Tim Curry, the English actor best known for originating the role of Dr. Frank N. Furter in "The Rocky Horror Show" and starring in films including "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," died Tuesday at 80.
Curry's stage and screen career spanned five decades. While he was born in England, New York played an important role in many of his most memorable performances, from Broadway productions to films set in or closely associated with the city.
Curry's theater beginnings
Curry was born April 19, 1946, in Cheshire, England. After moving several times because of his father's naval career, his family settled in Plymouth.
He developed his singing talent while attending Kingswood School in Bath, Somerset, before shifting his focus to acting. He graduated from the University of Birmingham
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and drama.
Curry's first theater role was in the original West End production of "Hair" in 1968. There, he met composer Richard O'Brien, who would later create Curry's most famous role.
O'Brien wrote the role of Dr. Frank N. Furter for Curry in "The Rocky Horror Show," which debuted in London in 1973.
New York's relationship with 'The Rocky Horror Show'
"The Rocky Horror Show" debuted at London's Royal Court Theatre in 1973 and quickly developed a devoted following.
By 1974, the production had moved to Los Angeles and New York City. While its Broadway run was relatively brief, the production earned a Tony Award nomination and three Drama Desk nominations.
The 1975 film adaptation, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," went on to become one of the world's most enduring cult classics. Midnight screenings helped create a distinctive audience experience involving costumes, callouts and other interactive traditions.
The film developed a particularly devoted following in New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley, including within the region's LGBTQ+ community.
Members of the original cast also occasionally appeared at screenings in New York-area theaters, including Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon.
Curry starred in New York holiday classic 'Home Alone 2'
Outside of "Rocky Horror," one of Curry's best-known roles was Mr. Hector, the concierge at the Plaza Hotel in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York."
The 1992 holiday film, starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, has become a Christmas staple and is set largely in New York City.
Curry's character repeatedly tries to catch Kevin as he uses his father's credit card to stay at the Plaza Hotel.
Curry also starred in 'Annie'
A decade earlier, Curry appeared alongside Carol Burnett in the 1982 film adaptation of "Annie."
Curry played Rooster Hannigan, the brother of Burnett's Miss Hannigan. Along with Miss Hannigan and Lily St. Regis, played by Bernadette Peters, Rooster attempts to pose as Annie's father after Oliver Warbucks offers a reward for information about Annie's biological parents.
In one of the film's most memorable scenes, Curry's character chases Annie across a drawbridge as the New York City skyline appears in the background.
Curry returned to Broadway for 'Spamalot'
One of Curry's final major stage roles came on Broadway in 2005, when he originated the role of King Arthur in "Monty Python's Spamalot."
The Broadway production was a major success and won the Grammy Award for best musical theater album.
Curry's later roles
Curry suffered a stroke in 2012 that affected his mobility, but he continued working as an actor.
His later roles included voice work in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Over the Garden Wall." He also voiced Nigel Thornberry in Nickelodeon's "The Wild Thornberrys" from 1998 to 2004.
In a full-circle moment, Curry returned to the world of "Rocky Horror" in 2016, appearing as the criminologist in the television remake opposite Victoria Justice and Ryan McCartan.
His final live-action role was in the 2024 horror film "Stream." A sequel, "Stream 2," has not yet been released.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Tim Curry's New York legacy: From 'Rocky Horror' to 'Home Alone 2' and Broadway
