Rocky Horror Picture Show writer Richard O’Brien has paid tribute to the film’s lead actor, Tim Curry, following his death at the age of 80.
Richard’s son Linus shared the words on Instagram, while his father labeled Tim “a good egg and a class act who never attracted attention.”
Tim, best known for his role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic, died Tuesday night at his Los Angeles home, with his manager confirming the news a day later.
No cause of death was given, but Curry had suffered serious health problems for more than a decade after suffering a stroke in 2012 that left him unable to walk.
Richard, 84, who also hosted British game show The Crystal Maze from 1990 to 1993, wrote: “It is with an exceptionally sad heart and misty eyes that I share these words with you.
Rocky Horror Show writer Richard O’Brien has paid tribute to Tim Curry following his death at the age of 80, calling him a ‘good egg and a class act who never sought attention’
Richard’s son Linus shared the words on Instagram
“Tim Curry was a naturally great man who was also a great artist and understood the difference between such wonderful achievements.
“He never sought attention or put himself forward for the roles he played.
‘In short, he was a good egg and class act. It was both a privilege and a pleasure to have known and worked with him. Rest in peace dear Tim. Ricardo.’
Richard wrote the musical show The Rocky Horror Show in 1973, which has remained in continuous production.
He also co-wrote the screenplay with director Jim Sharman for the film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which was released in 1975.
Despite his desire not to be typecast, Curry’s sensational portrayal of the crazy “transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania” inevitably defined his career.
The deviant doctor, a bon vivant in heels and fishnets, was determined to create the perfect man for his own pleasure – and railed against boring, all-American teenage couple Janet and Brad.
Tim was best known for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Curry, pictured in 2016 at the red carpet premiere of The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again at The Roxy in West Hollywood, California
He played the role for two years – first on stage and then in the film version, released in 1975.
Curry next played the sinister clown Pennywise in the original 1990 film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel It.
And in 1992 he joined the cast of Home Alone 2 – as Mr Hector, a stuffy and suspicious concierge at the Plaza Hotel in New York and as Miss Hannigan’s con artist brother Rooster in Annie.
Between 2004 and 2007 he played King Arthur in the Monty Python musical Spamalot on stage in Chicago, Broadway and the West End.
