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Here’s a simple interior design truth: Your bed takes up a lot of visual real estate. When it looks good, the whole room feels more complete. But upgrading your bedding can quickly spiral into a game of mix-and-match — hunting for the right sheets, coordinating colors, and realizing too late that your comforter doesn’t quite work with the throw pillows you already have. That’s why many shoppers are embracing the comprehensive Spirit Linen 6-Piece Foliage Reversible Comforter Set from Wayfair. 

Currently marked down to as low as $47 from its original $170 price, this set is now up to 77% off at Wayfair in the queen size. Discounts vary by size and hue, but you can snag many combinations for over 60% off. That’s a seriously solid deal for a collection with six pieces that give your space a thoughtfully coordinated look. Whether you’re swapping out your summer bedding or giving a guest room a thoughtful touch-up, this one-box upgrade does the job in one go.

Spirit Linen 6-Piece Foliage Reversible Comforter Set, From $47 (was $170) at Wayfair Shop at Wayfair

With a nature-inspired leaf motif that’s reminiscent of earthy fall foliage, this bedding set adds a calm, pulled-together feel to your space. Whether you’re swapping out your bedding for the season or just giving things a low-effort refresh, it offers a full look in one go. Each set includes six pieces: a comforter, dust ruffle, shams, and decorative pillows — all designed to color-coordinate and work together so your bed feels like the most intentional part of the room. 

Each piece of this bedding set is machine washable and made from soft microfiber, which means it’s as easy to maintain as it is to enjoy. There are 12 rich color options to choose from, though some size and hue combinations have already sold out.

With more than 4,800 five-star reviews, this reversible comforter set has earned praise from both those updating their bedrooms and decorating new spaces for its “great value” and “cozy” feel. “This comforter set is very soft and looks great,” one shopper wrote, adding that it “washes very well and has a beautiful pattern!”

Another shopper, who has owned the set for more than a year, said that “this comforter is lightweight, so you don’t get overheated,” and it has “held up great” with regular use and care.

Related: Wayfair’s ‘Plush’ Corduroy Cloud Couch Is a Modular Marvel With 2 Storage Ottomans, Now 71% Off

At up to 72% off, the Spirit Linen 6-Piece Foliage Reversible Comforter Set is a budget-friendly way to refresh your space for autumn. Grab your favorite color before this Wayfair deal disappears!

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When you think about the most iconic Tim Curry roles, there are a few that will stand out. Many of those are within the world of comedy, but there is one iconic horror role that left many absolutely terrified of clowns.

Curry played Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 miniseries adaptation of the Stephen King classic, It. Yet, when he was ever asked about the role or when he would bring up his past experiences, he would try to avoid the subject of that particular character.

In his memoir, Vagabond, the Clue actor shared that he “didn’t revel in the role.” He never regretted the performance, and he always said that the adaptation of King’s novel was “strong,” but it was something that was rather off-putting during his time filming.

The reason? He shared how he “loathes” clowns in his memoir. It wasn’t to the point where he couldn’t look at himself in the mirror, which was often something reported, but he “didn’t delight in my reflection.”

He went on to say, “In any case, the thought of embodying this killer clown made me feel simultaneously uncomfortable and like I would be pushing myself to take it on.”

It makes sense then that he would bring a character that was so terrifying to many people. Before his death, he had noted that those who would want to talk to him about Pennywise often wanted to share about how they were traumatized by his performance. While he never blamed that thought process, he admitted that it made for a difficult conversation afterward.

Stephen King’s “IT” – 11/18 and 11/20/90 In this Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Novel for Television based on the best-selling Stephen King novel, played Ben “Haystack” Hanscom, one of seven childhood friends who are reunited in their middle ages to confront an evil entity (a clown named Pennywise). (Photo by Neal Slavin/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) NEAL SLAVIN, ANETTE O’TOOLE, RICHARD THOMAS, HARRY ANDERSON, DENNIS CHRISTOPHER, TIM CURRY, JOHN RITTER, RICHARD MAUSER

In his memoir, he continued by saying, “But I’ve never really known how to respond to that. It’s not the most charming conversation starter, and invariably leads to a less-than-delightful discussion to navigate.”

It aired over the course of two nights in November 1990 on ABC, pulling in almost 30 million viewers. While it was hard to imagine anyone in the role after him — although Bill Skarsgård took on the role extremely well in the modern movie adaptations — he almost turned down the role, but not due to loathing clowns. He just didn’t revel in the idea of going through hours of prosthetics, leading to director Tommy Lee Wallace assuring him that it would be face paint.

