'Rocky Horror' Star Tim Curry Dead at 80
The Spin
Left narrative
Tim Curry was a legend twice over: a Tony-nominated stage chameleon and the actor who made Frank-N-Furter immortal. In fishnets and mascara he gave outsiders, especially LGBTQ+ people, a midnight ritual of self-acceptance that lasted 50 years. His fearless camp helped a generation celebrate what made them unusual, find their tribe in packed theaters and live openly as themselves.
Right narrative
Since some have unfortunately chosen to politicize Curry's death, it's also important to remember that "Rocky Horror" was not as pro-sexual liberation as many think. Frank-N-Furter is executed for a life "too extreme," and even Dr. Scott says society must be protected. Curry was a brilliant actor of the camp and villain genres, not a mascot for today's culture war, and grief for him is no license to turn an obituary into political score-settling.