2 hours ago
10
‘Always had a glorious glint in his eye’
I first saw him in the 1978 series Will Shakespeare, where he played Shakespeare alongside Nicholas Clay. Two very classy actors who, whatever the value of the programme, made me want to know more about the man and his work. Tim Curry always had a glorious glint in his eye which drew you in as if you were the only person who understood. Margaret Carradus, Lancaster
‘A delightful exchange’
My best friend lives down the street from The Dakota building. One night I was waiting for her outside and two nicely dressed, handsome gentleman were walking together. I was holding my very sweet poodle, Honey, in my arms. One of the men, who I then realised was Mr Curry, placed his hand under Honey’s chin and said: “She looks like a delicious peppermint!” We all chuckled as they continued on their way. Quite a delightful exchange. Mary Donaghy, New York, USA
‘That intoxicating mix of humour, high camp, sex and danger’
I’ve always loved Tim Curry. More than any other performer. That intoxicating mix of humour, high camp, sex and danger. So I was excited to spot him in a florist decades ago and told him I was a fan. He was very friendly and said he was buying flowers for the cast of a show he was in – first night presents – and filled the back of his car with them. Jo Glanville, London
‘No other actor could have pulled that role off’
As a child, I remember being captivated and equally terrified seeing him as the grand wizard in The Worst Witch and ever since he has continued to do both. But my favourite character of his has to be Wadsworth in Clue. No other actor could have pulled that role off with its endless dialogue and frenzied physical comedy requirements. A legend in every sense. Robert E Moore, Los Angeles, USA
‘He played a role in my self-acceptance’
One of the first films that stuck with me as a child was FernGully: The Last Rainforest. Tim Curry has been a part of so much of my life. The Rocky Horror Picture Show was so important to me as a queer person and there are no words to describe how important the role of Frank-N-Furter is to me and my freaky relationship with myself and my gender identity. Even at the end of his life, he played a role in my self acceptance. Since I was 10 years old, I have developed a disability that affects my ability to walk, talk, use my hands and arms, and to see and hear. As my mobility and speech declined, he showed me I can still be an icon and contribute to the world even though I’m different and can’t do what everyone else can. Lilly, 22, Penrith
‘He could embody the wildest characters’
I first remember seeing the Rocky Horror Picture Show as a teenager in the Chicagoland area. It blew my mind. I had no idea what to make of it, nor of the costumed people attending. I saw it again several times and couldn’t get enough. After I moved to Japan, I found a copy of the DVD and shared it with friends, all of whom loved it. What always struck me was how he could embody the wildest characters and give them enough depth that you enjoyed them, even if you didn’t like them. The risks he took were admirable. His characters allowed me to explore who I am and appreciate being not the norm. He was a true thespian and a unique person. No one can replace him. Sayonara, Mr Curry, you will be missed and remembered. Joe Guzman, 63, Japan
‘A lovely man’
In 1982, I was Pamela Stephenson’s dresser on The Pirates of Penzance, which starred Tim Curry as the Pirate King. I got tickets for my sister and my nephew, who was seven or eight years old, to see the show. Neither had ever been to a West End production before. At one point during the performance, Tim Curry took a breath during a rousing speech and in that silence, my nephew, entirely carried away by the experience, very audibly shouted his support. Without missing a beat, Tim Curry replied: “Well said, my man!”. A lovely man and I still have my “buckets of blood” badges he distributed to the cast and crew. Gill, East Sussex
‘Charm personified’
I briefly met him, twice, at the stage door of the Palace theatre when he was in Spamalot in 2006. Although clearly tired after his wonderful performance, he was charm personified – and very happy to sign not only my Spamalot pieces, but also some of my Rocky Horror memorabilia. His was the last of the four signatures I needed on my 8x10 of the famous throne scene during Sweet Transvestite in The Rocky Horror Picture Show – now one of the most precious artefacts in my collection. More importantly, I got to say thank you to him for his performances. I’m really glad I did. Speaking to such a hero can be an intimidating experience: there’s a risk they will disappoint. Curry never did. he was every bit as wonderful as he was when he first strode out on stage that night, looked out into the audience, and everyone of us truly believed, “He’s looking directly at me!” Edward Marlowe, 52, London
