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Luke Evans is opening up about a touching letter he sent to Tim Curry just before his death.
Evans, 47, took on the Dr. Frank-N-Furter role for his 2026 Broadway debut — a role made famous by Curry in the original 1975 film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly in an interview published on Friday, September 11, Evans shared that he sent correspondence to Curry to thank and compliment him for his performance that was so inspiring.
“He was very appreciative,” Evans told the outlet. “I think he was very sick when he got the letter — he was struggling a lot — and I’ve spoken to his publisher since. He struggled to speak and talk, so I think he was really in a bad place, but what a legacy.”
Evans added that he felt a connection to the late star due to their shared character, even though they portrayed Dr. Frank-N-Furter decades apart.
“What was very strange was the day that he did die, the news — of all the incredible things he did, and he did many incredible, iconic roles — it always started with the same person: Frank-N-Furter,” Evans reflected. “And I had just played him, so there was this real deep connection that I had, even though I’d never met the man. It was a strange, beautiful, tragic way to end my New York experience, but I’ll never forget it.”
Luke Evans. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
News broke on August 26 that Curry died at age 80. The Los Angeles Police Department’s North Hollywood Division told Us at the time that officers responded to a call for a rescue ambulance to Curry’s home around 11:23 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25. (Us reached out to Curry’s rep for comment.)
Following Curry’s death, Evans shared the touching letter via an Instagram post, captioning it, “RIP Tim Curry. And thank you x.”
“Although we’ve never met, you’ve been part of this journey from the very beginning. Every actor who puts on Frank inevitably walks into a conversation that started with you, and I’ve felt that every night,” part of the letter read.
The letter continued, “Being compared to you has been one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received, even though it’s a compliment no one could ever hope to live up to. There is, and always will be, only one Tim Curry.”
While previously reflecting on his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter with LA Magazine, Curry said he looked back at the 1975 film “with a sort of bemused tolerance” after it launched his career in the industry. “It’s neither a blessing nor a curse,” he said. “I was lucky to get it.”
