The Muppets Honor Tim Curry as an Honorary Muppet
The Muppets have shared a touching tribute to Tim Curry following his passing on Tuesday at the age of 80. The heartfelt statement noted, “Few humans have earned the title of honorary Muppet more than the legendary Tim Curry.” It continued, “As a performer, he was unparalleled – witty, charming, unnerving, and deeply funny. We will always consider it one of our greatest treasures to have been part of Long John Silver’s crew. Thank you for everything, Tim.”
This tribute highlights the deep affection Curry had for the franchise. He portrayed the cunning yet endearing pirate Long John Silver in 1996’s ‘Muppet Treasure Island,’ a musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel. In this film, he worked alongside Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Rizzo as Jim Hawkins’ Muppet companions. Curry often referred to this role as his favorite performance, a remarkable statement considering his extensive filmography of nearly 250 credits over more than five decades.
Curry was a devoted fan of the Muppets long before he joined them on screen. He described the filming of ‘Muppet Treasure Island’ as one of the happiest experiences of his career, praising the “conspicuous lack of ego among the Muppets.” The role also held personal significance for him; his father served as a Naval chaplain, and Curry adopted his grandfather’s West England accent to bring the pirate character to life.
Curry’s connection to Long John Silver extended beyond the film, as he reprised the role in a ‘Muppet Treasure Island’ CD-ROM video game, maintaining his collaboration with director Brian Henson long after the movie’s release. After production, he was gifted a custom Muppet made in his likeness, a cherished keepsake symbolizing his acceptance into the franchise’s close-knit creative family.
Curry passed away Tuesday night at his home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, as confirmed by his longtime manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz. He had faced significant health challenges since a major stroke in 2012, which required brain surgery and left him reliant on a wheelchair. Despite these obstacles, he continued to make public appearances, including at the 50th anniversary screening of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ last September, where he openly discussed his health alongside fellow cast members.
Beyond his work with the Muppets, Curry’s career was marked by unforgettable characters across stage, film, and voice acting. He is best known for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ a performance that turned him into a cult icon after originating the character on the London stage in the early 1970s. He also portrayed the terrifying Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 TV adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘It.’ His extensive credits include ‘Clue,’ ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,’ and ‘Annie,’ along with a body of stage work that earned him a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Mozart in a 1981 Broadway production of ‘Amadeus.’
The Muppets’ tribute is part of a broader wave of condolences from across the entertainment industry following Curry’s death, highlighting the vast impact he had on pop culture throughout his career. For an actor who could both terrify and charm audiences, it’s a fitting tribute that one of his most beloved performances was alongside a crew of felt puppets he cherished since childhood.
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