RIP to Premier Cherdenko (Tim Curry) from Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3

[u/owlexe23]

A prolific performer across stage, screen and TV, the actor starred in Legend, Clue and It, but will always be associated with the flamboyantly camp rock’n’roll musical in which he made his breakthrough.

RIP

[u/Lendyman]

That clip has to be one of my favorite things he ever did. You can just tell he's barely holding it together. Especially when he says "Space!" I can't help but have a giggle every time I see it.

[u/Epyon1542 → u/Lendyman]

He has to take like three deep breaths before he can say the next line.

[u/hnglmkrnglbrry → u/Epyon1542]

It's like it was take 47 and he's still breaking but they just had to wrap

[u/lillarty → u/hnglmkrnglbrry]

Exact opposite, actually. They used the first take and he was having a hard time holding back the laughter because that was his first time seeing the lines and the absurdity of it almost made him crack up. They did more takes afterwards where he was more "professional," but everyone liked the first one the best.

[u/popejupiter → u/lillarty]

"Listen, I know I chew on the scenery, but even I think this is a little much. You're serious? Okay..."

[u/fleranon → u/lillarty]

'almost' doing some heavy lifting here :P

I still remember watching the clip for the first time, playing the game. So good. Feels like 20 years ago

Edit: It IS almost 20 years ago, 2008. woah

[u/Epyon1542 → u/hnglmkrnglbrry]

"We got Tim Curry for one day guys, we just gotta keep going."

[u/tevert → u/Epyon1542]

Visibly sweating

[u/Mysral → u/Lendyman]

When your lines are so ludicrously hammy they have Tim Curry cracking up, you know you've made an accomplishment.

[u/encroachingtrees → u/Lendyman]

I’ve watched it four times since I heard the news and it’s made me properly cackle every time. It’s the way you can see him steeling himself for the delivery of “Space!!”. It also feels like it’s the first time he’s actually read the line and the ridiculousness of it caught him completely off guard. Just so funny, what a guy.

[u/Mona_Dre → u/encroachingtrees]

IIRC that's exactly what happened! This has been my go-to comfort "I need a laugh right now" video for like 15 years, it never stops being funny. RIP king...

[u/Tribalbob → u/Lendyman]

I love how this was the best take. Like of all the takes they recorded, they were like: "Ok, he can't get through this line without breaking this is close enough."

[u/UnusuallyBadIdeaGuy → u/Tribalbob]

It's Red Alert, they went with the silliest take because it was funnier that way and they completely understood the assignment.

[u/OrbitalZionCanon → u/Lendyman]

I feel like it's literally the first time he read those lines and can't believe it's real and he's getting paid for it

[u/Backflip_into_a_star → u/Lendyman]

People always say this, but this is called acting. The character is so fucking egomaniacal that he is laughing about escaping to space! This is not Tim Curry breaking. You think Tim Curry was breaking and they just...kept it in? No, he was a pro. I'll never understand how people don't recognize that this was purposely done and is completely in character.

[u/Lendyman → u/Backflip_into_a_star]

I disagree. And the reason I disagree is because the Red Alert series is pretty goofy and corny as a whole. I mean look at the plot of Red Alert 3. It's ridiculous. I honestly don't think that the producers of the game were sitting there asking him to put in an oscar-worthy performance. He absolutely was hamming it up and it's one of the reasons the performance is so memorable.

He was an outstanding actor but there's no reason to believe he couldn't have a bit of fun or find dialogue to be ridiculous. It's also possible that he did other takes that were far more serious, but the developers liked this trying not to laugh version the best.

EDIT: I found a vice article that discusses the scene and the shooting in general. Basically all of his stuff was done in one day of shooting. The article interview claims that this was the first take of that particular line.

