Tim Curry Biography

The son of a Methodist Royal Navy chaplain, James, and his wife Patricia, a school secretary, Tim Curry studied Drama and English at Cambridge and at Birmingham University, from which he graduated with Combined Honors. Although born in Cheshire, England, Curry moved around for most of his childhood. "The world was my home. My mother met my father in Malta and they were married in Egypt. My sister was born in Egypt and has dual citizenship. I was conceived in South Africa and born in England."

After spending some time in Hong Kong, Curry returned to England and spent four years at a junior school in Plymouth, two years at a boarding school located in Bath and then five years at Kingswood. Curry said that moving around so much when he was young was good training for an actor, "because never staying anywhere long enough to make good friends, you soon learn how to please children very quickly."

His first professional success was in the London production of Hair, followed by more work in the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Glasgow Civic Repertory Company, and the Royal Court Theater where he created the role of Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He recreated the role in the Los Angeles and Broadway productions and starred in the screen version entitled The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

By one of those wondrous quirks of fate, the 1975 Rocky Horror film was resuscitated from its disappointing initial run and became the archetypal "midnight movie"; for nearly two decades the faithful have lined up each weekend evening in front of theatres playing Rocky Horror in bizarre costumes and makeup.

Since then he starred in, among others, Annie, Legend, The Hunt for Red October, Oscar, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon, The Three Musketeers, The Shadow, Muppet Treasure Island and Charlie's Angels: The Movie.

Curry continued his career on the New York and London stages with starring roles in Travesties, The Pirates of Penzance, the Rivals, Love for Love, Dilliance, The Threepenny Opera etc.

But he decided to focus his efforts on film. "I found I was just enjoying it (film) more than the theater, I like the down time. I always have a library and I've perfected the art of the catnap."

In addition to an active movie and television career, Curry was a sought-after actor for CD-ROM productions. His distinctive voice can be heard on more than a dozen audio books, and in countless animated television series and videos. A composer and a singer, Curry toured the US and Europe with his own band and released four albums for A&M records.

Never married, Curry lived in Los Angeles with his dog. He struggled with his health since 2012, when he suffered a stroke and passed away on August 25, 2026 at the age of 80.

Filmography:

Stream (2024)
Ribbit (2014)
Axel: The Biggest Little Hero (2014)
Gingerclown (2013) (voix)
Strange Frame: Love & Sax (2012)
Back to the Sea (2012)
Outback (2012)
A Turtle's Tale 2: Sammy's Escape from Paradise (2010)
Wolf Sheep (2010)
Burke and Hare (2010)
Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! (2009)
The Secret of Moonacre (2008)
Fly Me to the Moon 3D (2008)
Christmas in Wonderland (2007)
The Chosen One (2007)
Garfield 2 (2006)
Valiant (2005)
Bailey's Billion$ (2005)
Kinsey (2004)
Rugrats Go Wild (2003)
Ritual (2002)
The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)
Neko no ongaeshi (2002)
The Soundrel’s Wife (2002)
Scary Movie 2 (2001)
Charlie's Angels (2000)
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie – Rugrats II (2000)
Sorted (2000)
Four Dogs Playing Poker (2000)
Lion of Oz (2000)
Pirates of the Plain (1999)
Robots of Mars (1999)
The Rugrats Movie (1998)
McHale's Navy (1997)
Lover's Knot (1996)
Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
Congo (1995)
The Pebble and the Penguin (1995)
The Shadow (1994)
The Three Musketeers (1993)
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (1993)
FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Passed Away (1992)
Oscar (1991)
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Pass the Ammo (1988)
Clue (1985)
Legend (1985)
The Ploughman's Lunch (1983)
Annie (1982)
Times Square (1980)
The Shout (1978)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)