Tim Curry, Rocky Horror star, dies at 80

Tim Curry, the English actor whose flamboyant turn as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” helped make the 1975 film a cult landmark, has died at 80, his manager confirmed to CBS News.

Curry built a career around vivid, theatrical characters, from the lingerie-clad scientist of “Rocky Horror” to the menacing clown Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s “It.” He was also known for playing Long John Silver in 1996’s “Muppet Treasure Island,” and appeared in films including “The Hunt for Red October” and “Home Alone 2.”

Born in Cheshire, England, in 1946, Curry began his career on the London stage. The BBC reported that his first acting job after university was in the original London production of the rock musical “Hair” in 1968. In 1973, Richard O’Brien, a fellow cast member, asked Curry to audition for a new musical and cast him as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, described in the show as a “sweet transvestite.”

Curry first played the role in “The Rocky Horror Show” at the upstairs theatre at London’s Royal Court in 1973. The musical’s popularity grew, leading to the film version two years later. The movie, which also starred Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and O’Brien, was not an immediate cinema hit, the BBC reported, but became a fan favorite and holds the record for the longest-running theatrical release in film history.

For many fans, Curry’s performance as Frank-N-Furter became his defining role. Speaking to “CBS Sunday Morning” last October, Curry reflected on the character’s lasting impact, saying Frank-N-Furter “gave a lot of teenagers permission to be different, and I’m very happy that he did have that power.”

Curry’s other best-known screen role came in 1990, when he played Pennywise in the original screen adaptation of King’s 1986 novel “It.” His portrayal of the villainous clown became one of the most widely remembered performances in the miniseries.

Across decades in entertainment, Curry worked in film, television, theater and music. CBS News reported that he received multiple Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards, along with other acclaim. The BBC reported that he was nominated for three Tony Awards on Broadway.

Curry also embraced a public image that could be difficult to pin down. In his October interview with CBS, while promoting his memoir “Vagabond,” he discussed protecting parts of his personal life even after years in the public eye. Asked about being something of an enigma, he said, “I think it’s important. I encourage it.” He added that something critical for him “is to not encourage an identity.”

The memoir looked back on his early childhood, including moving from place to place as part of a military family, and on his path to worldwide fame, CBS News reported.

Curry suffered a stroke in 2012 that left him partially paralyzed. News of his death was confirmed as a breaking story, and further details were not immediately available in the source reports.