#Here’s Where the Cast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is Now

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult classic that stands strong as one of the greatest musicals of all time. Originally a stage production, this comedy-horror moved onto the big screen, becoming a commercial hit that launched the careers of a young Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon. While The Rocky Horror Picture Show initially suffered at the opinions of critics, it was adored by audiences who held midnight screenings, dressed as the characters, and frequently talked back to or threw things at the screen.

Now, nearly 50 years after its initial premiere, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is still being exhibited in limited viewings, making it the longest theatrical release in film history. It was even beloved enough, and the fandom behind it strong enough, that it screened to an empty theater for 54 weeks during the pandemic just to keep the tradition alive.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show created a community, uniting people over the globe through its catchy songs, identification with the LGBTQ+ community, and legendary “Time Warp” dance that is imitated worldwide. Additionally, annual Rocky Horror conventions are held across America and theater troupes throughout the states produce shadow cast performances. Evidently, The Rocky Horror Picture Show holds a deep connection with people that has only grown over the decades. So, what happened to the cast of Rocky Horror who starred in this masterpiece? Let’s take a time warp through their careers.

Tim Curry

After graduating from university with English and Drama in 1968, Tim Curry secured a part in the Broadway musical, Hair. It was here that he would meet Richard O’Brien, who went on to write The Rocky Horror Picture Show and cast Curry as the eccentric transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank N-Furter. After the stage production of Rocky Horror moved to film, this crazed character became a fan favorite due to his unashamed sexuality, dramatic mannerisms, and bold disregard for the consequences of his actions. As a result, Curry became a household name and even dressed in full Dr. Frank-N-Furter costume to visit screenings of the movie.

Following the end of The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s run on Broadway, Tim Curry continued on the stage, starring in productions like Amadeus (1981), A Christmas Carol (2001), and Spamalot (2004), which sold more than $1 million worth of tickets in the first 24 hours. The actor also appeared in comedic film roles such as the Plaza Hotel concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York in 1992 and The Three Musketeers a year later, along with the beloved Clue. However, one of his best known performances was Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 horror miniseries It, based on the Stephen King book of the same name.

Since suffering a minor stroke in 2012, Curry has moved the majority of his work to voice acting, focusing mostly on audiobooks, and fans celebrated the icon’s 75th birthday last year.

Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon was only in her late twenties when she was cast as the timid but audacious heroine, Janet Weiss, in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Prior to this, Sarandon had only appeared in the soap operas A World Apart and Search Tomorrow between 1970 and 1972. In the wake of Rocky Horror’s success, and her performance of the sensual song “Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me,” Sarandon began to gain recognition within the film industry. However, it was not until the release of Thelma and Louise in 1991 that this actress finally began to flourish. Scoring her first Academy Award nomination with this road crime drama, Sarandon was nominated another two times before finally winning in 1995 for Dead Man Walking, in which she played a nun who regularly visits a murderer on death row.


In the later years of her career, Sarandon has depicted a range of characters such as the evil Queen Narissa in the live action/animated musical film, Enchanted, and Bette Davis in the FX anthology series, Feud.

Barry Bostwick

“Dammit, Janet” is The Rocky Horror Picture Show song synonymous with the character Brad Majors, a role which actor Barry Bostwick played perfectly. Although initially taking an interest in music and even producing a minor BillBoard single in 1970, “Lady Love,” Bostwick could not resist his desire for acting. Before starring as the naive but unforgettable Brad, Bostwick earned a Tony nomination for his role as Danny Zuko in the stage production of Grease in 1970.

However, since Rocky Horror’s release, this actor has mostly stayed on screen, playing the mayor in sitcom Spin City from 1996-2002 and even making an appearance in the musical-comedy drama, Glee, for their Rocky Horror themed episode in 2010. From 2009-2015, Bostwick held a recurring role as Roger Frank in Cougar Town, and in 2020, he produced and starred in the short film, Molly Robber, which won an Audience Award at the Austin Film Festival that year. He’s also starred in some recent horror movies, like Tales of Halloween and Rob Zombie’s Three From Hell. Nevertheless, Bostwick has never forgotten his Rocky Horror roots and in 2021, he hosted several special screenings of the film around the states that consisted of costume contests and memorabilia displays.


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Richard O’Brien

When viewing the quirky and disturbing servant, Riff Raff, in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, one would never think that he was the mastermind behind the entire Rocky Horror franchise. Played by Richard O’Brien, the English-New Zealand actor created Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1973 and since then, the musical has remained in almost continuous production. From this time onward, the award-winning director has continued writing, producing three songs for the musical comedy film The Return of Captain Invincible in 1983. O’Brien also appeared in The Rocky Horror Show’s limited 11 performance-run in 2015.

