US actor Rob Schneider has paid tribute to his “great and wonderful” Home Alone co-star Tim Curry, who has died aged 80, saying: “It was truly an honour to know you.”
Curry, best known for playing transvestite alien scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, died at his Los Angeles home, according to his long-time manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz.
A cause of death was not confirmed, however, it comes after Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012, leaving his left side paralysed.
Career spanning stage and screen
Curry had a versatile career spanning stage and screen with notable film credits in It (1990), Muppet Treasure Island (1996) and Annie (1982) – and tributes have poured in from his former co-stars.
He also appeared opposite Macaulay Culkin in 1992 film Home Alone 2: Lost In New York as the personal concierge for the swanky Plaza Hotel, while Schneider played fellow employee Cedric The Bellman.
Schneider, 62, shared a lengthy message to Instagram on Wednesday as he remembered his “great and wonderful” former co-star, who he said has “given his final bow”.
Schneider's tribute
“I have never known another actor who could say more with a knowing grin or a raised eyebrow than the splendid Tim Curry,” the actor and comedian added.
In the message, which was accompanied with a picture of Curry from the hit film, Schneider described feeling “astonished as a young actor” as he watched his co-star film seven “completely different” but “fantastic” takes of a scene.
He said: “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.”
Concluding the post, he wrote: “Tim, it was truly an honour to know you! God bless you!”
Co-stars remember Curry
Curry’s Rocky Horror Picture Show co-star Susan Sarandon said Curry was a “funny, sexy, original”.
“What a funny, sexy, original he was. But what I loved about him most was his heart,” she captioned an Instagram photo of the pair.
“Even wheelchair bound he continued to be so sweet and generous with his fans. Thank you Tim for meaning so much to so many people. Love you, S.”
In a statement to the New Zealand Herald, Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O’Brien said Curry was a “class act”.
“It is with an exceptionally sad heart and misted-up eyes that I share these words with you,” he told the newspaper.
“Tim Curry was a wonderful man by nature who was also a wonderful performer and understood the difference between such delightful achievements.
“He never sought attention and never put himself before the roles that he played. He was, in short, a good egg and class act.”
Further tributes
Model and actress Kelly Brook was also among the mourners, and recalled how “lovely” it was working alongside Curry on 2000 thriller film Sorted in a touching tribute on Instagram.
She wrote: “During our lunch break, I told him I was going to LA for a couple of weeks to accompany a friend who had some meetings. I was 19-years-old.
“Tim kindly offered to introduce me to his then-manager Joan Hyler.”
Brook said this led to Hyler representing her as an actress, leading to various film and TV roles, adding: “I did often think I owed my career in the USA to Tim Curry as it’s these sorts of introductions that change the course of your life.
“He was such a lovely, generous, kind man and so talented.”
The 46-year-old also praised him as a “class act”, and said: “Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
Actor Richard E Grant shared a snap of Curry in his famous role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show as he paid tribute, praising the star for his “indelible, fearless insouciance”.
Curry originated the character on stage in London before taking the show to Broadway, and later reprised the role in the film – which has since become a cult classic, especially among the LGBTQ+ community.
“An unforgettable thrill to have seen him on stage in The Pirates Of Penzance and on screen as Frank-N-Furter, and to have met him in Los Angeles many times in the last century,” Grant added.
Dee Snider, the frontman of Twisted Sister, wrote on X: “RIP TIM CURRY. Your performance as Frank-N-Furter changed my life (and makeup) forever.”
He also starred in the 1982 musical film Annie as opposite Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan – playing her con-artist brother.
The actress recounted having a “wonderful time” on set with Curry as she paid tribute, adding: “Nobody could play lovable villains better than he could. He was a dear friend. I was blessed to know him.”
Known for his wit and gift with voices, Curry was renowned for his portrayal of villains including Stephen King’s antagonist Dancing Clown Pennywise in the film adaptation of his horror novel It.
The author paid tribute to the actor in a post on Threads and said: “Tim Curry, the original Pennywise. RIP.”