Fans of It weren’t the only ones to feel uncomfortable watching the performance. The child actors and many of the adult cast members would stay away from Curry due to the unnerving feelings when he was in costume.

After It, Curry would turn back to comedy and lighter shows and movies for some time. He played Mr. Hector in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers. He also voiced Captain Hook in Peter Pan & the Pirates and Palpatine/Darth Sidious in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Related: Tim Curry’s Final Public Appearance Happened in 2025

Dolly Parton’s loss has been felt around the world.

The beloved icon dedicated her life to philanthropy, coming from humble beginnings in East Tennessee, growing up impoverished, to chart a career that would span music, film, stage and beyond. She was a true multi-hyphenate: global superstar, humanitarian and even theme park entrepreneur. That’s right, she was the ‘Dreamer-in-Chief’ of her very own theme park, Dollywood Parks & Resorts.

As her music career soared, Parton never forget her Tennessee roots and opened Dollywood theme park in 1986 near her hometown in Sevier County. It’s now the largest employer in the county, creating thousands of jobs and generating around $1.8 billion annually. Additionally, her Dollywood Foundation, inspired by her own father who couldn’t read or write, has gifted over 200 million free books to kids around the world.

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the park dozens of times. And what makes it so special is that it is much more than simply licensing a name. Dolly was a fixture at the park. Of course, her likeness is plastered across billboards and part of attractions, but she spent time there greeting guests and employees as if they were family. She was widely known for her annual appearances, including her beloved park parades where she would ride around the stunning Smoky Mountain theme park as thousands of her fans cheered on. While the park offers groundbreaking attractions, it’s these homegrown touches that set it apart.

Related: The Smoky Mountain Dream That Dolly Built Turns 40 Today

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“Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness—a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams,” Dollywood shared in the wake of her passing.

Related: Dollywood Shares Heartfelt Statement

Here’s a long back at her legacy and her most memorable park moments.

Dolly at Dollywood (2:45) Dollywood Opened in 1986

On May 3, 1986, a small theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenneessee, Silver Dollar City, was transformed into Dollywood. “I want you to know that Dollywood’s aim is to make you feel important on every visit as I feel today,” Parton famously said at the park’s dedication ceremony. “I have dreamed for many years of getting to come back, bringing something back, so you folks would know that I’m as proud of you as you’ve always been of me.”

It would change the region forever, and is visited by millions of visitors from all over the world each year. Today, the park is in the midst of an aggressive expansion, that includes the debut of NightFlight Expedition, the single largest investment the park has made in its history. It continues to be a pioneering force in the theme park industry, alongside the likes of Disney and Universal. The park has no shortage of accolades and is acclaimed for its attractions, hospitality and culinary offerings.

Related: Dolly Parton Won’t Go on Dollywood Rides: ‘Any Number of Things Could Happen to Me’

It’s Not Hollywood, It’s Dollywood

Dolly famously shared that when she saw the iconic Hollywood sign she thought it would be “cute” if it said “Dollywood.” And the park has a loving recreation of the famed tinsel town sign.

Dolly at Park Events

Dolly was beloved for her annual visits, which usually coincided with the opening of each season and new attractions. I’ve been lucky enough to attend a few of these and can attest to the sheer level of excitement felt in the park. She would famously show up in elaborate outfits, usually themed to whatever new project they were working, and even perform.

Related: Dollywood Just Opened One Of Its Biggest Attractions

Her annual parade was a cherished tradition

Another favorite was her annual parade which would draw thousands of visitors. She would traverse the park in a carriage outfitted with dozens of roses.

It was a true family affair

Dollywood was a true family affair and it wasn’t uncommon to spot her familiy members working or performing around the park. Parton’s niece, Heidi, helms her own show where she performs hit songs with other family members and friends.

Her TN Mountain Home

One of the park’s most visited attractions isn’t a roller coaster but a replica of the humble cabin where her family, including 11 siblings, grew up. The cozy cabin is just two rooms and had no running water or electricity.

Attractions Are Quietly Advocacy

Dollywood has worked for over 3 decades to protect the American bald eagle through support of the American Eagle Foundation and its mission to inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect the birds of prey.  It carries an educational presence at Dollywood through the popular Birds of Prey program held at the park’s Wings of America Theater. Since the partnership began in 1991, the American Eagle Foundation has helped release more than 400 bald eagles back into the wild.