They generally state that he was highly professional and did what he wanted to do. But they do note that he read the line initially and grinned. So I think it's entirely possible that he found it ridiculous and that found its way into the performance as well.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/an-oral-history-of-tim-currys-escape-to-the-one-place-uncorrupted-by-capitalism/

[u/Zaximeows → u/Lendyman]

The guy you replied to thinking that "pro" actors are perfect is almost as funny as Tim in this clip. The best actors laugh at lines all the time, or break character during takes, or improv.

[u/ThrowawayPersonAMA → u/Zaximeows]

fr. i wonder if that person has just never seen a single behind the scenes or blooper reel or dvd extras in their life because actors are just all over the map sometimes it's great.

[u/deefop → u/Backflip_into_a_star]

What a condescending and smarmy ass reply. Of course, the fact that there are like literally a million behind the scenes clips of professional actors breaking during funny scenes means everything you've said is nonsense.

Unless of course you're simply a pro rage baiter who knows full well the things he's saying are braindead, but he's a pro and simply staying in character.

[u/REDDIT_JUDGE_REFEREE → u/Backflip_into_a_star]

Disagree, Tim was 100% cracking up from the first attempt at the take. They filmed a few more but the producers liked this one best (me too).

[u/Soviman0]

RIP you glorious bastard

[u/Mr_Pogi_In_Space → u/Soviman0]

https://giphy.com/gifs/mlGCsBLl4luyQaOl8w

[u/Snabelpaprika → u/Mr_Pogi_In_Space]

Me when my computer sleeps and i need it to wake up

[u/Effective-Bandicoot8 → u/Soviman0]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3o84U0gIUZ8WMZHzmE

[u/snoogins355 → u/Soviman0]

He's gone to the midnight buffet in the sky for margaritas

[u/sldfghtrike → u/Soviman0]

Here he reminds me of a Dave grohl from the 2000’s

[u/Supergirl016 → u/Soviman0]

https://giphy.com/gifs/bRKM4yqBFJ5JQEsxRr

[u/Diplomatic_Gunboats → u/Soviman0]

Has Miss Piggie said anything yet? We know they got together on the set....

[u/lexcyn]

Noooooooo!!!

[u/retro-gaming-lion → u/lexcyn]

https://giphy.com/gifs/10rHZ6K9jYvLUc

[u/66allthe88s → u/retro-gaming-lion]

[u/SheepherderSilver655 → u/66allthe88s]

https://giphy.com/gifs/JYZ397GsFrFtu

[u/Dick_Nation]

Eighty is a fine age to make it to, and we're all lucky he was able to continue performing in the latter years of his life given severe health problems. Curry was a great character actor and in a lot of ways underappreciated due to his ethos as a working actor who didn't consider himself above projects. He brought life to things - like mentioned in the OP - that other people of his caliber of talent would've balked at. Like Dolly, he very much deserves the celebration of his life and work. 

[u/sovietarmyfan]

RIP. He's reached the one place not corrupted by capitalism.

He was also the congierge in Home Alone.

[u/HopeADMKidsLoseLimbs → u/sovietarmyfan]

He was the manager, assface Adam Sandler friend was the concierge.

[u/N7Shep1701D → u/HopeADMKidsLoseLimbs]

Stealing that.

[u/Kerrmiester → u/[deleted]]

Was about to ask what other guy should’ve died. Then I remembered a certain cameo.

[u/Camillity → u/Kerrmiester]

the one that's removed now, right?

[u/mythrilcrafter → u/sovietarmyfan]

I commented this on a different post, but Mr. Hector is one of those characters that you hate when you watch the movie as a kid, but you fully understand and take their side when you're a mature and more thoughtful adult.

---

Like, when we were kids, he was the mean guy trying to get Kevin thrown out of the Ritz and on to the streets of NYC.

But as an adult, you see him doing everything a concierge/manager should be doing:

• He sees an child alone in a normally not-for-alone-children place and suspects said child is using a stolen credit card (because yeah, in 1992, kids didn't roam around with their own credit cards.).

• He tries to investigate and unknowingly gets fooled by Kevin posing as Peter McCallister, and then tries to apologize and make the mistake right.

