Tim Curry, best known for his role as the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died at the age of 80. His manager confirmed he passed away peacefully at his home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles on August 25, according to BBC.

Celebrated Career and Cult Stardom

Curry’s career spanned six decades, during which he left a lasting mark on both stage and screen. He was born in Warrington, England in 1946 and gained cult stardom after portraying the cross-dressing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He first played the role on stage before the film adaptation brought him widespread recognition. According to BBC, his performance in the film remains iconic and continues to draw millions of views on YouTube.

Curry’s representatives released a statement saying, “Across five decades, he moved fluidly between comedy, horror, drama, and music, delighting himself and his legion of fans with his countless dynamic personas.” They added that “few actors can claim to have left as many distinct fingerprints on pop culture.” Despite suffering a debilitating stroke in 2012, he continued to contribute to his fields of art, recently as a writer.

Heartfelt Tributes from Co-Stars

Susan Sarandon, who played the heroine Janet Weiss in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, praised Curry as “a funny, sexy, original.” She said, “Thank you Tim for meaning so much to so many people.” According to BBC, Australian actress Nell Campbell, who starred alongside Curry in the film, described him as the “head of the Rocky Horror family” and expressed that his death felt like losing a family member.

Welsh actor Luke Evans, who played Frank-N-Furter in a Broadway revival, called Curry “a force, a bright fierce flame, an exquisite charm.” In a letter he recently wrote to Curry, Evans thanked him for his fearlessness and for “creating something so enduring, and for inspiring generations of actors to be a little braver than they thought they could be.” According to BBC, other notable figures like American comedy icon Carol Burnett and US actor Rob Schneider also shared their grief and admiration for Curry’s talents.

Legacy and Personal Tributes

Curry’s representatives highlighted his “curious, expansive mind and generous, gentle heart” as his greatest legacies. According to BBC, he was known for his inimitable, flamboyant characters and colorful stage performances. Despite the stroke in 2012 that left him using a wheelchair, he remained active in his artistic pursuits until his final days. His death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow actors alike, celebrating his enduring impact on pop culture.

Curry’s career also included roles in films like Home Alone 2, Annie, Stephen King’s It, and The Hunt for Red October. His versatility as an actor allowed him to transition cleanly between genres. According to BBC, his manager, Marcia Hurwitz, confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his home.