Tim Curry, best known for playing Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died at the age of 80. The British-born star had been in precarious health since he suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2012. He used a wheelchair since the stroke and the brain surgery that followed.
His longtime manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz confirmed the news of his death, revealing the actor passed away peacefully at home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles. According to reports, police responded to his house at 11.23pm on Tuesday night. No foul play was suspected in the case.
911 Call and Police Response
In dispatch audio obtained by TMZ, police responded to a death investigation at his home. It came after the Los Angeles Fire Department received a 911 call earlier in the night over a medical emergency where the subject was pronounced dead at the scene. No immediate cause of death has been provided.
The three-time Tony Award nominee had been facing health issues in his final years.
Tributes and Legacy
In a statement shared by his manager, Marcia, it read: “Throughout his life, he refused to be boxed in or confined to others’ expectations. Across five decades, he moved fluidly between comedy, horror, drama, and music, delighting himself and his legion of fans with his countless dynamic personas. He is, depending on who you ask, the definitive Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the definitive Pennywise, the man who made a butler’s death-scene monologue in Clue an all-time comedic bit, or simply ‘that unforgettable voice’ from a beloved cartoon of someone’s childhood.”
The statement continued: “Few actors can claim to have left as many distinct fingerprints on pop culture and though he suffered a debilitating stroke in 2012, he continued adding to his achievements as an artist and, most recently, a writer. Though widely known for his inimitable, flamboyant characters and colorful stage performances, his greatest legacies to those who knew him were his curious, expansive mind and generous, gentle heart, both of which remained open and filled with anticipation until his final breath.”
Health Struggles and Final Years
The iconic actor stepped away from the spotlight after he suffered a stroke in 2012 leaving him partially paralysed on one side of his body. He was loved for his outlandish performances across film, television, and theatre but was best known for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
In 2015, almost three years after his stroke, he made a rare public appearance at the Actors Fund Tony Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles and received a lifetime achievement award. He spoke openly about his recovery, highlighting how maintaining his sense of humour was vital to coping with his health challenges.
