Byline: Mia Molfetta
Actor Tim Curry passed away on Aug. 25, leaving behind a legacy of over 240 performance credits in movies and on stage.
Curry was a widely beloved cinematic icon known for his appearances in movies and television shows like “Clue,” “It,” “Home Alone 2,” “Criminal Minds,” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
After suffering a near fatal stroke in 2012, Curry was left paralyzed on the left side of his body and required the use of an electric wheelchair for mobility. As a result, he began to focus on rehabilitation, as well as taking a big step back from physical actor work, switching to voice acting.
Curry was a bright person who cared deeply for the communities he represented on the big screen. The community most affected by his passing is the LGBTQIA+ community.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” debuted the prominently queer character, Dr. Frank N Furter, who has stood as a symbol of hope for the LGBTQIA+ community since the movie’s release in 1975.
From a mad scientist’s singing of being “just a sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania,” to showing sexual awakenings between the main characters, Janet and Brad. The movie also opened doors with its provocative costume design.
The love of fishnets, corsets and dramatic makeup did not end with Frank N Furter – from then to now, a love of the wardrobe pays tribute to Curry’s portrayal.
The movie paid homage to science fiction genre B-movies from the 1950s, the glamrock fashion movement of the early 1970s and most importantly the gay liberation social movement after the violence of the Stonewall Riots in 1969.
If you haven’t seen “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, it is filled with antici…pation. You should watch it, and if you have you know what I mean!
Movies like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” became iconic in great part because of Tim Curry’s bold performances and commitment to portraying his characters unashamedly.
Curry passed away at the age of 80 of coronary artery disease.