The Dollywood Foundation Will Continue Her Work

Her contributions go far beyond gifting us the joy of cinnamon bread (iykyk). Parton’s own father couldn’t read or write, fueling her to create the Dollywood Foundation, which would include charitable work that focuses heavily on education and literacy. Its signature program is the Imagination Library, which has sent more than 270 million free books to children around the world. One of the park’s newest attractions, The Dolly Parton Experience, celebrates the Imagination Library and her legacy.

She has one final song to share

Tucked away at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa you’ll find Parton’s final musical contribution. Behind a glass case, locked in a chestnut “Dream Box,” is her final song: “My Place in History.” Only Dolly knows its melody and content until it will be opened on her 100th birthday on January 19, 2046.

Related: Dollywood Shares Heartfelt Statement Honoring ‘Beloved Dreamer-in-Chief’ Dolly Parton

Tim Curry died at age 80 late on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at his home.

The iconic British actor made an indelible impression onscreen in comedic roles in Clue and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, but none more famous than as the legendary Dr. Frank-N-Furter in cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Curry’s massive success came as a surprise to him.

“I’m very aware that I’m lucky,” Curry admitted to The Guardian in October 2025. “I’m astonished actually at how ambitious I’ve been. I didn’t think of myself as ambitious at all.”

Sadly, Curry suffered a debilitating stroke in July 2012 that left him unable to walk for the rest of his life. Still, he continued acting in theatrical productions and screen projects where he could remain seated to accommodate for his mobility issues.

Find out Tim Curry’s net worth at time of death and how he made it.

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How did Tim Curry become famous?

Curry focused on acting in college, double-majoring in English and drama at the University of Birmingham.

He began his career on stage in the 1968 London production of Hair, where he met Richard O’Brien, who would later pen the script for his most famous role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror.

Curry told NPR’s Fresh Air that he originally planned to play Dr. Frank-N-Furter with a German accent and peroxide blonde hair, but changed his mind and decided that the character “should sound like the Queen.”

“I did think it was risky and indeed it was,” Curry told The Guardian of the overtly sexual nature of the role. “But I like risky. I would choose risky over anything. That’s the best way to be.”

Rocky Horror debuted on stage in 1973, but it wasn’t until the film released two years later that Curry became a household name.

After hitting it big as the transvestite from Transylvania, Curry continued acting on stage and screen, with some of his most notable roles including the Lord of Darkness in Ridley Scott‘s Legend, Pennywise in the TV movie adaptation of Stephen King‘s It, the concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers, Dr. Yevgeniy Petrov in The Hunt for Red October, King Arthur in Spamalot and Wadsworth in Clue, as well as the voice of Nigel Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys.

Related: Tim Curry Once Shared the Mindset That Helped Him Through His Hardest Years

What was Tim Curry’s net worth at time of death?

Tim Curry’s net worth at time of death is estimated to have been $8 million.

Curry likely earned quite a comfortable fortune through his decades of stage and screen acting, but his opportunities did become somewhat limited after his stroke due to his mobility challenges. In addition to fewer opportunities, medical care and accommodations for people with disabilities are not cheap, so it’s likely his net worth took a hit because of his medical condition—which is unfair and infuriating, but a sad reality, especially for people living and working in the United States.

Related: Inside Tim Curry’s Health Battles Over the Years

How much did Tim Curry make from Rocky Horror? Patricia Quinn, Tim Curry and Richard O’Brien in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”

United Archives / Getty Images

Curry’s specific salary from The Rocky Horror Picture Show isn’t publicly known, but other cast members said they didn’t make much from the film, which wasn’t a hit upon release but became a massive cult classic later.

Barry Bostwick revealed he made $15,000 for the film and that Susan Sarandon made $20,000, plus about $1,000 annually in royalties from the soundtrack for the first few decades after its release, though they made substantially less than that once streaming became the primary way for fans to hear their music.

Casting director Celestia Fox revealed in the Rocky Horror documentary SANE INSIDE INSANITY, “For a film like that, you would never ever have gotten a big budget because people thought you were insane. The studio would have thought, ‘The only way it’s worth doing is if it costs absolutely nothing,’ and just maybe, they might make a bit of money out of it. It was absolutely the going rate. It just, as it turned out, [producer] Lou Adler and [20th Century] Fox, everybody ended up making millions and millions.”

That said, Curry may have made a bit more than some of his castmates did, because he got a small percentage of profits as a producer on the project.

