Tim Curry cause of death: “It” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show” actor dies at 80

T im Curry , the acclaimed British actor whose extraordinary career included unforgettable performances in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Stephen King's It, has died at the age of 80.

Curry died late Tuesday night at his home in Los Angeles, according to TMZ. Law enforcement sources told the outlet that officers responded to his residence at approximately 11:23 p.m., with no foul play suspected.

At this stage, an official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. Curry had dealt with significant health complications for many years, most notably after suffering a major stroke in 2012.

His representatives and family had not announced a specific cause of death at the time of publication, making it important not to attribute his passing to a particular medical condition without confirmation.

His death marks the end of a remarkable career that stretched across theatre, movies , television and voice acting.

Curry's breakthrough came with The Rocky Horror Show, the stage musical created by Richard O'Brien , before he reprised the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 film adaptation.

Although The Rocky Horror Picture Show initially struggled to make a major impact with critics and audiences, its reputation changed dramatically.

Midnight screenings helped transform the movie into one of cinema's most enduring cult phenomena, with generations of fans participating in screenings and celebrating Curry's flamboyant central performance.

Curry's distinctive presence also made him a natural fit for darker material.

He played Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King's It, delivering a performance that became one of the defining portrayals of the terrifying character.

His interpretation remained influential decades later, even after Bill Skarsgård took over the role for the later film adaptations.

A career that went far beyond his most famous roles

Curry's résumé extended well beyond horror and cult cinema. He appeared as Mr. Hector in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and took roles in movies including Annie, Clue, The Hunt for Red October, Muppet Treasure Island, Addams Family Reunion and Scary Movie 2.

He was equally comfortable on stage. Curry earned three Tony Award nominations during his theatrical career and became known for performances in productions including Amadeus, The Pirates of Penzance and Spamalot.

His work also extended into animation and voice acting, allowing him to remain active even as physical limitations increasingly affected his ability to appear on camera.

Curry's health changed dramatically in 2012 when he suffered a debilitating stroke. The event left him partially paralyzed and forced him to undergo extensive rehabilitation.

Despite the setback, he continued to work, particularly through voice performances and occasional appearances.

In 2025, Curry released his memoir, Vagabond, offering a personal account of his life and his decades in entertainment. The book explored his childhood, his rise through British theatre, his Hollywood career and the aftermath of his stroke.

Curry reflected that the stroke had limited his physical abilities while emphasizing that his memories and imagination remained intact.

The memoir also provided a reminder that Curry's legacy could not be reduced to one character. While Frank-N-Furter and Pennywise became cultural touchstones, he spent roughly five decades moving between wildly different genres and mediums.

His distinctive voice, theatrical instincts and willingness to embrace unconventional characters made him one of the most recognizable performers of his generation.

For millions of fans, however, Curry will forever be associated with the unforgettable figure at the center of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

His performance helped turn a relatively unconventional musical into a cultural institution, while his portrayal of Pennywise introduced an entirely different generation to his talent.

Tim Curry leaves behind a body of work that crossed generations. His death closes a remarkable chapter in entertainment, but the characters he created and the performances he gave will continue to introduce new audiences to one of the industry's most distinctive talents.