Actor Tim Curry, Known For 'Rocky Horror' Starring Role, Dies At 80

LOS ANGELES, CA — Tim Curry, the actor known for playing Dr. Frank N. Furter in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," has died at the age of 80.

Curry, who suffered a stroke in 2012 that put him in a wheelchair, died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his longtime manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz. No cause was disclosed.

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The Englishman began acting in London in the 1960s, first in the West End production of "Hair" before moving on to working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Court Theatre.

He originated the character of Dr. Frank N. Furter, the "sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania," on stage in London, Los Angeles and New York. Curry brought the character to the silver screen in the 1975's "Rocky Horror."

The film failed to gain traction initially, but soon went on to become a hit midnight movie and one of Hollywood's most enduring cult favorites.

Frequent screenings at theaters worldwide have made "Rocky Horror" the longest-running movie of all time, according to the American Film Institute.

Curry would go on to earn three Tony nominations — for "Spamalot," "My Favorite Year" and "Amadeus" — and an Emmy nod in 1994.

His other memorable screen roles included the butler Wadsworth in the 1985 comedy "Clue" and Pennywise the clown in the 1990 television miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's "It."

He also appeared as the suspicious Plaza Hotel concierge in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," Cardinal Richelieu in "The Three Musketeers" and Long John Silver in "Muppet Treasure Island."

Curry became a prolific voice actor as well, lending his distinctive voice to projects including "The Wild Thornberrys," "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius."

After his 2012 stroke, Curry continued to work, primarily in voice roles and occasional screen appearances. He returned to the world of "Rocky Horror" in 2016, appearing as the narrator in Fox's television remake, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again."

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.