From Dr Frank-N-Furter to Long John Silver, these are Tim Curry’s nine most memorable roles

When Tim Curry first pulled on his fishnets and uttered the word “antici … pation ” through bold cherry-red lips, cult cinema was forever transformed. The British actor, who died at the age of 80 on Wednesday, brought a whole new meaning to camp and eccentricity as Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show film.

But the lingerie-clad Transylvanian doctor was only one of many faces Curry wore. Throughout his decades-long career, the actor took on scheming 1930s villains, nosy hotel concierges and murderous clowns. He dabbled in voice work, and even won awards for his time on stage. Here are nine of Curry’s most memorable roles.

Curry didn’t just stroll onto the film scene; he burst onto it in sky-high platform heels and a sparkly black corset. His debut film performance as the “sweet transvestite” Dr Frank-N-Furter is arguably his least forgettable role, still enticing massive audiences at dress-up midnight screenings around the world .

Based on The Rocky Horror Show stage musical, the film adaptation follows lost, virginal couple Brad and Janet as they become tangled in a kinky, feverish “mind flip” run by inhabitants of the planet Transsexual. As Frank-N-Furter, Curry plays host – one who constantly wants to get into the couple’s pants – and mad scientist, who attempts to bring the “perfect plaything” to life.

“I can’t imagine a better role to enable me to embrace my contradictions and see them through,” Curry wrote of the role in his 2025 memoir Vagabond . “I learned not to limit myself – artistically, professionally, sexually or mentally.”

Curry cemented his turn as the villain in Annie , the film adaptation of the classic stage musical. Playing “Rooster” Hannigan, a slimy con who pairs up with his girlfriend to pose as an orphan’s parents to filch a massive cash reward, the actor takes on a slick New York brogue, and an even slicker hair-do.

Once again, he pulls out the tunes, singing Easy Street alongside Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters. Here he proved his dance moves were just as strong as his vocal cords, tapping his way upstairs and swinging Peters around as if she weighed nothing. It’s a role that arguably positioned him well for future comedic-skewing (and more age-appropriate) villains.

Never trust the butler. Curry proved a worthy suspect as the butler Wadsworth in Clue , a film version of the murder mystery board game. Six strangers are invited to a New England mansion, only to end up embroiled in a whodunit spectacle after their host Mr Boddy inexplicably shows up dead.

As the butler, Curry aced a particularly physical comedic performance, with many of his exaggerated facial expressions stealing the show. It confirmed his face was truly like putty that he could contort to his heart’s desire.

Despite being directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Cruise, Curry is by far the best thing about this fantasy-adventure film. He plays the Lord of Darkness, a demon of the night who wishes to kidnap a princess and extinguish the world’s light.