Richard O’Brien, creator of The Rocky Horror Show, and the current Broadway revival have paid tribute to Tim Curry following the actor’s death aged 80. Curry originated the role of Frank-N-Furter and became closely associated with the character’s lasting cultural impact, making his death significant for the show’s cast, creators and fans.

O’Brien described Curry as a talented, modest and generous performer, calling him “a good egg and class act”. The Broadway production praised Curry’s legacy of freedom and fearlessness, referring to the show’s “Don’t dream it, be it” slogan; its latest revival, which opened at Studio 54 last March, recently grossed $949,446 in its final week with several original cast members.