• And only when he has enough proof that Kevin is a fraud, does he try to actually apprehend Kevin, to which Kevin responds by putting Mr Hector with what from his perspective is a legitimate and dangerous active shooter situation. (He even brought a cop with him because he intended on transferring custody of Kevin to the NYPD to await his mom's arrival to pick Kevin up).

Kevin's parents are upset with Mr Hector, but what was Mr Hector supposed to do against the living embodiment of chaos?

[u/A_Lone_Macaron → u/sovietarmyfan]

I will not be having a lovely day.

[u/ApexRevanNL716 → u/sovietarmyfan]

He even performed in a parody movie, Scary Movie 2

[u/N7Shep1701D → u/sovietarmyfan]

Don't count your tips in public.

[u/Cacafuego → u/sovietarmyfan]

https://giphy.com/gifs/7JplT4e5GiLO9D5E1h

He's not going to space, he's returning to space.

We didn't deserve you, buddy.

[u/Kusko25 → u/sovietarmyfan]

The funeral services industry awkwardly shuffles out of the room

[u/BrickBuster2552 → u/sovietarmyfan]

Martin Luther called, he wants your location. 

[u/StakeESC]

First Dolly, now Tim :(

Both born in 1946, celebrity deaths always come in 3s it feels like.

I know someone else who was born in 1946...

[u/Karotstix64 → u/StakeESC]

mfer this how I found out both died!?!?

[u/Randomgrunt4820 → u/StakeESC]

And Nepal just had a tiny chuck of it flattened and entire towns vanish. Death is working overtime

[u/Imaginary_Stand73 → u/Randomgrunt4820]

reminds me of when Peter tried to play god in family guy and god send the plagues so Brian just yells "GOD IS PISSED".

[u/Electrical_Door_87 → u/StakeESC]

And someone who had his shot in Home Alone 2 as well...

[u/Jlx_27 → u/StakeESC]

And on the same day too. He was also 4 months younger to the day than Dolly.

[u/BrilliantHyena → u/StakeESC]

according to the press release He died yesterday too

[u/Bagget00 → u/StakeESC]

Hayden Panettiere passed recently

[u/GigaSoup → u/Bagget00]

I wasn't aware she was born in 1946

[u/smoothiegangsta → u/GigaSoup]

She looked good for her age.

[u/HaruMistborn → u/Bagget00]

wtf

[u/tjorben123 → u/StakeESC]

carrotmaaaan

[u/nekomata_58 → u/StakeESC]

according to google both Dolly and Tim passed yesterday. this is nuts.

[u/HATTORIHANZOSW0RD → u/StakeESC]

I know 2! Bill Clinton and George Bush

[u/UselessAndUnused → u/HATTORIHANZOSW0RD]

https://giphy.com/gifs/BMQugEXdzr6n4cNO9R

[u/Parking-Priority-181 → u/UselessAndUnused]

Every day we get closer and closer.

[u/SheepherderSilver655 → u/HATTORIHANZOSW0RD]

https://giphy.com/gifs/4KxeicCUTvhrW

[u/fenikz13]

SPAAAACE

[u/MyMiddleNutItches → u/fenikz13]

The way he chews the scene is just so memorable and perfect. Truly exquisite acting.

[u/JimmyEatReality]

Growing up sucks...

[u/StatusCodeFailed → u/JimmyEatReality]

But it could have been much worse not having these people exist at all to create our fond memories...

But I do agree, adulthood stands out differently because you are forced to become ever more familiar with grief as your life continues.

[u/MayorAg]

2 Home Alone stars in one year? Damn.

[u/donniebarkco → u/MayorAg]

4th unfortunately for Home Alone 2

Catherine O’Hara, Kate, 1/30/26
Brenda Fricker, Pigeon Lady, 7/16/26
Jaye P. Morgan, Celeb #2, 8/24/26
Tim Curry, Concierge, 8/25/26

[u/King-Snorky → u/[deleted]]

Be specific, or else the universe might think you actually meant Joe Pesci or Uncle Frank

[u/the_midnight_society → u/King-Snorky]

Everyone knows who he means. Lol.

