Tim Curry, star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, dies at age 80

Tim Curry, the British actor best known for his star turn as Dr Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died at age 80.

Curry, who had struggled with his health for more than a decade after a debilitating stroke, died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, California, according to a statement released by his longtime manager, Marcia Hurwitz, on Wednesday. No cause of death was disclosed.

The actor appeared in numerous movies, often as a hammy villain. He was nominated at the annual Tony Awards three times for Broadway roles and performed voice work in several animated films and television shows.

But his most iconic role was as Frank-N-Furter, a cross-dressing scientist in the rock musical The Rocky Horror Show, which premiered in 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre in London.

He took the show-stopping role to Broadway and then reprised his turn as Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 film adaptation, alongside Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf and Susan Sarandon.

“I’m not much of a man by the light of day. But by night, I’m one hell of a lover. I’m just a sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania,” Curry sang in one scene, dressed in garish eye shadow, black corsetry and stockings topped with a garter belt.

In a 1975 television interview, Curry noted the risk of having his career defined by the role.

“When I read it, I just thought it was very, very witty and funny,” Curry said of the script, although he confessed to some initial reluctance to star in the role.