Tim Curry has died

(theguardian.com)

208 points | by mykowebhn 2 hours ago ago

75 comments

  • TallGuyShort an hour ago

    I often chuckle at the observation that Tim Curry and Michael Caine's respective roles in the Muppet films were so beloved because Michael Caine acted like all the muppets were real actors, and Tim Curry acted like he was a muppet. He would have an impressive range of serious / comedic roles anyway, but I admire the ability for an actor that successful to be able to put himself be in such a silly role that well too.

  • 120bits 3 minutes ago

    My first movie that introduced me to Tim Curry was Home Alone 2. It was maybe first few Hollywood Movies that I watched with parents(non-english speaking).

    Now I'm 42yrs old, and when my parents visit me, I watch Home Alone 2 with them. It has somewhat become a family tradition now.

    Thank you Tim for such a memorable moments. Great actor!

  • WalterBright 21 minutes ago

    > Curry had a stroke while receiving a massage

    This happened to an acquaintance of mine. He had a pain in his neck, and went to a chiropractor. The chiropractor massaged his neck, which released a blot clot that went into his brain and gave him a stroke. His life afterwards was severely degraded. He was only in his 40s.

    I'll never let a chiropractor touch me.

  • callumprentice an hour ago

    I was a fan since university when someone down the corridor would have The Rocky Horror Picture Show playing all the time...

    Imagine my delight at seeing him on a packed London Tube one morning on my way to work. He asked to get by and I said something like "Just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right?" waiting for him to burst into song with the whole carriage joining in..

    He just scowled and pushed past - still made my day though :)

    • wolfi1 an hour ago

      I and a fellow clerk at a polling station realized that it would be only 15 minutes to the opening and we were the only ones manning it. he began: " it's astounding, time is fleeting" I joined in "madness takes its toll" we continued to the chorus, some seconds before the opening the other people managed to be there and we had our fun, too

  • skullone 21 minutes ago

    I remember when a group of friends went to see Rocky Horror at Clinton Street theater here in Portland, not having any idea what we were getting ourselves into. What a memory. Rest in peace Tim Curry

  • rglover 2 minutes ago

    RIP. Great actor. I went from knowing him first in Home Alone 2 as a kid and then later in RHPS (always gave me a chuckle to be like "wait...is that the guy from Home Alone?!").

  • cestith 42 minutes ago

    Annie, Clue, Command & Conquer, Criminal Minds, Legend, Muppets Treasure Island, Rocky Horror Picture Show

    He was an icon. It’s said you can tell a lot about a person by from where they recognize him.

    • ColinWright 2 minutes ago

      He was brilliant in "Oscar".

      (Sorry, just noticed the older sibling comment said the same thing)

    • a4isms 31 minutes ago

      Smaller role, but he was brilliant in "Oscar" with Marissa Tomei and some guy who was nominated for an Oscar in 1977 for the screenplay to "Rocky."

      Absolutely nobody else could make the word "elocution" sound so luxuriously redolent of desire.

  • petethomas an hour ago

    In 1979 Curry had a Billboard Hot 100 song in the U.S. called "I Do The Rock" https://archive.org/details/TimCurryIDoTheRock

    • wolfi1 40 minutes ago

      time and again they still play it on the radio in my country, it's still somewhat popular

  • shdon an hour ago

    Apart from RHPS, his role in Clue was a highlight for me. And him giving Gabriel Knight.

    • bena 16 minutes ago

      I'm the butler, I like to keep the kitchen tidy.

  • erickhill 40 minutes ago

    I know most folks think of other films, but his performance in Ridley Scott's Legend as the grumble-cackling lust driven red-faced demon is a core memory for me. Grew up watching and admiring that film and especially Mr. Curry's portrayal of that character so many times. Because of him.

    • jonhohle 30 minutes ago

      Legend is amazing and his character is still one of the most impactful practical effects I’ve seen.

      I was always happy to hear his voice work in shows as well. Mighty Max and Super Samurai Syber Squad being among my favorite.

      He’s fantastic in Clue as well.

  • ClassAndBurn an hour ago

    He will always be the Pirate in Muppet Treasure Island to me. Thanks for everything you gave the world

  • lubujackson an hour ago

    "Clue" was my favorite Tim Curry performance. Such a great actor, will be missed.

    • BLKNSLVR an hour ago

      I just love Clue. Understated and the exact opposite in equal measure. Just a great comedic movie, all held together masterfully by Curry.

      I rewatch it every few years, still love it.

