Tim Curry's Real Name: Timothy James Curry
Tim Curry → Timothy James Curry
Quick answer: Tim Curry's full name is Timothy James Curry. He was born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, England, and performs under Tim Curry—a shortened form of his birth name (official biography; LOC).
Real name and early life
His official biography and Library of Congress authority data identify Timothy James Curry. Tim is the familiar short form of Timothy; James is the middle name; Curry is the family surname. He was born to Methodist naval chaplain Jim Curry and Maura “Pat” Curry. After his father’s death in 1958 he attended Kingswood School, Bath, on scholarship, then studied drama and English at Birmingham University (1965–1968). His first professional job was in the London production of Hair (1968); producers later sponsored his Equity membership after he had initially claimed experience he did not yet have.
Career highlights
Fellow Hair cast member Richard O’Brien invited him to audition for The Rocky Horror Show; Curry originated Dr. Frank-N-Furter onstage and in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), a lasting cult landmark. Stage work included Tom Stoppard’s Travesties, a Tony-nominated Mozart in Amadeus, and later King Arthur in Spamalot (another Tony nomination). Film and TV range from Darkness in Ridley Scott’s Legend and Wadsworth in Clue to Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries of Stephen King’s It, plus extensive voice work (including an Emmy for Peter Pan and the Pirates). He suffered a major stroke in July 2012 and later used a wheelchair while continuing voice work and public appearances. He died on August 25, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles at age 80; his spokesman later confirmed coronary artery disease as the cause, with a history of stroke and kidney cancer as contributing conditions (Reuters; BBC). Across cult classics and Broadway, billing stayed Tim Curry; the documented full name is Timothy James Curry.
Name notes for searchers
Prefer the official TimCurry.com biography and LOC over fan wikis for birth details. Wikipedia is a pointer after primary citations.
FAQ
What is Tim Curry's full name?
Timothy James Curry.
When and where was he born?
April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, England.
Is Tim a stage name?
Tim is a short form of Timothy; Curry is the family surname.
What is his most famous role?
Dr. Frank-N-Furter in *The Rocky Horror Picture Show*.
Did he play Pennywise?
Yes—in the 1990 television adaptation of *It*.
Has he won a Tony?
He received multiple Tony nominations (including *Amadeus* and *Spamalot*) but is widely celebrated for those performances regardless of win.