Chris Morris, writing for Variety:

Tim Curry, who soared to fame in the ‘70s as the flamboyant star of the campy horror movie stage spoof “The Rocky Horror Show” and its screen version “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, Variety has confirmed. He was 80.

Bruce Weber, for The New York Times:

With a mischief-maker’s good looks, a casual athletic grace and a supple and resonant voice, Mr. Curry was a favorite in roles calling for expressive villainy or general cartoonishness.

Tim Curry was one of my favorites, because of his fearless, over-the-top performances. He took everything and nothing seriously.

Last August, in “50 Years of My Favorite Obsession,” I wrote of the lasting impression The Rocky Horror Picture Show had on me:

It felt like a new world had opened up, that I’d found my people. That it was OK to be weird and goofy and obsessed. It stuck with me like few other movie experiences.

Tim Curry’s exquisitely arch, emotionally unbalanced, yet eminently lovable Frank-N-Furter was the driving force behind that. He managed to be both decadently wicked and heartachingly vulnerable. And he did it with a devilish smirk.

As much as I absolutely adore Curry in RHPS, I find his TV guest appearances to be equally delightful. See, for example, the odious Nigel St. Nigel in Psych, the execrable Dale “The Whale” in Monk, or the lascivious Marion Finster in Will and Grace. Curry positively luxuriated in his portrayals of charming villainy or acerbic scoundrels. I found him utterly captivating.

On the day I went away (goodbye…)

Was all I had to say (now I…)

I want to come again and stay (Oh my my…)

Smile and that will mean that I may….

’Cause I’ve seen

blue skies

through the tears

in my eyes.

And I realize

I’m going home.