In 2004, the playwright was honored for his contribution to the arts by members of the Hamilton City Council in New Zealand, with a statue of his Rocky Horror character, Riff Raff. In the early 90s, he took a step back from the theater to host UK Channel 4’s game show, Crystal Maze, for four years. In 2016, O’Brien returned for a guest appearance on the show, instead performing as the Crystal Maze Computer in a one off Celebrity episode for charity.

Patricia Quinn

Patricia Quinn took on the role of Magenta, the eerie castle maid, after minimal prior acting experience. Born in Northern Ireland, Quinn trained at the Drama Centre London and landed a role playing Elizabeth in the 1975 miniseries, The Love School. After her big break with Rocky Horror that same year, the actress portrayed small parts on screen, including Hawk the Slayer, Monty Python, and Doctor Who. However, Quinn clearly holds Magenta close to her heart, and in 2008 made a guest appearance in a production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in New York, participating in a question and answer session and unexpectedly performing the movie’s opening song, “Science Fiction/Double Feature.” Although her time on screen ended in 2013, the former actress is continuously active in the Rocky Horror scene and was featured as the guest of honor at the 40th Anniversary Tribute Concert to the original Rocky Horror Show stage production.

Nell Campbell

Welsh-born actress Nell Campbell started tap dancing at age 10, a talent that eventually became a staple of her character Columbia in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. After an impromptu audition, Campbell grabbed the part of the wild groupie in the original stage production and followed it onto the screen. After this, the now-movie star appeared in the 1981 Rocky Horror follow-up, the underseen Shock Treatment, this time playing Nurse Ansalong. However, Campbell’s true passion was music, and the singer found success with singles like “Stilettos and Lipstick” and “Do the Swim,” with a final record, “Beauty Queen” being released in 1980. Since this period, the former theater star only performs in minor roles, and opened a nightclub in 1986 which closed in 2004.

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Jonathan Adams

Jonathan Adams initially trained as an artist and became recognized for his surrealist cartoons and collages. However, after being cast as rival scientist, Dr Everett V Scott, in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the painter-turned-actor found a love for the performing arts. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Adams secured a number of television roles in shows like Jesus of Nazareth in 1977, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in 1985, and The Barchester Chronicles in 1982. Despite Adams’ love of acting, it seemed painting had not left his heart and in the early 90s, he left his profession to pursue being an artist. In the following years, Adams’ work became renowned and was exhibited at a wide range of venues including the Barbican Centre and South London Gallery. After his death from a stroke in 2005, a portrait of Adams by British artist, David Gommon, was put on display in the BBC Paintings virtual gallery.

Peter Hinwood

One of the most famous characters of The Rocky Horror Picture Show was Rocky himself, Dr. Frank N-Furter’s creation originally made to serve the scientist. Portrayed by former professional model Peter Hinwood, this character was a comedic parody of “Frankenstein or the modern Prometheus,” and is imitated with Halloween costumes every year. While Hinwood’s performance was adored worldwide, the actor ended his career early after a few minor roles and instead became an antique dealer in London. In an interview with People Magazine in 2000, the former actor shared his thoughts behind the decision to leave the bright lights of Hollywood: “One, I can’t act. Two, I cringe with embarrassment every time I see myself on film. Three, I relish a quiet, peaceful life.”

Meat Loaf

While people today know Meat Loaf as a global rock star, back in 1975, he was Eddie the ex-delivery boy who was killed by Dr. Frank N-Furter in a jealous rage. Prior to being cast in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Meat Loaf was already gaining traction in the music industry, having previously been signed to Motown before leaving in the early 70s due to creative disputes. However, it was not until the release of his album, Bat Out of Hell in 1977, that this musician gained the recognition he deserved. This debut album sold over 43 million copies and is certified 14x Platinum. As of June 2019, the album spent 522 weeks in the UK Album Charts and still sells an estimated 200,000 copies annually.

Over the span of his career, Meat Loaf sold over 65 million albums worldwide, earning a Grammy for his song “I’d Do Anything for Love.” However, the star did not abandon his passion for performing, as he had appeared in over 50 films and television shows including Spice World, Fight Club, and a cameo in Glee‘s Rocky Horror episode. In January 2022, Meat Loaf passed away at age 74 due to Covid-19 complications. Hot patooties, bless his soul, he really loved that rock and roll, and we loved him, too.

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