'A good egg': Rocky Horror's Richard O’Brien pays tribute to 'wonderful' Tim Curry

Author: Jack Marshall,
Publish Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 9:57am

Richard O'Brien (left) with actor and singer Tim Curry at the Savoy Hotel in London, 1973. Photo / Getty Images

Richard O’Brien, the creator of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has paid tribute to Tim Curry after the actor’s death at 80, describing his longtime collaborator as “a good egg and class act”.

“It is with an exceptionally sad heart and misted-up eyes that I share these words with you,” O’Brien told the Herald.

“Tim Curry was a wonderful man by nature who was also a wonderful performer and understood the difference between such delightful achievements.

“He never sought attention and never put himself before the roles that he played. He was, in short, a good egg and class act.

“It was both a privilege and delight to have known him and worked with him.

“Rest in peace dear Tim.”

Richard O'Brien (left) with actor and singer Tim Curry at the Savoy Hotel in London, 1973. Photo / Getty Images

Curry died at his Los Angeles home. The actor had faced ongoing health challenges since suffering a major stroke in 2012.

He was known for playing Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It.

Across a career spanning more than five decades, Curry built an extensive body of work that stretched across film, television, theatre, animation and voice acting.

‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ star Tim Curry dead at 80

His film credits included Annie, Clue, Legend, The Hunt for Red October, The Three Musketeers, Congo, Addams Family Reunion and Scary Movie 2.

During a TV interview last year, he reflected on mortality with characteristic humour and candour.

“I don’t fear death. I try to avoid it. I think we all do, but I suspect that in the end, I will welcome it,” Curry said.

“I think it may be very comforting to go bye-bye, and I want to earn it.”

Richard O'Brien (left) and Tim Curry attending the 15th Anniversary Celebration of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in California, 1990. Photo / Getty Images

O’Brien moved from England to New Zealand at the age of 10. His upbringing in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty directly inspired the cult classic, particularly his time working as a barber in Hamilton.

O’Brien’s son, Linus, noted in a 2025 documentary that if Curry hadn’t defined the role in the original stage production, “Rocky would not be what it is today”.

He even beat out Mick Jagger, who was once in the running for Dr Frank-N-Furter, for the role as the iconic alien transvestite mad scientist.

O’Brien previously told the Hollywood Reporter that Curry was responsible for much of the show’s longevity.

“I’ve really got to be most grateful to Tim Curry,” he said. “I often think, if it had been anybody other than Tim, I wonder whether it would have had the legs that it’s had.”