Tim Curry is easily one of the most gifted character actors in the industry. Throughout his career, he’s lent his quirky mischief to all sorts of colorful cats. No matter what type of movie or TV show this English star is in, he’s always fun to watch. As prolific as Curry is onscreen, however, he’s also a prominent player in the recording booth.
He’s voiced countless animated icons over the years. Many of these are arguably more beloved than his live-action characters. Because of that high-caliber work across numerous genres, it’s hard to narrow down his best performances. Fans, however, should fondly remember these roles.
8 Captain Hook - Peter Pan And The Pirates
Most portrayals of Peter Pan’s pirate enemy lean into one of two sides: slapstick comedy or straight-faced fear. Curry finds a balance between them. Throughout this cult animated series, Captain Hook is an ever-present threat.
What kind of threat definitely varies. Much like Aku from Samurai Jack or Zurg from Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, this Hook seamlessly weaves between tones. Sometimes, he’s the silly codfish whom Disney fans know best. Other times, he’s an imposing menace delivering biting speeches to his flying nemesis. This sounds uneven, but Curry pulls it off with ease, which speaks volumes for his versatility. It takes great nuance to portray two wildly different facets of the same character, and it’s even more difficult with just one’s voice.
7 Nigel Thornberry - The Wild Thornberrys
In a globe-trotting adventure show, it’s fitting that the best part would be a nature host. Nigel knows how to enjoy life, even when facing the dangers of the animal kingdom. That enthusiasm is infectious. No matter how oblivious he seems, his cooky antics always have an immense warmth at the center.
Part of the fun comes from the bumbling explorer persona that Curry channels. His prim-and-proper routine never gets old, especially when paired with the unpredictability of both wildlife and his family. Throw in a handful of chuckles and other indeterminate noises, and Nigel becomes a Nickelodeon favorite.
6 Ben Ravencroft - Scooby-Doo! And The Witch’s Ghost
As a fan of Scooby-Doo, this had to be a dream come true. Ben is an author looking into his witch ancestry in Massachusetts. Although Curry’s American accent is questionable at best, he is convincing as a learned man. It’s one of his more restrained and enigmatic turns in the animated world.
Of course, the slow build becomes all the more worth it once his metaphorical mask comes off. Ravencroft proclaims himself a warlock, and the result is equal parts shocking and chaotic. He articulates and relishes the spells he casts, adding a sinister Shakespearean edge to the villain. Thanks to this maniacal glee, he steals the movie right out from under Scooby and the gang.
5 A Sumo Singer - Rugrats In Paris
This is one of Curry’s lesser-known roles, but it’s no less entertaining. Despite the name, the second Rugrats film unfolds mostly in a Japanese-themed amusement park. One of the restaurants here features a sumo trio as live entertainment. Wrestling’s not on the menu, though.
Instead, they sing “Bad Girls.” As if that wasn’t shocking enough, the lead singer is none other than an unrecognizable Tim Curry. Sure, it’s bizarre even for Rugrats, but it’s also an enjoyable cover of the song. That enjoyment is all too brief, as the bratty Angelica quickly usurps the top spot and relegates the sumo stars to backup singers. That doesn’t change how catchy the cover is. As weird as it sounds, viewers deserve a full studio version.
4 Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious - Star Wars: The Clone Wars
For most of The Clone Wars, Ian Abercrombie voiced the future Emperor. Sadly, his death meant that the show needed a new voice for the sixth season. In the most inspired yet unexpected bit of casting, the creators chose Tim Curry.
What you can expect is him putting his own stamp on the Sith Lord with dual identities. While somewhat stiff as the incognito Palpatine, he really comes alive as Darth Sidious. He goes so low with his gravelly sneer that it sounds almost inhuman. Even more effective is his laugh: a downright terrifying cackle you’d imagine coming from the Devil. Never has the Star Wars villain sounded this scary.
3 Professor Calamitous - The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius
The eponymous boy genius grapples with many a wacky baddie, but few are more fitting than Finbarr Calamitous. This pint-sized scientist can never finish anything, be it his inventions or even his sentences, leading to plenty of insecurity. He’s not the least bit intimidating as a result.
That lack of menace differentiates him from Curry’s other villainous roles, but the actor seems to enjoy it nevertheless. The higher pitch gives him weaselly pettiness, which only gets more amusing the more frustrated he gets. In the end, this nasal nemesis with a Napoleon complex deserves his spot in the pantheon of delightfully devious academics.
2 Sir Gawain - The Legend Of Prince Valiant
Here’s a rare heroic character in Curry’s repertoire. That’s a shame since he pulls off the nobility well. He puts it to use as Gawain, a Knight of the Round Table in this Prince Valiant animated adaptation. Yes, it’s cheesy, but that goes with the territory.
Curry’s classical, theatrical delivery suits the high-riding defender. At the same time, his naturally darker tone gives him a cocksure, vaguely mischievous edge. This paints Gawain as occasionally pompous and hotheaded and distinguishes him from the other Knights. However, he’s no less reliable or righteous than any of them. If anything, he makes you wish Curry took such roles more often; it’d mean the heroes were more interesting to watch.
1 Hexxus - Ferngully: The Last Rainforest
For such a bad environmental flick, Ferngully is almost worth it for Curry’s turn as a malevolent smog monster. He threatens the forest and the heroes with sadistic conviction. It’s exactly the performance you’d want from an evil overlord, but it’s nothing that fans haven’t heard before.
What adds novelty is the musical element. Hexxus gets his own song about his “Toxic Love,” and Curry has a blast with it. He lends the tune the same sexual energy as he did the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It’s admittedly strange, especially for a family film, but it works. Never has pollution sounded so good.
