The actor recalls the hilarious (and awkward) incident that took place when he tried to watch his own movie incognito in 1976.

The Day Tim Curry Got Kicked Out of His Own Movie Screening

Few performers are as synonymous with cult cinema as Tim Curry, whose portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) remains one of the most iconic roles in film history. But as the actor reveals in his new memoir Vagabond, not everyone recognized him when he decided to see the movie for himself.

In the spring of 1976, Curry, then living in Greenwich Village, New York, discovered that a nearby cinema was holding midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The film had initially flopped at the box office but had started gaining traction as a cult sensation at late-night showings.

Curious, Curry decided to experience the phenomenon firsthand — only to find himself accused of being a fraud.

“I’d called a day ahead of time to let them know I was a member of the cast and to ask if they would kindly reserve a few tickets,” Curry writes. “The woman on the phone dismissed me as ‘the third Tim Curry to call today.’ ”

From Curiosity to Chaos

Curry and a few friends decided to attend anyway. The actor had no intention of drawing attention to himself, preferring to quietly observe the audience participation that had become the hallmark of Rocky Horror screenings.

“We went in and sat toward the back of the theater,” he recalls. “I was far more interested in viewing the spectacle than participating. The crowd’s energy was a true delight to behold.”

But as the film rolled on, some audience members began to notice the familiar face in the back row. Word spread that the real Dr. Frank-N-Furter was in attendance — and that’s when things took a strange turn.

“The woman from the ticket booth approached me and said, ‘You’re a nightmare! And you are not Tim Curry at all — you don’t even look like him!’ ”

Humiliated but amused, Curry decided to prove his identity.

“I stood up slowly and, with a mixture of embarrassment and triumph, handed her my passport,” he writes.

Realizing her mistake, the woman’s demeanor changed instantly.

“Her haughty expression collapsed. She tried to apologize and asked me to sit back down to enjoy the show,” Curry recalls. “I took my passport back and gestured to my friends. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it!’ I said, and promptly strode out of the cinema.”

From Box Office Flop to Cult Phenomenon

At the time, The Rocky Horror Picture Show had only recently transformed from a commercial disappointment to a cultural sensation. Its midnight screenings were becoming social events, with fans dressing up, shouting lines, and dancing in the aisles.

For Curry, watching that energy firsthand — even for just a few minutes — was both surreal and gratifying. The experience reflected how Rocky Horror had taken on a life of its own, becoming a celebration of self-expression and eccentricity that continues to this day.

Tim Curry Reflects on 50 Years of Rocky Horror

In his memoir Vagabond, released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the 40th anniversary of Clue, Curry looks back on his decades-long career with humor and warmth.

“I’ve had the time of my life revisiting my favorite memories over the past couple of years,” he told PEOPLE. “And I’m shivering with anticipation to share them with you.”

The actor also revisits stories from his stage career, his transition into film, and his work in beloved projects like Clue, Legend, and It.

Despite the embarrassment of that fateful screening night, the story has become one of Curry’s favorites — a reminder that fame doesn’t always guarantee recognition, even when your face is on the big screen.

“Vagabond”: A Look Inside Tim Curry’s Life and Legacy

Vagabond offers an intimate, witty, and candid glimpse into Curry’s life as a performer who has constantly balanced flamboyance with quiet self-reflection. From his early theater days in London to becoming a pop-culture icon, Curry’s storytelling captures both the chaos and charm of a career unlike any other.

The memoir — filled with humor, heart, and just a touch of the bizarre — is available now wherever books are sold.