Tim Curry, legendary star of Rocky Horror and gaming icon, passes away at 80

Tim Curry, the cherished English actor known for his unforgettable and quirky roles, has passed away at the age of 80. He brought to life characters like the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter in *The Rocky Horror Picture Show*, the frantic butler Wadsworth in *Clue*, and the terrifying Pennywise the Clown in the original adaptation of Stephen King’s *It*. Curry’s extensive and diverse career included a memorable turn as the sinister Darkness in Tom Cruise’s *Legend*, and he embraced a delightfully over-the-top performance as the maniacal Russian Premier Cherdenko in the video game *Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3*.

Reports indicate that Curry died at his home in Los Angeles. He had suffered a significant stroke in 2012 that impacted his mobility and memory, yet he continued to lend his voice to various roles and make special appearances, including voicing Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious in the animated series *Star Wars: The Clone Wars*.

Curry’s journey in acting began on stage, where he first portrayed Dr. Frank-N-Furter in *The Rocky Horror Show* in London and on Broadway. He reprised this iconic role in the 1975 film adaptation, which initially saw modest success but eventually became a cult classic, grossing over $170 million at the box office.

In the 1980s, Curry rose to mainstream fame with performances in films like the musical *Annie*, Ridley Scott’s fantasy *Legend*, and the board game-inspired whodunnit *Clue*. His filmography also includes notable roles in *The Hunt for Red October*, the superhero flick *The Shadow*, *Muppet Treasure Island*, and *Congo*.

For video game enthusiasts, Curry’s portrayal of Premier Cherdenko in *Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3* remains a highlight, particularly for his memorable line: “I’m escaping to the one place that hasn’t been corrupted by capitalism: SPACE!”

Fans can revisit Curry’s work in *Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3* on Steam, where it’s available for purchase, and enjoy his performance in *Clue*, which can be streamed for free on YouTube (with ads).