Singer and Emmy-winning actor Tim Curry, best known for roles as “Frank-N-Furter” in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Wadsworth in “Clue” and Rooster in “Annie,” died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 80.

Along the way, he appeared in a number of notable projects adapted from literary works. 

In 1986, the character actor starred as the Grand Wizard in the Halloween TV movie “The Worst Witch,” based on the 1974 novel by Jill Murphy.

Curry starred as the terrifying Pennywise the clown in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 novel “It.”  In 1990, he also starred as the intense medical officer Dr. Petrov in the adaptation of Tom Clancy’s 1984 novel “The Hunt for Red October.”

He played the corrupt Cardinal Richelieu in the 1993 film “The Three Musketeers,” which was based on the Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel.

In 1995, he played Herkermer Homolka, who is determined to find the lost city of Zinj, in “Congo,” an adaptation of Michael Crichton’s 1980 novel of the same name.

He joined the Muppets in the 1996 film “Muppet Treasure Island,” based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 adventure tale “Treasure Island.” Curry played Long John Silver. 

Curry voiced curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge in 1997’s animated special “A Christmas Carol,” based on the popular Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella.

About the writer

S.Lynn Bonanno’s childhood crushes in the 1980s included Tim Curry as the evil Rooster in “Annie” and David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King in “Labyrinth.” She does not feel the need to explain herself, but she will say that she has closely followed Curry’s career since and always admired his dedication to his over-the-top roles.