Shattered tributes have poured for legendary actor Tim Curry as news spread Wednesday that he has died at the age of 80.
Curry, best known for playing Dr Frank-N-Furter in cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, died at his Los Angeles home Tuesday night, his manager confirmed.
He had been suffering with serious health issues for more than a decade, having suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2012, and no foul play is suspected.
Luke Evans, who played Frank-N-Furter in the latest Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show until Sunday, shared a letter he wrote Curry three weeks ago.
‘Dear Tim, With only three weeks left before I finally hang up the fishnets and heels, I wanted to send you a note,’ the The Hobbit star began.
‘Although we’ve never met, you’ve been part of this journey from the very beginning. Every actor who puts on Frank inevitably walks into a conversation that started with you, and I’ve felt that every single night,’ Evans confessed.
Shattered tributes have poured for legendary actor Tim Curry as news spread Wednesday that he has died at the age of 80
Curry, best known for playing Dr Frank-N-Furter in cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show (pictured), died at his Los Angeles home Tuesday night, his manager confirmed
Luke Evans, who played Frank-N-Furter in the latest Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show until Sunday, shared a letter he wrote Curry three weeks ago; pictured at the Tonys
Being compared to you has been one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received, even though it’s a comparison no one could ever hope to live up to. There is, and always will be, only one Tim Curry,’ he continued.
‘I’ve never tried to recreate what you did. That would be impossible. I simply hoped to honour the extraordinary character you brought to life, while finding my own way through him,’ Evans explained in his note.
‘As this chapter comes to an end, I just wanted to say thank you. For your fearless performance, for creating something so enduring, and for inspiring generations or actors to be a little braver than they thought they could be.’
He concluded: I hope, wherever you are, you’d approve of one more Frank having the time of his life in those heels. With enormous admiration, Luke x.’
Michael McKean, who co-starred with Curry in the 1985 crime comedy Clue, expressed relief at the conclusion of his friend’s punishing health decline.
‘My last conversation with Tim Curry was about life and love and laughter,’ he wrote on X. ‘The grim physical state he found himself in has now ended, a blessing. Our blessing was that we had Tim Curry in our lives. RIP, my friend.’
Ben Stiller, who guest-starred on a 2002 episode of McKean’s sitcom Primetime Glick, replied to his tweet with a string of blue heart emojis.
Curry, who played Long John Silver in the 1996 film Muppet Treasure Island, received a glowing encomium on the children’s franchise’s official Instagram page.
Michael McKean, who co-starred with Curry in Clue, expressed relief at the conclusion of his friend’s punishing health decline; Curry pictured in Clue with Eileen Brennan
Ben Stiller, who guest-starred on a 2002 episode of McKean’s sitcom Primetime Glick, replied to his tweet with a string of blue heart emojis
Curry, who played Long John Silver in the 1996 film Muppet Treasure Island, received a glowing encomium on the children’s franchise’s official Instagram page
Ice Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson Jr, who played his father in the 2015 biopic Straight Outta Compton, tweeted in memoriam messages to both Curry and Dolly Parton
‘And the blows keep coming,’ wrote Elaine Hendrix, who acted with Curry in the 1996 romantic comedy Lover’s Knot, also featuring Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey
Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger’s daughter Ireland Baldwin shared her grief over both Parton and Curry in an emotional Instagram post
‘Few humans have earned the title of honorary Muppet more than the legendary Tim Curry,’ the post read. ‘As a performer he was unparalleled – witty, charming, unnerving, and deeply funny. We will always consider it one of our greatest treasures to have been part of Long John Silver’s crew. Thank you for everything, Tim.’
Ice Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson Jr, who played his father in the 2015 biopic Straight Outta Compton, tweeted: ‘Rip Dolly Parton. Rip Tim Curry.’
‘And the blows keep coming,’ wrote Elaine Hendrix, who acted with Curry in the 1996 romantic comedy Lover’s Knot, also featuring Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey.
‘I worked with Tim Curry in the 90s. He was THE kindest man,’ Hendrix recalled, alongside a pair of throwback snaps with him. ‘I adored him up close and from a far since discovering “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” while I was in High School. I was a huge fan of him! What a talent. What a gentleman. What an honor. RIP Tim.’
Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger’s daughter Ireland Baldwin shared her grief over both Parton and Curry in an emotional Instagram post.
‘Two of my biggest inspirations passed away at 80,’ wrote Ireland. ‘Crazy how their presence as performers led me to believe that they are immortal and couldn’t possibly ever be gone. Fly HIGH above this crazy world.’
