Hollywood is mourning the loss of Tim Curry.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show star died at the age of 80 in Los Angeles, his longtime manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz announced Wednesday. A cause of death was not immediately made available, but he previously suffered a major stroke in 2012.
Carol Burnett, who starred alongside Curry in Annie as Miss Hannigan (he portrayed her on-screen brother), shared a clip from the 1982 film on Instagram. She wrote, “We had such a wonderful time working together on ‘Annie.’ Nobody could play lovable villains better than he could. He was a dear friend. I was blessed to know him.”
Luke Evans, the most recent actor to play Dr. Frank-N-Furter on Broadway, the role Curry originated on-stage and portrayed in the 1975 film, penned a tribute on Instagram. “There will only be one Tim Curry,” Evans wrote. “He was a force, a bright fierce flame, an exquisite charm and that rich vocal tone, he was an inspiration to me and so many people for the roles he played and the effect he had on so many of us.”
Evans also revealed he recently wrote Curry a letter during the end of his run in the Broadway show, which concluded on Aug. 23. “With only three weeks left, before I finally hang up the fishnets and heels, I wanted to send you a note. Although we’ve never met, you’ve been part of this journey from the very beginning. Every actor who puts on Frank inevitably walks into a conversation that started with you, and I’ve felt that every single night,” the letter read in part.
Curry’s Home Alone 2: Lost in New York co-star Rob Schneider, who played Cedric, the hotel bellhop, while Curry portrayed Mr. Hector, the suspicious hotel concierge, posted a lengthy tribute. “The great and wonderful Tim Curry has given his final bow,” he wrote on Instagram. “I have never known another actor who could say more with a knowing grin or a raised eyebrow than the splendid Tim Curry!”
He added, “Most actors will do a scene the same way and try to perfect it. I was astonished as a young actor to witness Tim do a scene 7 completely different ways and ALL OF THEM FANTASTIC! I asked him about it, and he gave me a great gift. Tim said, ‘I want to give the director different choices! It’s not my job to decide which one. It’s up to him!’ Right then and there, it changed everything for me! Tim was kind and generous to be in a scene with. I was thrilled to be in the same frame as him.”
Schneider went on to praise the actor’s most memorable roles, concluding his tribute saying, “Tim, it was truly an honor to know you!”
His Clue co-stars, from the 1985 film based on the popular board game, also shared tributes. Michael McKean wrote on X, “My last conversation with Tim Curry was about life and love and laughter. The grim physical state he found himself in has now ended, a blessing. Our blessing was that we had Tim Curry in our lives. RIP, my friend.”
Lesley Anne Warren shared two photos with Curry on Instagram, writing in the caption, “My dear companion in crime, the brilliant, hilarious, hysterically funny, magician of artistry has left us. What an unbelievable joy to have shared a sound stage with him and to engage with such a master talent. I adored him. Bless his wild and inspired soul. Love you Tim.”
Josh Gad wrote on his Instagram Story, “Another day, another legend. Goodbye Tim. Thank you for your immense gifts. Ugh.”
Curb Your Enthusiasm actress Jillian Bell shared a few photos of Curry on Instagram, writing, “I’m devastated. This is the person who made me want to be an actor.”
“The last ten minutes of Clue, it was all on him to deliver the ending and he devoured every frame. It became my favorite movie of all time and still remains in that position,” she added. “He gave us so much in his career. He terrified us in It, he made us laugh in Clue and Home Alone 2, he made us sing in Annie and Rocky Horror Picture Show. And the risks he took in his career were one of a kind. He was beautiful and weird and dark and light all at the same time. And I loved him. I got to meet him once and he was just as sweet and cheeky as I had hoped. I got to tell him what he meant to me. I didn’t know the man, but I feel like each performance gave me a piece of him that I will cherish forever.”
Jennifer Tilly, who co-starred with Curry in the 2005 comedy Bailey’s Billion$, posted several tributes on X about how she loved working alongside him. “He was a comedic genius and a brilliant man. Gone too soon,” she wrote in part.
Curry’s death was also announced a day after country music icon Dolly Parton died at the age of 80. O’Shea Jackson Jr paid tribute to both stars, writing on X, “Rip Dolly Parton. Rip Tim Curry.”
Brooke Shields took the same approach, posting a throwback video of Curry on Saturday Night Live, jokingly telling Eddie Murphy that he was offered Shields’ role in The Blue Lagoon. “And what an honor it would’ve been for Tim Curry to play my role in Blue Lagoon. Another legend lost too soon,” she wrote as the caption. “Broadway & Film (like country music) will never be the same.”
Read more tributes below.
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