The Rocky Horror Show writer Richard O'Brien has paid tribute to actor Tim Curry after he died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 80.
Curry's manager confirmed on Wednesday that the star passed away on Tuesday night. A cause of death was not disclosed, but the actor had suffered serious health issues since a stroke in 2012 left him unable to walk.
O'Brien's tribute was published on Instagram by his son, Linus O'Brien. The 84-year-old writer, who also hosted the British game show The Crystal Maze from 1990 to 1993, praised his former colleague as a modest and gifted performer.
"It is with an exceptionally sad heart and misted-up eyes that I share these words with you," O'Brien wrote in the statement.
"Tim Curry was a wonderful man by nature who was also a wonderful performer and understood the difference between such delightful achievements," he continued. "He never sought attention and never put himself before the roles that he played. He was, in short, a good egg and class act. It was both a privilege and delight to have known him and worked with him. Rest in peace dear Tim. Richard."
Richard O'Brien and The Rocky Horror Show
O'Brien created the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show in 1973, and the production has remained in continuous performance ever since. He later co-wrote the screenplay for the 1975 feature film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, alongside director Jim Sharman.
Curry starred as Dr Frank-N-Furter, a mad transvestite scientist from Transsexual, Transylvania. The character was depicted as a hedonist in heels and fishnet stockings, hell-bent on creating the ultimate male partner for his own indulgence while clashing with Brad and Janet, a conventional young American couple.
Curry played the role for two years, first in the original stage production and then in the 1975 film release. Although Curry hoped to avoid being typecast throughout his career, his portrayal of the eccentric doctor became his defining role.
Notable film and stage performances
Beyond Rocky Horror, Curry built an extensive acting career across film, television, and theater. In 1990, he played the sinister clown Pennywise in the original television movie adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel It.
In 1992, he appeared in the comedy film Home Alone 2, portraying Mr Hector, the suspicious concierge at the Plaza Hotel in New York. He also starred as Rooster, the con artist brother of Miss Hannigan, in the movie musical Annie.
Between 2004 and 2007, Curry portrayed King Arthur in the stage musical Spamalot, adapted from Monty Python. He performed the role in stage productions in Chicago, on Broadway in New York, and in London's West End.
