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Tim Curry’s 5 best screen roles
28th August, 2026 12:56 PM
British actor Tim Curry left behind a career that stretched across film, television, theatre and voice acting, with several performances becoming favourites among different generations.
Curry, who died on August 25, 2026, aged 80, was known for taking on unusual characters and giving each role his own style. From a flamboyant scientist to a frightening clown and a funny hotel concierge, he rarely stayed in one type of character.
Here are five of his most memorable screen roles.
Dr Frank-N-Furter – The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Curry’s best-known role came in the 1975 musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where he played Dr Frank-N-Furter.
The role had already been part of his stage career before the film adaptation, but the movie turned Curry into a cult favourite. His performance as the eccentric scientist became closely linked to the film’s lasting popularity.
The film went on to develop a strong following, with fans continuing to attend screenings decades after its release.
Pennywise – It
Curry took a very different direction in the 1990 television miniseries It, playing Pennywise the clown. Based on Stephen King’s horror novel, the series introduced viewers to a character that could change its appearance while frightening a group of children.
Curry’s performance gave Pennywise a disturbing personality and became one of the roles for which he was most remembered.
Wadsworth – Clue
In the 1985 comedy mystery Clue, Curry played Wadsworth, the fast-talking butler caught up in a series of murders inside a mansion.
The film did not make a strong impact at the box office when it was released, but it later became a cult favourite. Curry’s energetic performance and quick delivery helped make Wadsworth one of the film’s most recognised characters.
Darkness – Legend
Curry also showed his ability to disappear into a character in Ridley Scott’s 1985 fantasy film Legend.
He played Darkness, a powerful villain hidden beneath heavy make-up and prosthetics. Despite the physical changes, Curry’s voice and performance remained central to the character.
The role showed another side of his acting, moving away from comedy and music into fantasy and dark storytelling.
Long John Silver – Muppet Treasure Island
For younger audiences, Curry became familiar as Long John Silver in the 1996 film Muppet Treasure Island. Playing the famous pirate alongside the Muppets allowed him to combine humour with the more traditional qualities of a storybook villain.
His performance helped introduce Curry to another generation of viewers while showing how comfortably he could move between serious, frightening and playful characters.
A career beyond five roles
Curry’s screen career went beyond these five performances. He also appeared in films such as Annie, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and The Three Musketeers, while his voice work included Sir Nigel Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys.
His career was also shaped by his work on stage, where he earned Tony Award nominations for productions including Amadeus and Spamalot. Curry’s death at 80 marked the end of a career that lasted for nearly six decades, but his characters continue to introduce his work to new audiences.