“It is my calling card because it’s still playing, that’s pretty swell,” he said in an interview. “I had a sort of tiny percentage of the producer’s profit which basically would probably cover some of my mortgage, I should think. It certainly didn’t get me a private plane. I’m grateful; for small mercies, it was my first movie and I was lucky to have any kind of a percentage at all. But it hasn’t made me rich beyond my wildest dreams or even comfortable beyond my wildest dreams, and it helps me get on a plane once in a while, and I should be happy about that.”

Related: ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Heading to the Sphere Las Vegas in 2027

How much did Tim Curry get paid for It? Tim Curry as Pennywise in “It”

ABC

While Bill Skarsgard is terrifying as Pennywise, Curry originated the onscreen role of King’s fear-consuming antagonist clown in It. His compensation has never been publicly reported, but if he got paid for memes from the 1990 ABC miniseries alone, Curry would have died a very rich man, because the campiness of the role became an endless well of GIFs.

“I’ve always tried to make [my villains] amusing, which gives them a bit more edge,” he told The Guardian. “It’s like people being drawn to the scene of a car crash. They’re drawn to extreme behavior … I think people secretly long to be a bit more explosive or act out much more.”

Related: The Best and Worst Stephen King Movies, Ranked

How much did Tim Curry make for Home Alone 2? Dana Ivey, Tim Curry and Rob Schneider in “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York”

20th Century Studios

Curry never revealed his salary for Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, but he did reveal he didn’t love saying in the Trump Tower. He recalled meeting Donald Trump, who cameos in the film, with amusement and a hint of distaste.

“He was very anxious to find Chris Columbus, the director,” Curry recalled to The Guardian. “He said, ‘I’ve got to get Marla [Maples] to meet Chris Columbus because she’s a brilliant actress.’ And I thought, ‘Yeah, I’m sure.'”

He added that Ivana Trump asked him about the hotel.

“She knocked on my door and said, ‘Are you happy in your room? Do you like the way it looks?'” he said. “And I loathed it actually.”

Related: Tim Curry’s Cause of Death: What We Know So Far

Just one day after Luke Evans’ final performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Broadway, it was announced that Tim Curry passed away at the age of 80.

Evans was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of the character Curry made famous in the 1975 cult-classic movie. So, it was no surprise that Evans wrote a letter to Curry shortly before his death.

Related: Billy Ray Cyrus Recalls Dolly Parton Affair Rumors in Emotional Tribute

“Three weeks ago, I wrote Tim Curry a letter. I want to share it with you. He was a force, a bright, fierce flame, an exquisite charm and that rich vocal tone; he was an inspiration to me and so many more people for the roles he played and the effect he had on so many of us,” Evans wrote on Instagram. “There will only be one Tim Curry.”

He went on to share the note he wrote three weeks before his final show after seven months on Broadway.

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“Being compared to you has been one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received, even though it’s a comparison no one could ever hope to live up to. There is, and always will be, only one Tim Curry,” he said in the note. “I’ve never tried to recreate what you did. That would be impossible. I simply hoped to honour the extraordinary character you brought to life, while finding my own way through him.”

Evans thanked Curry for his “fearless performance” and for inspiring generations of actors.

“I hope, wherever you are, you’d approve of one more Frank having the time of his life in those heels,” Evans ended the note.

Evans will be replaced by Scissor Sisters singer Jake Shears on Broadway, continuing Curry’s legacy.

In the words of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, “Don’t dream it. Be it.”

Miley Cyrus is honoring her late godmother Dolly Parton.

Parton’s reps confirmed to People that the legendary singer died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at age 80 after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer.

Cyrus shared the touching tribute to Instagram one day later on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts,” Cyrus wrote.

“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis. 🦋,” she continued.

Cyrus concluded, “I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things. 💖.”

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RELATED: Dolly Parton’s Death Date Holds Special Connection to Goddaughter Miley Cyrus

Parton became Miley’s godmother after her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, asked his longtime friend to take on the role when Miley was born.

“I’ve known her since she was a baby,” Parton said of Cyrus during a 2009 interview with Good Morning America. “Her father’s a friend of mine. And when she was born, he said, ‘You just have to be her godmother,’ and I said, ‘I accept.’”

“We never did do a big ceremony, but I’m so proud of her, love her and she’s just like one of my own,” Parton added.

During a 2024 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Parton said she and her goddaughter had “stayed very, very close” and that Cyrus would often run things by her when it came to her career.

