Tim Curry, the British baritone‑voiced actor best known for his role as the singing, lingerie‑clad “sweet transvestite” in the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, died at age 80, his manager announced on Wednesday.
The cause of death has not yet been disclosed, but Curry had been ill for some time. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday at his Los Angeles home, according to his manager.
Curry appeared in a wide range of films, frequently portraying a flamboyant villain, earned three Tony Award nominations for his Broadway work, and contributed voice performances to numerous animated films and television series.
His most iconic role was Dr. Frank N. Furter, the flamboyant lead in the outrageous horror‑comedy‑musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which also starred Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick.
He sang, “I’m not much of a man by day, but by night I’m a lover. I’m just a sweet transvestite from Transylvania,” delivering the line with garish eye shadow, lipstick, and a skimpy black outfit featuring stockings and a garter belt.
In a 1975 television interview, Curry warned that his career might be defined by such an outlandish role, a concern that proved prescient. “When I read it, I thought it was very witty and funny,” he recalled, though he admitted to some initial hesitation.