Tim Curry Reflects on Missed Role Opportunities and Career Highlights

Renowned actor Tim Curry has brought to life many memorable characters in cinema, yet he recently disclosed feeling a sense of regret over a particular role he never had the chance to embody. In a conversation featured on “The Academy” YouTube channel, Curry, now 79, took a trip down memory lane to talk about his extensive career spanning over 50 years. A prominent disappointment, he shared, was not even being considered for a role he desired deeply.

“One of my great regrets is that I read the script of ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and I desperately wanted to play Hannibal Lecter,” Curry expressed. “My agent couldn’t get me in the room, but Tony Hopkins did a great job,” he acknowledged.

Anthony Hopkins ultimately took on the iconic role of Hannibal Lecter in the psychological horror film “The Silence of the Lambs,” released on Valentine’s Day in 1991. The film follows FBI cadet Clarice Starling, portrayed by Jodie Foster, as she seeks help from the imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer Lecter to nab another dangerous killer. The movie triumphed at the box office, grossing over $270 million globally, and cleaned up during award season, winning five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Hopkins, and Best Actress for Foster. Hopkins would reprise his role in the sequels “Hannibal” (2001) and the prequel “Red Dragon” (2002).

Initially, Hopkins wasn’t sure about “The Silence of the Lambs,” thinking it was a children’s movie until he read the script. While performing in London in the play “M. Butterfly” in 1989, Hopkins received the script and intensely desired the role after reading just a few pages. “This is the best script I’ve ever read,” he said at the time.

Moreover, during the 2015 Austin Film Festival, director Jonathan Demme shared that Sean Connery was his first choice for Lecter. However, Connery turned down the part, finding the script unsettling. Demme then pursued Hopkins for the role, being impressed with his portrayal of surgeon Frederick Treves in “The Elephant Man.” He explained, “It was so easy for me to see that Anthony would be a superb Dr. Lecter because he had been such an amazing good doctor in ‘The Elephant Man,’” elaborating on Hopkins’ suitability for the complex character.

Although Curry missed out on playing Lecter, his career is adorned with significant roles. He captivated audiences as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) and haunted viewers as Pennywise in “It” (1990). Additionally, he entertained as the clever butler Wadsworth in “Clue,” alongside memorable performances as Darkness in “Legend,” Rooster Hannigan in “Annie,” and Long John Silver in “Muppet Treasure Island.” Known for his versatile vocal talents, Curry voiced Nigel Thornberry in the animated series “The Wild Thornberrys.”

In his candid chat on “The Academy” channel, Curry opened up about other roles he auditioned for but ultimately did not secure. He mentioned his auditions for Marv, the burglar in “Home Alone,” after being approached by director Chris Columbus, a fan of Curry’s musical albums. “I actually met Chris Columbus, who apparently had the only two albums of mine and was a bit of a fan. Nobody else had ever bought them,” Curry humorously recounted.

Instead, the role of Marv went to Daniel Stern, but Curry was cast in the sequel “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” as Mr. Hector, the Plaza Hotel concierge. Curry cherished working with a young Macaulay Culkin, the star of the “Home Alone” series.

Furthermore, before Jeremy Irons voiced Scar in Disney’s “The Lion King” (1994), Curry was also in contention for the same role. “That would have been nice,” he reflected.

Ashley Hume has made significant contributions as an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. For story tips, contact her— @ashleyhume on Twitter.