Carol Burnett and Rosie O’Donnell were among the stars honoring Tim Curry after the actor died August 26 at age 80.
Burnett remembered Curry as both a longtime friend and a gifted performer. The pair worked together in the 1982 film Annie, where Curry played Rooster Hannigan.
Carol Burnett and Rosie O’Donnell pay tribute to Tim Curry after his death
“We had such a wonderful time working together on Annie,” Burnett wrote on Instagram. “Nobody could play lovable villains better than he could. He was a dear friend. I was blessed to know him.”
O’Donnell kept her tribute brief, sharing a photo of Curry alongside the words, “Sweetest man.”
Curry built a career around memorable characters, including Frank-N-Furter in 1975’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He also played Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of It, making Tim Curry Pennywise another lasting part of his screen legacy.
His connection to The Rocky Horror Picture Show continued decades after its release. Curry attended the movie’s 50th anniversary celebration in September 2025 and discussed what its message meant to audiences.
“I think the message of the film—don’t dream it, be it—is very important,” Curry said. He also said the film’s impact on the LGBTQ+ community “means a lot.”
Several former co-stars joined Carol Burnett and Rosie O’Donnell in remembering him. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York co-star Rob Schneider called Curry a “truly gifted performer of stage and screen.”
Lesley Ann Warren, who appeared with Curry in Clue, remembered him as a close friend and collaborator. “I adored him. Bless his wild and inspired soul. Love you Tim,” she wrote.
Christopher Lloyd shared a photo of his Clue co-star with a broken-heart emoji, while Guillermo del Toro wrote, “Goodnight Sweet Myth…”
Curry largely kept his personal life private after suffering a stroke in 2012. His final on-screen cameo came in the 2024 film Stream. He had also spoken openly about disliking fame and valuing the ability to keep his personal life away from public attention.
His death prompted tributes from performers across film, television and theater, reflecting the range of roles he took on throughout his career.