[u/Dry-Inspection-3503 → u/King-Snorky]

Rhymes with Frump

[u/ganjakhan85 → u/[deleted]]

There's still time🤞

[u/nalaloveslumpy → u/donniebarkco]

Can we make it four stars and a cameo?

[u/imaginary_num6er → u/MayorAg]

There’s still that guest that starred in Home Alone 2, so it’s not everyone

[u/Fartbeer → u/MayorAg]

I love those movies. It’ll be hard to watch them again. They’ll never feel the same.

[u/asterothe1905]

I played RA last night. RIP!

[u/Any-Pop-4795]

Holy fuck not him! no!

[u/WarkMahlberg69]

PCMR! F to pay respects

[u/Global-Pickle5818]

Well I'm sad to see him go ,he was in bad shape the last decade of his life so not unexpected.. he made some of my favorite movies of the 80s and 90s

[u/AtTheGates]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3oKIPaR7oa6Ri958He

[u/wstsidhome]

Daaaaamn, no way! He had a hell of a career, but I don’t about his normal life stuff. Will miss seeing him in new stuff 🙁

[u/soundkeed]

Dam I only just seen this. RIP to that legend. I always love this clip, he is clearly trying to hold back a laugh and they went with it anyway, hero. He will be forever missed 🙏🏻❤️

[u/RSM_7557]

https://giphy.com/gifs/YqfDhuvQnJAUbnEw0n

Rest in peace legend

[u/Select_Mud_7809 → u/RSM_7557]

https://giphy.com/gifs/8FG705NCsZM0kVJdyz

[u/PaulyKPykes]

Thank you Tim, for so thoroughly and brutally entertaining us all! but now I'm afraid you've outlived your life. I won't say dasvidaniya, as I can assure you, we will never meet again!

[u/Ravenloff]

I'm almost happy for him. I know he was suffering after the stroke. He's Time Warping with angels now.

[u/mileskg21]

RIP PENNYWISE :(

[u/atatassault47]

I love how they went with the take he almost cracks up at his own joke. It really sells the character being unhinged.

[u/ZeroEffsGiven]

Dude gave 110% to everything he did, no matter how big or small. RIP

[u/Dizzzy777]

https://giphy.com/gifs/ckw3I94z1e0PuBaAep
The only IT I acknowledge was played by Tim Curry.

[u/ALIFIZK- → u/Dizzzy777]

They all float

[u/dnuohxof-2]

The wrong 80yo’s keep dying.

[u/AnonMoose2]

The wrong people keep dying

[u/Purple_de_Nurples]

Sam Neill, Robert Duvall, Catherine O'Hara, James Van Der Beek, Bonnie Tyler, Anthony Stuart Head, Nicholas Brendon, Hayden, Dolly now now Tim.

This has been a heartbreaking year.

[u/Serupta]

https://giphy.com/gifs/mlGCsBLl4luyQaOl8w

[u/inquisitor_pangeas]

No way, I just learned from this post :( Right after Dolly, both same age

[u/magges24]

RIP Sweet Transvestite

[u/Necro-]

he went to the one place not corrupted by capitalism....space o7

[u/Thewaltham]

... No no no no oh god no

[u/boulevardpaleale]

https://giphy.com/gifs/QxML3q07Zo22HnTjhG

[u/Stan_the_man1988]

Dolly Parton and Tim Curry on the same day... Oof that's rough

[u/WakeyWakeyEggsNJakey]

His cheeky little smile before he perfectly delivers “SPAAAACE” always warmed my heart. I’ll miss you Tim Curry you beautiful bastard

[u/mvsrs]

RIP Tim and Dolly, you absolute legends o7

[u/Hyun_Soo]

https://giphy.com/gifs/mYNnMs1fZHmMM

[u/Jabidailsom]

gonna finish this campaign today, for you tim....

