Tim Curry Makes Rare Appearance at 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' 50th Anniversary Reunion
- - Tim Curry Makes Rare Appearance at 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' 50th Anniversary Reunion
Emy LaCroixSeptember 27, 2025 at 11:54 PM
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Tim Curry, 79, made a triumphant return to the stage to reunite with the cast of the 1975 cult classic film Rocky Horror Picture Show, and fans were moved by what he had to say at the special Academy Museum event on September 26. Also in attendance were producer Lou Adler, actor Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors), Patricia Quinn (Magenta), and Nell Campbell (Columbia).
“I’m so excited by this and very honored by the Academy to do this presentation of our movie, which has dragged on for 50 years," he joked in front of the costumed crowd, who gave him a standing ovation, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Besides his introduction, the event also included a special viewing of the film, with goodie bags for purchase that allow fans to interact with the movie, as has become tradition all around the country.
Curry reflected on everything from his larger-than-life character, Dr. Frank-N-Furter's origins to his health. Here's what he had to say:
Tim Curry Reunites With 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' CastmatesGettyTim Curry on Frank-N-Furter's makeup and accent
Curry revealed that he originally did his makeup himself for the stage production of Rocky Horror, but that they brought in professional makeup artist Pierre La Roche for the film. Though he claimed to look like "a back-street hooker" when he did it himself, he feared the screen version of the makeup was "just too polished."
“I was horrified, actually, by his first attempt because I thought I was ready for the runway... I wanted to just kind of smudge it all," he admitted. "But I didn’t dare, because he was a very formidable character.”
He also revealed he toyed with using a German accent for Dr. Frank-N-Furter, but that "evidently bored" director Jim Sharman. "You weren’t allowed to bore him, and if he wasn’t bored, it stayed in," he explained. He found inspiration for the accent fans know and love while eavesdropping on two women on a London bus. “They wanted to sound like the queen," he recalled. "And that seemed appropriate for Frank, really, who clearly thought he was the queen."
Tim Curry Reunites With 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' CastmatesGettyTim Curry on being an LGBTQ icon
Curry has become an LGBTQ icon for his role in the legendary film, something he says “means a lot because I think the message of the film — don’t dream it, be it — is very important."
"One of the things that the movie does, I think, is give anyone permission to behave as badly as they really want, in whatever way and with whom," he added. "And I’m proud of that.”
Tim Curry discusses his health after his 2012 stroke
Curry suffered a stroke in 2012 that left him in a wheelchair, and he joked about the circumstances of his health struggles in his speech. “I was having a massage at the time and I didn’t even actually notice anything," he recalled. "But the guy who was doing the massage said, ‘I’m worried about you, I want to call an ambulance.’"
Curry thought it was "so silly" to call for paramedics, but it turned out to be quite serious. “I still can’t walk, which is why I’m in this silly chair, and that’s very limiting," he said. "So I won’t be singing and I won’t be dancing very soon. I still have real problems with my left leg.”
Where to watch Rocky Horror Picture Show today
If the 50th anniversary of the film has you hankering for a rewatch, you can enjoy catchy songs like "Time Warp," "Sweet Transvestite," and "Science Fiction/Double Feature" by renting it on the following streaming platforms:
Apple TV, free with a regular subscription
Amazon Prime Video: Rent for $2.89 or buy for $14.99
YouTube TV: Rent for $2.99 or buy for $14.99
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
