Tim Curry, the Actor Behind Pennywise, Was Actually Afraid of Clowns

Tim Curry, who famously played Pennywise in the 1990 film It, was afraid of clowns. The irony is hard to miss: the performer who helped make one of horror’s most memorable clown figures also carried a personal fear of the very type of character he portrayed.

That detail adds an extra edge to the role. A frightening clown works by twisting something familiar and cheerful into a threat, and an actor who is personally wary of clowns may bring a natural unease to the part. Even without a long anecdote, the simple contrast between the performer and the character makes the fact stand out.

For fans of It, it also reframes a familiar monster. Pennywise is not just a scary clown on screen; he is a figure built around the discomfort of seeing a beloved children’s entertainer become predatory. Curry’s own fear helps explain why the role has stayed so unsettling.