I love sharing things my family has done and I know I told you about the night David took Travi his son (Travis) and me to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth.
Even though I had seen the movie on tv I had never seen it in a Theater before and I’d never seen anything like it before which was a interactive movie where the audience participates. Because of this Travis and I left with big Vs on our foreheads.
And we had a whole lot of fun. This is one of m favorite memories with David and Travis. But here’s the thing about Tim Curry: If the only character you know him for is Dr. Frank-N-Furter, you are missing a lot.
Which I admit I was. Not Charlie and David they knew him from several movies including It and Pennywise which if you know me you know I’m not going to watch. How about you. Do you watch Horror movies?
For those that didn’t know Tim Curry had one of those careers where you could spend years watching movies and television and suddenly realize, Wait a minute… THAT was Tim Curry? So today, we’re going back through some of his most memorable roles.
1. Dr. Frank-N-Furter — The Rocky Horror Picture Show– Obviously, we have to start here. Dr. Frank-N-Furter is the role that made Tim Curry a legend for generations of Rocky Horror fans.
And after experiencing an interactive showing myself, I understand why people don’t simply watch this movie. They experience it. Frank-N-Furter is outrageous, theatrical and completely unforgettable. And honestly, I can’t wait to see Charlie’s face if I ever take him to a showing.
2. Pennywise — It– If you grew up around horror movies, there is a good chance you know this one. Tim Curry played Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It.
And somehow, he managed to take something that should have been silly—a clown—and make it terrifying. That is a talent. Because after seeing Tim Curry as Pennywise, you looked at a clown a little differently.
3. Wadsworth — Clue– Now we go from terrifying to hilarious. Tim Curry played Wadsworth, the butler, in Clue. And if you have seen the movie, you know that Wadsworth isn’t just standing around carrying trays.
He’s running. He’s explaining. He’s trying to keep everybody from killing everybody else. And he’s doing it with that wonderful Tim Curry energy. Clue is one of those movies that gets funnier the more you watch it, and Curry’s performance is a huge reason why.
4. Long John Silver — Muppet Treasure Island– This is one that people sometimes forget. But if you asked David besides The Rocky Horror Picture Show I bet this is the movie of Tim Curry’s he would want to most watch because he is a huge Muppet’s fan.
Tim Curry played Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island. Yes. Tim Curry + the Muppets. And somehow, it worked perfectly. He could be dramatic, funny, mischievous and larger than life, which made him a wonderful match for the Muppet world.
5. Nigel Thornberry — The Wild Thornberrys– And here’s one that may surprise you. If you watched The Wild Thornberrys, you heard Tim Curry even if you didn’t see him. He provided the voice of Nigel Thornberry, the eccentric British wildlife documentarian and father of the family.
So while you might recognize his face from Rocky Horror, Clue or It, you may have spent hours listening to Tim Curry’s voice without even realizing it. And that’s really the point. Tim Curry wasn’t just one character.
He was one of those performers who could completely disappear into whatever role he was playing. A horror villain. A cult icon. A butler. A pirate. An animated father. And so many more.
That’s why remembering Tim Curry isn’t about remembering just one movie. It’s about realizing how many times this incredibly talented actor may have crossed our lives without us even noticing.
For me, though, he’ll always have a special place because of that night at the Ridglea Theater. The night David introduced Travi and me to Rocky Horror Picture Show without quite explaining what we were getting ourselves into.
The night we walked into that theater as Rocky Horror virgins… And walked out with Vs on our foreheads. Some memories stay with you. And some actors become part of those memories. Tim Curry was one of them.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
