.

“Word came back shortly that he thought it was disgusting and wouldn’t dream of playing that part,” Demme recalled. “So, great, now we can go to Tony Hopkins.”

Demme said his confidence in Hopkins stemmed from the actor’s performance in “The Elephant Man.”

“He had been as believable a doctor as you can imagine,” Demme said. “What if you cast Anthony Hopkins in the part of Dr. Lecter, who is not the worst doctor, but he’s a… good doctor turned bad?”

Despite missing out on Lecter, Curry’s career remains filled with memorable roles. He achieved cult status as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” terrified viewers as Pennywise in the television miniseries “It,” and delivered comedic performances in films like “Clue.”

Curry also recalled auditioning for the role of Marv in “Home Alone” after being approached by director Chris Columbus.

“I actually met Chris Columbus, who apparently had the only two albums of mine and was a bit of a fan. Nobody else had ever bought them,” Curry joked.

Although Daniel Stern ultimately landed the part, Curry later appeared in “Home Alone 2” as the Plaza Hotel concierge. He also fondly remembered working with Macaulay Culkin.

“Mac used to stay up watching late-night movies and fall asleep in the makeup chair,” Curry said. “I liked him. He was a very nice kid.”

Even with a long list of beloved performances, Curry made clear that some roles — especially the ones never auditioned for — still leave a lasting mark.

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