British actor Tim Curry, best known for his role in ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ died of coronary artery disease at the age of 80, his spokesman confirmed to the BBC. The actor passed away in his Los Angeles home on 25 August, as reported by the BBC.

Contributing Health Conditions

In addition to coronary artery disease, Curry had a history of stroke and kidney cancer, which were significant conditions that contributed to his death, according to his spokesman, who cited a death certificate filed in Los Angeles County. These health challenges had a lasting impact on the actor’s life and career.

Hollywood Tributes and Personal Reflections

Stars of stage and screen paid tribute to the actor, who gained fame as the lingerie-clad Dr Frank-N-Furter in the cult 1975 film ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show.’ After a near-fatal stroke in 2012, Curry used a wheelchair and shifted his focus to voice acting exclusively. He expressed gratitude that the stroke resulted in paralysis rather than taking away his ability to speak.

Curry continued to appear at film conventions and published his memoir, ‘Vagabond,’ last year, in which he opened up about the medical incident and his prolonged recovery. ‘If there was anything impressed upon me in the aftermath, it was just how remarkable it was that I was still alive,’ Curry said, according to People magazine.

Career and Legacy

In a tribute last week, Michael McKean, Curry’s co-star in the 1985 comedy whodunit ‘Clue,’ said that the ailing actor had been in a ‘grim physical state.’ ‘Even wheelchair bound, he continued to be so sweet and generous with his fans,’ wrote his Rocky Horror co-star Susan Sarandon, who described Curry as a ‘funny, sexy, original.’

Born in the north-western English town of Warrington in 1946, Curry landed his first acting job after university, appearing in the 1968 London production of the rock musical ‘Hair.’ His castmate Richard O’Brien asked him to audition for his new musical, ‘The Rocky Horror Show,’ the iconic 1973 role in which Curry uttered the line ‘don’t dream it, be it.’

His on-screen roles include playing the sadistic clown Pennywise in the 1990 TV version of Stephen King’s ‘It,’ King Arthur in the stage production of ‘Spamalot,’ Rooster in the 1982 musical film ‘Annie,’ and appearances in ‘Home Alone 2,’ ‘The Hunt For Red October,’ and ‘Scary Movie 2.’