Tim Curry's death has prompted fans to claim that Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was “cursed,” as he becomes the third cast member from the film to die in 2026.
The Cheshire-born actor, best known for playing Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and its preceding London stage production, died at his Los Angeles home, it was announced on Wednesday. A cause of death was not confirmed; however, Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012, leaving his left side paralysed.
Third cast member to die in 2026
Curry played Mr Hector, the concierge at the Plaza Hotel in the 1992 sequel, opposite Macauley Culkin's Kevin. Online, people noted that Curry was the third member of the film's cast to die in 2026, following actors Brenda Fricker and Catherine O'Hara.
Schitt's Creek star O'Hara died in January aged 71, having played Kevin's mother Kate throughout the franchise. In July, Irish actress Fricker died aged 81. While her most prestigious role came in 1989's My Left Foot, earning her an Oscar, Fricker iconically played a homeless woman known as the Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2.
Fans react online
“That Home Alone 2 rewatch at Christmas is REALLY gonna hit huh,” one viral post on X read, showing pictures of O'Hara, Curry and Fricker in the film. Another said: “They're calling it 'The Curse of Home Alone 2'. 2026 has taken Brenda Fricker, Catherine O'Hara, and now Tim Curry. The rest of the people who appeared in that movie BEWARE.”
In his death, Curry was remembered by his Home Alone 2 co-star Rob Schneider, who shared a lengthy message to Instagram about the “great and wonderful” actor. Schneider recalled watching Curry film seven “completely different” but “fantastic” takes of a scene on the movie, and asked him about it.
Rob Schneider pays tribute
“I have never known another actor who could say more with a knowing grin or a raised eyebrow than the splendid Tim Curry,” Schneider wrote. “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 added.
