There are probably at least a couple of roles of Tim Curry’s that you could name. The British legend is definitely one of the most versatile supporting actors in the industry, and the go-to guy for quirky, creepy, and off the wall characters. The thing we love best about Tim is that when you dip into his back catalog, there is something for everyone. No matter what kind of films you’re into, the sheer range and experimentation of this man are such that you can’t help but like him.
In fact, people reckon you can tell a lot about someone by whatever their favorite Tim Curry movie is. To be honest, it would be tough to narrow it down to a single choice, but we think the list below encapsulates our list of favorites. As he turned 71 this year, we felt it was important to look back on some of the best and most famous Tim Curry roles.
IT (1990)
Curry terrified a generation of children and adults with his demented role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the TV miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s It. The adaptation aired on television in 1990 and starred John Ritter. The recent remake of IT was excellent in a lot of ways, but it was not quite up to scratch with the original. And, the biggest reason for the success of the original was the performance of Curry. Creepy, unsettling, and genuinely scary, he absolutely chews the scenery, from start to finish. Altogether, “They ALLLLL float!!!”
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Heading into blockbuster territory, Curry had a small, supporting, but certainly iconic role in the sequel to the 1990 smash-hit movie Home Alone. The sequel is just a shade less good than the original, and we love Curry’s role as a sleazy and nosy hotel concierge. The character seems like someone Curry has great fun portraying, and certainly gets his comeuppance at the end. If you’ve not seen Home Alone 2, we definitely recommend you check out this family-friendly classic.
Legend (1985)
This was one of the earliest roles in which Curry had to don loads of makeup and play some supernatural being. It would be his trial run for IT, and it’s actually a really excellent dark fantasy movie. Ridley Scott directs a young Tom Cruise in this movie about the ultimate battle between good and evil, with Curry portraying the Devil! He plays the Lord of Darkness so well it’s actually a pretty creepy movie, and one of those under-the-radar gems. If you ever have a free evening, and Legend comes on the TV, you need to make sure you check it out.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Cult classic movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is one of the most popular and iconic movies ever and has proven hugely influential in the world of film. Curry also enjoyed one of his best roles in this film, playing the part of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in this cult classic. The movie has a devoted and fanatical following, and still enjoys screenings to this day. This is largely credited as the movie that shot Tim Curry to stardom and launched his successful and renowned career.
Tim Curry is one of the most famous and recognizable actors in the business and has shown his ability in an array of diverse roles. Whether playing human characters or buried beneath intricate makeup, his performances are nothing less than mesmerizing. We think this is a list of some of the best movies in his back catalog.
