Tim Curry’s Iconic Stephen King Performance Officially Floats Up Streaming Charts
Following Tim Curry's death last week at the age of 80, his 1990 performance as Pennywise the clown in the Stephen King miniseries adaptation of "It" has surged back into public attention, with viewers returning to the role to pay tribute to the veteran actor. The renewed interest highlights the enduring impact of Curry's portrayal, widely regarded as one of the most frightening in screen history and credited with instilling a fear of clowns in generations of viewers.
Tommy Lee Wallace's 1990 "It" is currently among the ten most-watched titles on HBO Max in the United States, though it sits behind Bob Odenkirk's new action film "Normal" at the top of the chart. Curry, also known for roles in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", "Clue" and "Home Alone 2", had largely stepped back from acting after a stroke in 2012. His performance as Pennywise later inspired further King adaptations, including Andy Muschietti's 2017 film starring Bill Skarsgård, which grossed over $700 million worldwide to become the highest-grossing horror film ever made.
In short
- Tim Curry died last week aged 80, prompting a viewing surge.
- His 1990 Pennywise role is now a top-ten HBO Max title in the US.
- The role paved the way for 2017's record-breaking "It" film adaptation.
Explained simply
Stephen King’s It is a horror story about a group of children who face a shape-shifting creature that often appears as Pennywise the clown. The 1990 television adaptation was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace and starred Tim Curry as Pennywise.
Curry was an English actor known for roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clue and Home Alone 2. His portrayal of Pennywise became closely associated with the character, and later adaptations included Andy Muschietti’s 2017 film, starring Bill Skarsgård.
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