Tim Curry Dies at 80: Top 10 Best Movies That Defined His Career

Tim Curry, the British actor whose career produced some of cinema’s most recognisable villains, eccentric characters and cult performances, has died at 80.

Curry died at his Los Angeles home on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, with his death reported by TMZ and further covered by multiple outlets. He was best known for playing Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It.

But reducing Curry’s career to just those two roles would overlook the remarkable range he displayed across film, television, theatre and voice acting.

From flamboyant musical characters to terrifying villains and hilarious supporting performances, here are the top 10 movies that helped make Tim Curry unforgettable.

1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

For millions of fans, The Rocky Horror Picture Show will always be synonymous with Tim Curry.

Curry played Dr Frank-N-Furter, an eccentric scientist at the centre of the cult musical, in the 1975 film adaptation. The performance became his defining screen role and established the movie as one of cinema’s most enduring cult classics.

2. Annie (1982)

Curry took on a different character in Annie, playing Rooster Hannigan, the scheming brother of Miss Hannigan.

His theatrical energy suited the larger-than-life character and showed that his talents extended beyond the flamboyant persona audiences had seen in Rocky Horror.

3. Clue (1985)

In Clue, Curry played Wadsworth, the fast-talking butler caught in the middle of a chaotic murder mystery.

Although the movie was initially not a major box-office success, it developed a devoted following over the years, with Curry’s performance becoming one of its most celebrated elements.

4. Legend (1985)

Curry transformed himself completely for Legend, playing the terrifying Lord of Darkness opposite Tom Cruise and Mia Sara.

The fantasy film gave Curry the opportunity to create a visually striking villain, further demonstrating his ability to disappear into unusual and demanding characters.

5. It (1990)

For an entire generation of horror fans, Curry’s name is inseparable from Pennywise.

Here, he played the shape-shifting creature in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It, delivering a performance that became one of his most famous and frightening. Although the production was a television miniseries rather than a theatrical movie, its impact on Curry’s film-and-screen legacy makes it impossible to leave out of a retrospective like this.

6. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Curry showed a lighter side of his acting in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, playing the Plaza Hotel’s concierge.

His suspicious interactions with Kevin McCallister gave the character a memorable comic presence and introduced Curry to younger viewers who may not have known him from his earlier work.

7. The Three Musketeers (1993)

He played Cardinal Richelieu in Disney’s The Three Musketeers, joining a cast that included Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland and Chris O’Donnell.

Once again, Curry took on a villainous role, but his performance mixed menace with the theatrical flair that had become a trademark of his work.

8. Congo (1995)

In Congo, Curry played Herkermer Homolka, an eccentric member of an expedition travelling into the African rainforest.

The 1995 adventure film gave him opportunity to play a colourful supporting character, adding yet another genre to an already diverse filmography.

9. Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

Curry stepped into the world of Jim Henson’s characters in Muppet Treasure Island, playing the legendary pirate Long John Silver.

This role allowed him to combine comedy, music and theatrical performance in a family-friendly adventure, making it another memorable departure from his darker roles.

10. Charlie’s Angels (2000)

Curry appeared in the 2000 action comedy Charlie’s Angels as Roger Corwin.

While it was a smaller role compared with Frank-N-Furter, Pennywise or Wadsworth, the appearance demonstrated how much Curry continued finding his way into major mainstream productions decades after his breakthrough.

A Career That Went Beyond Film

These 10 titles represent only a part of what made Curry such a distinctive performer.

He had a major theatre career, earning three Tony Award nominations, while his voice work included characters such as Nigel Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys and roles in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Following a stroke in 2012, Curry moved away from on-screen acting but continued working in voice roles and other projects. His career ultimately covered more than five decades and several generations of audiences.

What separated Tim Curry from many performers was his distinctive ability to make even supporting characters difficult to forget. Whether he was frightening audiences as Pennywise, entertaining them as Wadsworth or commanding the screen as Frank-N-Furter, Curry brought a theatrical presence to almost everything he did.

His death marks the passing of an actor whose performances will continue to introduce him to new audiences long after his final appearance.