Movies

Tim Curry was a celebrated character actor. He said that he had a great time working on one film in particular.

Tim Curry starred in many classic movies in his lifetime. He worked with major stars and became one of the best-known character actors of all time. Of all of his many projects, Curry said there was one surprising film that stood out as his favorite. Here’s why he loved filming Muppet Treasure Island more than any other movie.

Curry, who said he always loved the Muppets, signed on to Muppet Treasure Island because he respected director Brian Henson. He played Long John Silver.

“I thought he would do a good job, and it turned out to be the most fun I’ve ever had on a movie set,” Curry told The New York Times. 

Curry said that one of his favorite things about the film was that he got to actually sing on set. 

“One of the reasons I enjoyed it most was that I sang a lot of the songs right there on the set, and I wasn’t miming to a recording,” Curry said. “I loved the freedom of that.”

He also found it surprisingly easy to act alongside the Muppets. He began to consider them people.

“I saw the Muppets as actors with distinct personalities,” he said. “It’s astonishing how quickly you see them as people.”

He said he enjoyed the experience so much that he would work with the Muppets again in a heartbeat.

“I would love to work with the Muppets again,” he told The Guardian. “The great thing is that the Muppeteers themselves, if they have their puppet on their hand, they only talk to you as the character. I love that.”

Curry said that it was his favorite movie and he hopes it has longevity.

“It’s my favorite movie,” he said. “I loved doing it, and I hope it plays forever.”

Curry liked Henson, which was serendipitous. Henson created the film with the actor in mind.

“I said to the writers, ‘Think Tim Curry. Let’s write a great script, and then let’s see if we can get him to actually play it,’” Henson said.

Henson said he felt starstruck while working with the notable character actor.

“I don’t think I’ve ever worked with anybody that had that starlike magnetism,” Henson said.

After Curry’s death this week, the Muppets paid homage to him in a post. They shared photos of Curry in Muppet Treasure Island and described him as an honorary Muppet.

“Few humans have earned the title of honorary Muppet more than the legendary Tim Curry,” the post reads. “As a performer he was unparalleled – witty, charming, unnerving, and deeply funny. We will always consider it one of our greatest treasures to have been part of Long John Silver’s crew. Thank you for everything, Tim.”