Honoring Tim Curry
Looking back at Tim Curry’s legacy of unforgettable performances
By TALAR KESHISHIAN — arts@theaggie.org
On Aug. 25, legendary actor Tim Curry passed away at the age of 80. The news of his death left fans of his deeply heartbroken and reminded them how his singular performances have left an everlasting imprint on the stage, cinema and their hearts.
In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Curry expressed his enthusiasm for acting as deriving from “the freedom of being someone else.” This statement reflects the range of entertaining characters he has gifted audiences with over the years.
After gaining theatrical experience in college, Curry auditioned for Richard O’Brien’s new musical, “The Rocky Horror Show,” which would soon launch his acting career into stardom. The avant-garde show introduced Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a cross-dressing mad scientist from outer space. Whether it was his grand entrance in “Sweet Transvestite” or his emotional delivery in the ballad “I’m Going Home,” it’s safe to say Curry was central to the musical’s massive commercial success.
Despite the stage production’s popularity, the film adaptation starring Curry did not receive the same attention at the box office. However, over the years, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) has become one of the most well-known and beloved cult-classic films of all time.
Curry’s magnetism and unabashed sexuality as Dr. Frank-N-Furter solidified him as a legend within both the film industry and the LGBTQ+ community. People now gather across the country to perform shadowcasts of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” as a celebration of freedom, queer visibility and community. This includes UC Davis’s very own Erotic Nightmares Club, which presents a themed shadowcast of the movie once a month.
Following “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Curry returned to his theater roots multiple times with well-known stage credits earning him various award nominations. He is widely regarded in the theater community for his Tony-nominated performance as the flamboyant prodigy Mozart, opposite Ian McKellen as the envious Antonio Salieri, in the original Broadway cast of “Amadeus” (1980).
Curry’s theatrical background shone in his role as the scheming con man Rooster Hannigan in “Annie” (1982). His smooth vocals and dancing in the song “Easy Street” alongside Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters instantly secured the scene as a classic in the world of movie musicals.
Curry is known to imbue his villainous characters with humor and charisma, often blurring the lines between drama and comedy. In his memoir “Vagabond,” Curry highlighted what draws him to playing villains.
“People often ask me if I have a certain preference or fondness for playing villains, and my go-to response has always been that villains are better written than heroes, which I still believe to be true,” Curry said. “They’re less predictable. There’s more variety. They’re also fun to escape into; they command attention, and audiences find them fascinating, even liberating.”
Curry’s sympathy for villains is evident in his approach to playing the menacing clown Pennywise in Stephen King’s “It” (1990). Despite his own aversion to clowns, Curry’s frightening presence, vocal inflections and evil cackle proved his ability to vanish into roles.
“Clue” (1985) features Curry’s powerful acting skills with his layered performance as the secretive butler Wadsworth. Curry’s frantic energy, microexpressions and commitment to chaos demonstrate his excellence at communicating with the audience through his body language. Throughout the movie, Curry challenges viewers to question Wadsworth’s morality, as he masterfully keeps the butler’s true identity and motives shrouded in mystery until the jarring twist at the end.
Though he only has five minutes of screen time, many fans recognize Curry as Mr. Hector, the meticulous hotel concierge in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992). Curry’s impeccable comedic timing and exaggerated facial expressions, namely the iconic Grinch smile, quickly secured him as a memorable addition to the beloved Christmas movie series.
Tim Curry will never be forgotten because when he acts, he brings thoughtfulness, care and a unique flair of eccentricity. His performances have taught us and will continue to teach us how to be fearless, authentic and most importantly, “don’t dream it – be it.”
Written by: Talar Keshishian — arts@theaggie.org