Tim Curry as the Criminologist in the 2016 made for TV movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again” {image via Fox}

What do you say to someone who has played the scandalous Dr. Frank-N-Furter,  dozens of Disney cartoon characters, William Shakespeare, Gomez Addams, Pennywise, and God Himself?  Well, here at SCIFI.radio, we say, “Happy Birthday, Tim Curry!”

The versatile Tim Curry turns 75 today, which makes this the perfect day to celebrate him and his career.  If you’re a fan of science fiction / fantasy / horror (SFFH) movies or a fan of animation, you’ve seen or heard Curry too many times to count.  He’s had over 200 film and television roles, ranging from Darth Sidious in Star Wars: The Clone Wars to Dr. Doolittle in The Voyages of Young Dr. Doolittleto Nigel Thornberry in The Wild Thornberriesto Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist.  His stage roles are legion, with three Tony nominations.

  • Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist
  • Rooster Hannigan in Annie
  • Darkness in Legend
  • Rev. Ray Porter in Pass the Ammo
  • Pennywise in It
  • Captain Hook in Peter Pan and the Pirates (for which he won an Emmy)
  • Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers
  • Skullmaster in Mighty Max
  • Slagar the Cruel in Redwall
  • Billy Flynn in Criminal Minds

However, Curry’s most famous role is as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  He created the role for the London stage, reprised the role on stage in New York City and Los Angeles, and then starred in the movie version.

Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter

British actor Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

Ironically, Tim Curry, who is world famous for his villainous roles and his “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania,” is also a major voice actor for Nickelodeon and Disney.  Admittedly, the majority of his cartoon roles are also villains, but he has voiced characters for Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja, Ben 10, Wonder Pets, Young Justice, Transformers: Rescue Bots,  Phineas & Ferb, Barbie and the Three Musketeers, Scooby Doo and the Goblin King, Xyber 9: New Dawn, Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, Higglytown Heroes, Voltron: The Third Dimension, and many more.

He’s even taken a turn at being a pop star, releasing three solo albums. 

Tim Curry was born April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, England.  He currently resides in Toluca Lake, California.  After suffering a stroke in 2012, he uses a wheelchair now. 

His career has slowed down since his stroke, but has not stopped. He’s currently cast as the voice of Necrofer the Death Bringer in the animated feature Dagon: Troll World Chronicles.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Curry. Keep the faith.

-30-

 

Susan Macdonald
Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress ”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions,  Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.