Tim Curry, Irreplaceable Legend
Tim Curry was a singular talent. Across his decades-long career, Curry was a fearless performer with an extraordinary range who fully committed to every role. Whether he horrified us as a terrifying entity, made us laugh at a character’s absurdities, or brought us to tears following a character in a difficult situation, Curry gave each role his all and improved every project he was in. Given his impressive range, it’s hard to choose just five favorite roles.
He was memorable as Hexxus, ecological devastation incarnate, in FernGully: The Last Rain Forest. He was a load of fun as conman “Rooster” Hannigan in Annie. He anchored so many of Home Alone 2: Lost In New York‘s best scenes as Mr. Hector (“Madam, there are hundreds of parasites out there, armed to the teeth.”). While you should watch his every performance and decide for yourself, here’s our list of Tim Curry’s five best performances… with one extra credit.
6. Col. Cherdenko, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
The brief video game role that launched a thousand gifs, Curry’s turn as Col. Cherdenko in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is Curry at his most deliciously campy best. The game is set in an alternate reality world where Western Allies face off against a Soviet Union, the latter looking to travel back in time and kill Albert Einstein before his scientific prowess helps the allies. Wearing a Russian military uniform and sporting a Russian-ish accent, a cutscene sees Cherdenko explain that he’s “escaping to the one place that hasn’t been corrupted by capitalism,” followed by a considerable pause as Curry clearly struggles to play it straight, before unleashing a full-throated “SPACE!” Most deliciously, he clearly almost breaks character the entire time, becoming an endearing delivery of an all-time great, over-the-top line.
5. Lord of Darkness, Legend
It takes something special to play the mysterious Lord of Darkness, the chief villain of Ridley Scott’s Legend. With an intimidatingly massive, bright red visage (and a giant set of horns), Curry feels truly evil, manipulative, and seductive as the light-hating underworld ruler, and yet there’s still vulnerability when he falls for Lily. It’s a menacing turn for Curry, who still manages to find layers to an evil supernatural threat. Curry’s notorious charms also contribute to the villain’s seductive energy, which here has more gravitas than the chaotic predations of his other supernatural villains (like Pennywise). It’s an exemplary anchor for one of the most memorable original fantasy films of the 80s.
4. Wadsworth, Clue
Curry’s comedic timing is in full force as the butler Wadsworth in Clue. Able to dryly deliver even the most absurd lines (“I was in the hall… I know because I was there”) with spot-on timing and brilliant facial expressions, Wadsworth is the glue that makes Clue work. It all culminates in the films’ best scene, where Wadsworth runs through the mansion explaining how all the murders were done, reenacting the whole thing with the rest of the cast following. It’s a fantastic demonstration of his comedic skill, command of tone, timing, and physicality, a masterclass of comedic ability.
3. Long John Silver, Muppet Treasure Island
Tim Curry’s best roles take advantage of the full range of his talents–he can be silly, kind, gleeful, malicious, and dangerous all within a matter of seconds if need be. Curry delivers all that as Long John Wilver in Muppet Treasure Island, a charming and seemingly kind man-turned-treacherous ne’er-do-well. Despite being dangerous and deceptive, Curry still creates a villain who seems to authentically care for young protagonist Jim, while also being able to ratchet up the silliness to work against a crew of beloved Muppets. One of the few actors who could actually meet the Muppets’ chaotic energy, which is why he was recently declared an ‘honorary muppet’ upon his recent passing.
2. Pennywise/It, It
The 1990 It miniseries made an entire generation afraid of clowns. The ABC miniseries got a lot right in its adaptation of Stephen King’s classic horror masterpiece, though it suffered from the limitations of the TV format, the era, and its budget. It’s impossible to watch it now and not wish it had a little less censorship and a bit higher budget, but it boasts one element that still stands the test of time: Tim Curry’s electric and unforgettable performance. Able to portray the ever-shapechanging cosmic terror with a clown’s face, Curry can easily alternate between seeming innocent enough to entice a kid to the sewers or being vicious enough to provoke true fear. What’s best about his Pennywise turn beyond the range, however, is the layer of gleeful malevolence… you believe he delights in the protagonists’ suffering. All of this is a testament to Curry’s skill, transcending the limitations of the era to create an all-time great interpretation of one of King’s greatest villains.
1. Dr. Frank-N-Furter, The Rocky Horror Picture Show
There’s no character quite like the pansexual Transylvanian mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a force of chaotic hedonism that disrupts the lives of Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Many factors simply work about the film, from catchy tunes to a transgressive and entertaining plot, but foremost among these elements is Tim Curry’s legendary turn as the “sweet transvestite” character who can literally “make you a man” in seven days. Curry gives the role outlandish bravado that sells the role of ‘antagonistic temptor,’ creating interesting and complex layers for his drag-wearing character. It’s a bold, always entertaining characterization that wouldn’t work without Curry’s willingness to embrace the character without hesitation.
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