Muppets declare Tim Curry an 'honorary Muppet' after actor's death

Following the confirmation of British actor Tim Curry's death on August 26, tributes poured in across social media, celebrating his extensive legacy in film, theater, and television.

While Curry left an indelible mark on the horror genre with iconic characters like Pennywise and Dr. Frank-N-Furter, his contributions to children's cinema also earned recognition. In a posthumous tribute, the beloved Muppets declared Tim Curry an 'honorary Muppet' for his memorable role as the pirate Long John Silver in the 1996 film "Muppet Treasure Island."

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Few humans have earned the title of honorary Muppet more than the legendary Tim Curry. As an artist, he was unparalleled: witty, charming, unsettling, and profoundly funny. We will always consider it a great treasure to have been part of the Long John Silver crew. Thank you for everything, Tim.

The heartwarming tribute, shared on Instagram alongside photos of Curry in his pirate costume, quickly garnered widespread attention. "Few humans have earned the title of honorary Muppet more than the legendary Tim Curry," the post read. "As an artist, he was unparalleled: witty, charming, unsettling, and profoundly funny. We will always consider it a great treasure to have been part of the Long John Silver crew. Thank you for everything, Tim."

During a promotional interview for the film, Curry had humorously inquired about his on-screen credit, asking, "How will I be credited?" He was told, "First among humans." He expressed a desire for this to apply to all future films. As a parting gift after filming, Curry received a caricature of himself as a Muppet, a memento that now gains added significance with this posthumous honor.

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When they were negotiating the film, I asked: 'How will I be credited?' And they answered: 'The first among humans.' And I think I want that to apply to all films in the future.