      "No meaning yes!?"

  • LetsGetTechnicl 23 minutes ago

    Losing Dolly Parton and Tim Curry back to back my heart can't take it

  • Sparkyte 31 minutes ago

    His voice has a huge impact on so many forms of media from video games, movies, tv shows and radio. I'll miss him. I've been missing him since he couldn't use his distinct voice for many years. Miss him more that he is no longer with us.

  • rubiquity an hour ago

    RIP. I always think of him for his performance in Home Alone 2.

  • ectoloph 2 hours ago

    This is sad news, he was a very good actor.

    One of my favourite roles I've seen him in was as Trymon in the TV version of Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic.

    • a4isms 30 minutes ago

      As posted on Mastodon: “If I see Trump start walking around in Tim Curry’s hat or shoes, there will be trouble. Terrible, retributive trouble.”

    • PaulHoule 2 hours ago

      Great show!

  • losvedir 18 minutes ago

    Everyone's got their Tim Curry role that defines him. For me it's from The Three Musketeers. Though Nigel Thornberry is a close second.

    You can probably identify the age of every commenter in this thread based on the particular role that sits with them.

  • julnepht 17 minutes ago

    He was also very good as Pennywise the clown in the TV version of IT in the nineties...

  • rhdunn an hour ago

    Will they send him ... TO SPAAACE?!

  • Teknoman117 4 minutes ago

    Sadly space has now been corrupted by capitalism

  • billbrown 39 minutes ago

    For me, his best work was Muppet Treasure Island. I'm glad I watched this BTS video with him: I had no idea he had a stroke in 2012 and hasn't acted since.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzU8f4HaQw0

  • jojogeo an hour ago

    RIP.

    The 'Wilderness Girls' scene in Loaded Weapon 1 will forever be in my heart and laughter; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRN2spEualo

  • changoplatanero 41 minutes ago

    Tim Curry as the pirate king in Pirates of Penzance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWzqcele1tY

  • whstl an hour ago

    I will always be grateful for his performance as Gabriel Knight, my favorite game of all time. Not only he was one of the pioneers in the medium, but the performance itself is still one of the greatest of all time.

  • greenowl an hour ago

    Stop eating my sesame cake!

  • Grimeton 40 minutes ago

    RIP. Poor guy. Slipped on a cuppa tea and broke his neck while hitting the dining room table on his way down.

  • flippyhead an hour ago

    And don't forget Legend!

  • WalterBright 19 minutes ago

    I apologize to women named Janet.

  • esafak 37 minutes ago

    I've read that Rocky Horror screenings were something of an event, but I have not experienced it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rocky_Horror_Picture_Show_...

    • a4isms 25 minutes ago

      In the 1970s, a bunch of us would have marathon sessions playing this newfangled game called "Dungeons and Dragons." It was a box set then, AD&D was yet to come. We played in a games club on Yonge Street in Toronto, and just down the street as the kind of sleazy movie theatre that played "Swedish Naturist" movies and any other porn or porn-adjacent films they could get away with.

      On Saturdays, we would play until about 11:45, lock the club up, and go to the theatre, where they would show The Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight. It was semi-wild. A few people would be there in costume, and lots of people would shout out the most famous lines.

      I enjoyed it, and ended up making a minor contribution to the atmosphere: I started brining a water pistol along, and when there was rain in the movie, I'd fire it upwards, waving it randomly so other patrons would get a little sprinkle.

      People liked that kind of thing!

    • zer00eyz 23 minutes ago

      They were great.

      Some of the modern criticism of it is rather harsh. The complaints about predatory tropes, and lack of consent miss the whole point.

      It is an outlandish piece of fiction, mixed with satire. It's just ment to be ridiculous and fun.

      It's why people turned the whole midnight showing into an event. You either got what it was, and went to laugh and have a good time or you were just too stiff and didn't get it. The whole scene was great for suburban queer and gay kids who might not have had another outlet or gathering place.

      I was lucky to have experienced it in the 80's and 90's in a few states. The relative homogeny of the crowed across states and venues was shocking. It was always a great way to "find your people" when you went somewhere new.

  • gnuplustoejam 39 minutes ago

    I was horrified that after his stroke they kept rolling him out in a wheelchair to perform for fandom nerds.

    Guy should have been allowed to live the rest of his life in dignity quietly, tending to his garden, not tap dancing for 40+ year old adults still obsessed with "The Time Warp".

