Tim Curry, the prolific British stage, screen, and voice actor, died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home at the age of 80. His cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Curry was best known for his starring role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the tyrannical, gender-bending alien mad scientist in both the stage and screen versions of the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This role, which put him on the map in 1975, showcased his gift for garish eccentricity.
Throughout his career, Curry often appeared as a hammy villain and played a variety of eccentric characters. His notable works include performances in Clue, Muppet Treasure Island, and the original screen adaptation of Stephen King's It, where he played Pennywise. He also portrayed Gomez Addams, Bill Sikes, Mozart, and William Shakespeare.
Beyond the screen, Curry was nominated three times for a Tony Award for his Broadway roles. He once explained his attraction to his diverse characters by stating that he liked playing the more curious corners of the human mind and human behavior because they were a tad more interesting.