On August 14, 1975, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” had its world premiere in cinemas in the United Kingdom. Today, five decades later, the film is regarded as an absolute cult classic. In the United States, where the movie didn’t reach theaters until the end of September, this year is also being celebrated in a big way: on September 26 and 27 the official “Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Convention” will take place—with panels, costume contests, Q&As, and a performance by lead star Tim Curry (79) himself.
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For the Brit, who never married and kept his private life under wraps, the film was his breakthrough on the big screen. Before this, he had already played Dr. Frank N. Furter in the stage musical “The Rocky Horror Show” from 1973 to 1975 in London, Los Angeles, and on Broadway. Curry defined the character with a blend of glittering extravagance, dark humor, and a distinctive voice — a performance that would link him to the cult classic for decades to come.
It was followed by a versatile film and TV career with roles in comedies like “All Murderers Are Already There” (1985), the devilish concierge in “Kevin – Alone in New York” (1992), and chilling appearances as Pennywise the clown in the 1990s TV adaptation of Stephen King’s It. Curry worked with stars like Meryl Streep, Tim Allen, and Whoopi Goldberg, and impressed in both serious and wildly over-the-top roles.
Severe stroke and autobiography
In 2012, the actor suffered a severe stroke that changed his life. Since then he has depended on a wheelchair and is rarely seen in front of the camera. Yet he has remained devoted to the industry, especially as a voice actor in animated series and video games. His unmistakable voice has highlighted roles in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Ben 10,” among others. In public appearances, Curry has since appeared mainly at fan events, conventions, or select interviews — always with palpable joy in connecting with his audience. Despite health challenges, he has preserved his humor, his self-irony, and his love for entertainment. To mark the 50th anniversary, his autobiography “Vagabond” will be released in October, in which he candidly discusses his career, his cult role, and how he has coped with his stroke.
What happened to the other Rocky Horror Picture Show stars?
The other stars from the film have also had dynamic careers: Susan Sarandon (78), who made film history as Janet Weiss, later earned an Oscar for “Dead Man Walking” (1996) and remains one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses. Barry Bostwick (80), who played her film husband Brad Majors, stayed active on Broadway for many years and appeared in numerous TV series and TV movies.
Musician Meat Loaf, who gave an unforgettable performance as the wild motorcycle rocker Eddie, stayed true to his blend of bombastic rock and theatricality — until his death in January 2022. Richard O’Brien (83), the creator of the show and the performer of Riff Raff, remained closely tied to the musical and worked on various revivals. Many of the cast members still pop up at fan conventions today — a sign that the Rocky Horror family remains vibrant even after 50 years. (spot)
