Tim Curry Biography
Timothy James Curry, 19 April 1946, Grappenhall, Cheshire, England. A versatile actor and singer, with much flair and a dashing style, Curry studied drama and English at Birmingham University. In the 60s, he was a member of the Royal Shakespeare company, and joined the cast of Hair early on in its run. After appearing in a supporting role in the 1970 flop musical, Lie Down, I Think I Love You, three years later he created the role of the outrageous Frank 'N' Furter in Richard O'Brien's phenomenally successful The Rocky Horror Show. In 1975, he reprised the part in the short-lived New York production, and starred in the film adaptation which was entitled The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In 1981 Curry was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the title role of the Broadway production of Amadeus, and in the following year received a Variety Club Award when he played the role of the Pirate King, with George Cole and Bonnie Langford, in a West End revival of The Pirates Of Penzance. In 1986 he was "bold, muscular and in fine ample baritone voice" as Macheath in the UK National Theatre's The Threepenny Opera, and two years later played Bill Sibson in the US tour of Me And My Girl. In 1993, Curry received another Tony nomination for his performance as the ageing and alcoholic swashbuckler Alan Swann in My Favorite Year. The musical, which had a book by Joseph Dougherty and a score by Lynn Ahrens And Stephen Flaherty, was based on the 1982 Peter O'Toole movie of the same name. Negative revues forced its closure after 37 performances, but Curry's own film career has flourished since the mid-70s. As well as his on-screen performances, on numerous occasions he has provided the voice for feature and television productions. These have included the voice of the evil spirit Hexxus who sang Thomas Dolby's "Toxic Love" in FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992). Three years later he was the voice of the "macho, strutting Drake" in MGM's animated The Pebble And The Penguin. Curry has appeared extensively on television, especially in the USA, in films or television series such as Oliver Twist (1982, as Bill Sikes), The Worst Witch (1986), Wiseguy (1989), The Three Musketeers (1993), Daisy-Head Mayzie (1995), Mighty Ducks (1996), and Charlie's Angels (2000).
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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