Tim Curry Dead at 80: The Line Princess Diana Whispered to Him About Rocky Horror That He Never Forgot

Tim Curry, the English actor best known for playing Dr Frank‑N‑Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died aged 80 at his Los Angeles home. Among the memories he cherished most was a quietly cheeky line Diana, Princess of Wales once whispered to him about the cult musical: 'It very much completed my education.'

Curry died on Tuesday, with no cause of death immediately disclosed. Police who attended his home said foul play was not suspected.

He had experienced serious health problems since a major stroke in 2012, after which he used a wheelchair following brain surgery. Beyond Frank‑N‑Furter, his screen roles included Pennywise in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King's It, Wadsworth in Clue and the concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Princess Diana's Rocky Horror Line

Curry recalled the meeting during an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He said Charles and Diana met the cast of Love For Love, in which he was appearing, after watching the play.

Diana arrived in a blue sequinned dress and asked whether anyone from wardrobe was available, saying: 'My dress is deconstructing, I've got a trail of sequins all the way from the royal box.' She and Charles were then introduced to the cast one by one.

Curry said Charles told him: 'I think I've seen you on television.' The actor replied: 'Well, I hope I didn't bore you, sir.'

Diana then recognised Curry from The Rocky Horror Show. When he replied that he did not imagine she had seen it, she said: 'No, of course, I did, it very much completed my education.'

The exchange provides a rare royal footnote to Curry's best-known performance. He said the film gave audiences 'permission to behave badly', or, in the words of his character, 'to swim the warm waters of the sins of the flesh'.

Why Tim Curry Never Chased Stardom

In a 2025 CBS News interview, Curry said he had initially been attracted by fame but later came to 'rather despise it'. He said he was a 'purist' about acting and wanted to disappear into a role rather than become a celebrity personality.

Curry said he was not interested in 'insta‑fame' and simply wanted 'to be good at it'. That approach helps explain his work across theatre, cult cinema, television and voice acting rather than a conventional Hollywood‑star path.

The CBS interview also gave his account of the 2012 medical emergency. Curry said he was receiving a massage when the therapist became concerned and called for medical help, despite him feeling no pain or noticing symptoms.

He later learned in hospital that he had suffered a stroke and underwent serious brain surgery. Curry had to relearn how to speak and retained limited use of his left arm and, at times, his left leg.

Rocky Horror's Enduring Legacy

Curry said The Rocky Horror Picture Show gave audiences 'permission to behave badly'. He said it invited them 'to swim the warm waters of the sins of the flesh'.

The film remained central to his public identity across a career spanning theatre, film, television and voice work. Curry was also the first actor to play King Arthur in the Broadway and West End productions of Monty Python's Spamalot.

His account of meeting Diana and later reflections on recovery reveal the broad reach of his work and the health crisis that shaped his later life. Frank-N-Furter remained the performance most closely identified with his name.