Tim Curry died from coronary artery disease, according to Los Angeles County public health records obtained by People magazine.
The records listed kidney cancer and Curry’s history of stroke as other significant conditions that contributed to his death. They were not identified as underlying causes.
Curry died Aug. 25 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 80.
The beloved British character actor had used a wheelchair since suffering a major stroke in 2012. The health setback limited his mobility, but he continued working, particularly as a voice actor.
Curry built a career playing eccentric heroes, theatrical villains and characters who often landed somewhere between the two.
He became a pop culture icon after originating the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1973 London stage production of “The Rocky Horror Show.” He carried the role into the 1975 film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” starring alongside Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf.
The movie initially struggled to find an audience but later became a cult phenomenon. Its midnight screenings, audience participation and music—including “The Time Warp”—helped keep the film popular for more than 50 years.
Curry later said he viewed the movie’s lasting fame with “a sort of bemused tolerance.”
His other memorable screen roles included the frantic butler Wadsworth in “Clue,” the terrifying Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” and hotel concierge Mr. Hector in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.”
Curry also appeared in “Annie,” “The Hunt for Red October,” “The Three Musketeers,” “Congo” and “Muppet Treasure Island.”
His stage career earned him three Tony Award nominations. He was recognized for his performances in “Amadeus,” “My Favorite Year” and “Spamalot,” in which he played King Arthur.
Curry also received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1994. He won a Daytime Emmy for voicing Captain Hook in the animated series “Peter Pan and the Pirates.”
His distinctive voice led to roles in numerous animated productions, including “The Wild Thornberrys,” “The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”
“I like playing the more curious corners of the human mind and human behavior,” Curry told The Associated Press in 1993.
Curry continued acting after his stroke and released his memoir, “Vagabond,” in 2025. In the book, he reflected on the many fans who connected with his characters across generations.
His longtime manager and friend, Marcia Hurwitz, previously said Curry died peacefully at his home.