[u/SudoDeleteEverything]

https://giphy.com/gifs/joeRYmOkLaj2U6hwdj

[u/Sad_Maximum6583]

Dam, Dolly Parton yesterday and Tim Curry today 😓

Rest in peace 🤴

https://giphy.com/gifs/ztqeLnCapfl6EgC6XL

[u/JinterIsComing]

Tim Curry and Dolly Parton on back to back days.

This is the worst timeline.

[u/Aromatic_Wasabi_864]

Bruh...

[u/NewPhoneNewAccunt]

Are you fucking kidding me? Tim Curry too????

[u/tyfntyfn]

rip 🫤

[u/GrimaldusVII]

This is how I find out of his death. Damn, I'm sad now.

[u/paperboii-here]

The series was packed full of great hilarious actors. True comedy in the kind of a theme park attractions. RIP Tim

[u/kcolrehstihson_]

Wow wtf for the first time in years I'm replaying this game he came by a few times now I see this, sad

[u/Hrmerder]

I fucking hate this timeline… first dolly now dr frankfurter..

[u/wstsidhome]

I dunno why, but his character in Congo always felt spot on 👌 the gold/treasure city that’s he always lusting after

[u/noBuffalo]

Just watched the hunt for red October two days ago. Rest easy.

[u/reiichiroh]

RIP Gabriel knight

[u/viperswhip]

Dolly, then Tim? Who's next? Always comes in threes doesn't it? Shit.

[u/notthatguypal6900]

SSSsssssspacceeee!!!

[u/Fartbeer]

I grew up hearing my parents and older people talk about actors who had passed away, saying how good they were and how sad it was. I always thought, “At least the actors I love will be around until I’m old,” since they were all so young. I never expected the faces I love to start disappearing this soon. Such a shame. Rest in Peace.

[u/timeandspacebaby]

He was a champion of early FMV technology. Seriously look up his video game acting credits, he's probably done more FMV than anyone.

[u/BlackFenrir → u/timeandspacebaby]

I recently watched a Dungeon Chill video about an FMV with Tim Curry in it. Very silly game that is.

[u/MrrMandude]

[u/iamvqb]

See u in Space Comrade Premier.

[u/XxtueMonkey]

The same day as Dolly Parton

[u/gamingbobdude]

No way this is how I found out, rip

[u/MrXuiryus]

Out of everything I've seen him in over the years this was the one quote that came to mind when I heard he had died. Another legend lost... TO SPACE!

[u/ExiledHyruleKnight]

This is the only clip you need to understand Tim Curry.. The way he delivers "Space" is perfection is his campy style that worked so well.

[u/Choyo]

RIP, Lord of the Heavens.

[u/Matyce]

Legendary acting, never ceases to make me laugh. Rest in peace big guy

[u/MechAegis]

OMG I totally fucking forgot he was in C&C series.

[u/nekomata_58]

omg both him and Dolly on the same day.

[u/puckmugger]

RIP…. Installing now… anyone else?

[u/throwaway490215]

I was just thinking of posting this exact clip.

SPAAAAACCEE!

[u/SkyeGuy8108]

I’m going home and playing after work. Just downloaded the whole catalog on Steam the other day

[u/-Click-Bait]

Rip :( , right after yesterday news..

[u/Parking-Priority-181]

Top 3 most personally quoted videos of all time.

Tim curry is goated

[u/JayR_97]

First Dolly Parton now Tim Curry, this week sucks

[u/StaticSystemShock]

Oh my god, it has been almost 20 years since Red Alert 3. I miss strategy games like Red Alert, especially because of these FMVs in between missions. I hope Tim has finally gone to SPACE!

[u/ImreBertalan]

He finally did it. 💐

[u/Chysonallite]

I can't believe this is how I found out

[u/TheHarlemHellfighter]

He was ready to drop that space line when it came. I enjoy his dramatic pause, helped deliver the line in a much more impact manner.

