EntertainmentTim Curry, the quirky British actor known for playing eccentric roles like the flamboyant alien mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, died on Wednesday at his Los Angeles home.Curry soared to fame in the 1970s as cross-dressing scientist Dr. Frank-N-FurterKayla McLean · CBC News · Posted: Aug 26, 2026 12:30 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 1 minuteThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Tim Curry, star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and many other productions, has died at 80. (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)Tim Curry, the quirky British actor known for playing eccentric roles like the flamboyant mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, died on Wednesday. He was 80.His longtime manager and friend, Marcia Hurwitz, confirmed that he died at his Los Angeles home. No cause of death was immediately disclosed, though Curry suffered a stroke in 2012 that relegated him to a wheelchair.The character actor surged into the spotlight in the 1970s as the star of the horror-comedy stage music The Rocky Horror Show, and then for its screen adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975.He also became known for playing fiendish, loony villains, including starring as the original Pennywise, the twisted clown in the two-part ABC 1990 adaptation of It. He also starred as another famous antagonist, Rooster Hannigan, brother of the bitter, gin-soaked Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett) in the 1982 Annie.More to comeABOUT THE AUTHORKayla McLean is a web journalist with CBC News in Toronto. She grew up in Brampton, Ont., and received her bachelor of arts in media production at Toronto Metropolitan University. Before joining CBC in 2024, she worked as a breaking news reporter at Global News Toronto — covering everything from crime, sports, festivals and politics. She also reported for Global News's current affairs show, The New Reality, covering stories with a focus on racial equality and climate justice. She also previously held positions as a chase producer and writer for CTV News Channel.