    • bmurphy1976 35 minutes ago

      Maybe. I don't have enough context, but maybe that's what he wanted to do? Whatever you may think about it, I'm pretty convinced Ozzy wanted to go out with a big concert. Nobody had to push him to do it.

      • gnuplustoejam 24 minutes ago

        > but maybe that's what he wanted to do

        Even if he did... he was in bad shape and it must have been physically taxing.

        The thought of him feeling obligated to be on stage in front of a room of wide-eyed adult children is particularly sad. This is more a commentary on his fans than Tim himself.

    • ramesh31 35 minutes ago

      >"Guy should have been allowed to live the rest of his life in dignity quietly, tending to his garden, not tap dancing for 40+ year old adults still obsessed with "The Time Warp"."

      You dont become Tim Curry unless you live for the attention. I highly doubt it was against his will. Shatner is still out there doing the theater circuit right now at nearly 100. Those generations in general (Silents and GIs) just had the mindset of "I'll stop working when I'm dead". It was the later Boomers really that latched onto the concept of retirement.

  • EA 29 minutes ago

    Discovered him in Earth 2. 'Ello, poppet.

  • tosh an hour ago

    underrated movie and Tim Curry role:

    Herkermer Homolka in Congo (1995)

    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112715/

    RIP

  • sybercecurity an hour ago

    Tim Curry, Dolly Parton, who is number 3?

    • datakan an hour ago

      Hayden Panettiere was first I guess

      • sybercecurity 14 minutes ago

        Dang, forgot about her. That makes the rule of thumb. Well, until we notice another pattern that isn't there...

      • Insanity an hour ago

        Way too young sadly. :(

    • lproven an hour ago

      There is another 80YO player in Home Alone 2 who is not looking at all well...

      [Fingers crossed]

      • nsxwolf an hour ago

        In case anyone doesn't understand the reference, lproven is hoping that Donald Trump, current President of the United States, who has a bit part in Home Alone 2, dies next.

        • gwd 32 minutes ago

          I think "cameo" is the correct term. He didn't wait in line all day with 1000 others to be an extra; he was asked to be in the movie because of how easily recognizable he is, and he plays himself.

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameo_appearance

          • larrywright 10 minutes ago

            As I understand it, he wasn’t asked to be in the movie but rather he made it a condition of filming in his hotel that he be given a cameo.

          • jmedefind 13 minutes ago

            They didn’t ask him.

            He added it as a requirement to film in the hotel since he owned it at the time.

  • garyhbutton an hour ago

    RIP, he made some great art and my favorite was Rock Horror Picture Show

  • ekianjo 16 minutes ago

    One of his best roles was Darkness in Legend, but seems like everyone has Alzheimer and forgot this great movie from Ridley Scott.

  • dboreham 20 minutes ago

    Had no anticip...ation of that.

  • BatFastard an hour ago

    Brilliant artist! I smile when I hear his name.

  • w4yw34uwauuw a minute ago

    Where is Dang talking about relevant articles? silly bros here jesus

  • fullshark an hour ago

    RIP His soul is escaping to the one place that hasn't been corrupted by capitalism.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Sq1Nr58hM

    • toofy an hour ago

      omg that game!!!

      i forgot about it.

      RIP Tim Curry.

      i went to the symphony last year to see the movie Clue. the symphony played the music while the movie played on the big screen above. i’d never seen the movie, he was as amazing as everything else i’d seen him in.

    • bigstrat2003 an hour ago

      Heaven!

      Honestly, even though that's the only thing I've seen Tim Curry in, it's so strong that he has a fond place in my heart just for that performance. Dude knew how ridiculous it was and was having fun, which is a delight. It's hilarious to me watching him try to keep from cracking up in that scene.

  • idontwantthis 38 minutes ago

    Nigel Thornberry is who I will always think of.

    • puddnutz 30 minutes ago

      That and Hexxus in FernGully were my first introductions to him. I knew his voice long before his name or face.

    • Isamu 16 minutes ago

      This. Awesome voice acting work.

  • ChosenEnd an hour ago

    Rest in peace

  • Mistletoe an hour ago

    Who is the third since they come in 3s? Can we lose one bad one for the two good? I’ve got someone in mind.

  • iwontberude an hour ago

    RIP Premier Cherdenko

  • indianwashlets an hour ago

    His tacky, over the top performance / role in Sorted ruined that otherwise nice movie.

    • nozzlegear 40 minutes ago

      Why use a throwaway to shit on the memory of someone? This is the epitome of tacky.