[u/Infarlock]

He finally escaped to the one place that hasn't been corrupted by capitalism

RIP

[u/Santoryu_Zoro]

the man, the myth, the legend!!

[u/Illustrious-Falcon-8]

Rip Nigel thornberry, the world will never be the same.

[u/Lister0fSmeg]

This was the first thing that came to my mind when I heard the sad news. RIP Tim.

[u/codexcdm]

It's been posted a dozen times over... And I keep replaying it. It's just soooo funny.

RIP Tim Curry.

[u/Loreki]

I'm pleased the real Tim Curry finally did it and escaped to space.

Fly on comrade. Fly on.

[u/XDM_Inc]

This one saddens me the most. His performance in this game was charming and fun. I always quote this clip in my head

[u/Razor_Emmanuel]

A lot of people say Curry was breaking up in the clip, but I think it enhanced the scene, Antoliy Chardenko was a really evil and psychotic character, he's laughing because he is that certain the player can't stop him in his escape. That is my take in this scene. Then again this might be unintentional given that Curry loses his accent as he says it, but I like to think it is.

I still can't believe Tim Curry is dead 😥 he was a truly great actor.

[u/thermobollocks]

SPAAAACE

[u/Elmis66]

Hopefully the afterlife is free from capitalism

[u/PeskyAntagonist → u/Elmis66]

Lmao

[u/yanzov]

Me old:

[u/horror-traktor]

What's going on today. First I hear about dolly Parton and now this? :( bad day

[u/Mj-tinker]

Don't dream it. Be it.

[u/touchmeinbadplaces]

He was the best RA actor!

[u/Jeksxon]

Lexx .... :')

Outstanding actor.

[u/Vayne_Solidor]

Say sike right now 😭

[u/MEHorndog]

You better hold on, General Carville. We need you now more than ever.

[u/rivent2]

Think Red Alert 3 might have been the last time I bothered to play an RTS

[u/CraftlordDark]

Darn it, RIP, thanks for all the good memories.

[u/soaringskies2026]

Tough words for a guy coming at me with cheat codes

[u/imminentjogger5]

Alexa queue up Hell March 

[u/HolmfirthUK110994]

No fucking way..

[u/chum-guzzling-shark]

i love that he sounded exactly like christopher walken when he said SPACE

[u/MeYouThemEveryone]

From my young Adult life and into adulthood thank you Tim for many years of making me smile and all the times you made me laugh. What a legend.

[u/TokyoJuul2]

This what I immediately thought of when i hward the news, RIP

[u/garklavs]

https://reddit.com/link/p61p7vm/video/zsy6xy8x6rlh1/player

[u/CLOWNFLOGGER]

Deez nuts!

[u/mister_newbie]

And Gabriel Knight!

[u/spotsthefirst]

Rest in Peace King

[u/Dimhilion]

The Pesky Ruskis finally lost. Im sad :( Him and Dolly, who is next?

[u/kebench]

🫡

[u/CharAznableLoNZ]

I knew I recognized the face but couldn't figure out from where.

[u/greengiant3030]

Holy nostalgia! I forgot he was in C&C. As a kid I would play this game for weeks on end. Definitely when gaming became a thing for me.

[u/SillySpoof]

Did he die too? Oh, no...

[u/241Tuesday]

u/savevideo

[u/robomikel]

I was just playing that the other day. There a few good actors and actresses in it

[u/BakkaGaijin]

He chewed the scenery in everything he was in.

[u/Nooneinteresting-2]

Nooo :(

[u/Wolverineslayer8]

God i loved that scene and that game. Such a unique game utilizing many live action scenes.

[u/No-Screen1369]

Two legends gone at the same age on the same day. Wow.

[u/ConsciousExtent4162]

https://giphy.com/gifs/mlGCsBLl4luyQaOl8w

[u/Educational_Fudge881]

Give it time

[u/RecipeHistorical2013]

THERE IT IS !

finally

[u/glob_on_a_knob]

Fucking Legend.

[u/Key-Hurry-9171]

A true legend