Tim Curry

Tim Curry has died, also, like Dolly Parton, on August 25 at the age of 80. It's hard to overstate the cultural importance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, of which Curry was the most vital component. The horror parody film elevated camp to something sharper and more elegant than it had ever been. Curry's transvestite character represented a marked shift in how queer characters could be portrayed onscreen. In this movie, the man dressed as a woman was the cool mastermind while the square heterosexuals were the butt of the joke. Curry's catlike face and infectious smirk succeeded in reorienting audience identification.

His cunning, mischievous presence made him a perennial top choice for villain roles. He was the Pennywise I remember from my childhood. He was one the most noticeable recurring performers in project after project so that, when I was just starting to think about actors and the craft of filmmaking, Curry was one of the first names among supporting players I began to recognise.

In recent years, his performance in 1985's Clue has attracted attention, though I don't have particularly strong memories of that film.

However, Tim Curry in the makeup and prosthetics for Ridley Scott's Legend has long been one of the most indelible images in fantasy. Even people who don't know the movie have probably been at some point struck by the image of Curry in devilish red makeup and enormous black horns. For many it's the most perfect depiction of a devil and has influenced depictions of Satan ever since. No one's ever made it look so good.