“Well, she’s asked me a lot of things, and she mostly just runs things by me. And we talk. She’s very successful. Miley is very smart. She’s very intuitive about the business, and I just think Miley is a spectacular human being and an amazing talent,” Parton said.

Cyrus has also honored her godmother throughout her career, including collaborating with Parton on music and performing covers of her songs.

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Not all rock tracks are about hard-hitting guitar solos, partying, and wild nights, as Bob Dylan proved in one of his classics, “Shelter from the Storm,” that a good love song fits just fine in the genre.

Billboard compiled a list of some of the “Best Rock Love Songs” throughout the decades from the 70’s, 80’s, and 2000s. Among tracks from The Monkees, Heart, and the Rolling Stones, Dylan’s 1975 folk rock song landed at No. 26 on their list.

Since its release, “Shelter from the Storm” has been interpreted in a variety of ways, largely as a staple religious track often heard during Bible study or in religious events. According to Billboard, “But while the song is indeed woven with religious symbology and esoteric double meaning, its ultimate message is obvious and universal: that good love functions as shelter.”

It was recorded in 1974 with only three chords and a clear melody. He released it a year later for his 15th studio album, Blood on the Tracks, but it never entered the Billboard charts, as it was never released as a single. According to American Songwriter, Dylan originally titled it “Up to Me” while working on the album, but later decided to rewrite its lyrics.

The inspiration for “Shelter from the Storm” is often discussed as having been about Dylan’s wife, Sara Dylan. The two met around 1964 when Sara was working on Don’t Look Back, the popular documentary about the singer’s 1965 UK tour. Their relationship developed quickly, and Sara was pregnant with their first child by 1965 and later married.

By the mid-1970s, their marriage began to deteriorate and is believed to have been the basis for “Shelter from the Storm.” According to Biography, their marriage was strained due to art classes he took in Manhattan and their move to Malibu in 1973. Dylan and his wife were separated by 1975.

Dylan had often pushed back at claims that Blood on the Tracks was a diary of his failed marriage. He did try to reconcile with Sara at the time, and it briefly worked until they officially divorced in 1977.

“It just wasn’t the kind of life that she had ever envisioned for herself, any more than the kind of life that I was living, that I had envisioned for mine,” Dylan told CBS.

Related: 1974 Rock Song, Written by Bob Dylan as a Lullaby, Is Still a Heartfelt Hit 52 Years Later 

Daniel Radcliffe was outstanding as the boy who lived, but Rupert Grint certainly stole a whole lot of scenes across those eight Harry Potter films.

And now, the 38-year-old is reprising his role as the beloved Ron Weasley after 15 years, Variety reports.

Grint is set to join the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Broadway’s Lyric Theatre from Feb. 2 to May 30, 2027. He will play an adult version of Harry’s best friend Ron in the play, which centers on the next generation of Hogwarts students.

“Ron Weasley has been a part of me since I was 11 years old and I can’t wait to meet him again in this stage of life,” Grint said in a statement, per Variety. “There is something so full-circle and so special about stepping back into Ron’s shoes now when we are both fathers; it is somehow both very familiar and completely new. And the joy of being back on Broadway, this time in a role that defined so much of my life is truly exciting.”

The presale for Grint’s 17-week run begins on Sept. 1, with registration now available on the play’s website.

As fans are well aware, Grint’s casting follows Tom Felton’s successful run in the play as an elder Draco Malfoy, which has just been extended through Jan. 3 and resulted in a box office spike, Variety also noted on Wednesday, August 26.

Step Inside the Cursed World

Earlier this year, Harry Potter and the Cursed child co-stars Aidan Close and Emmet Smith, who play Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter, respectively, welcomed Parade for a behind-the-scenes look at the space they call “the best apartment in Manhattan.” Rent-free, of course.

The production is known for its technical complexity. Between illusions, fight sequences and fast-paced staging, the actors are constantly on the move, sometimes with as many as 19 quick changes per show, many under a minute. Find out more here.

Dolly Parton‘s longtime friend Cher is remembering the late country music icon in a candid interview.

Just hours after news broke that Parton died at age 80 on Tuesday, Cher spoke with CBS News in an emotional evening interview about the “9 to 5” singer and shared sweet stories of their time together.

However, at the top of the interview, the singer admitted that she was still processing the news.

“I was fine. Then I started crying,” she told Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil.

The “Believe” singer, 80, went on to share her first impression of Parton from when they first met at a party thrown by their mutual manager. Describing the country singer as “this chick with like this major hair,” Cher recalled their manager saying, “You’re gonna love her. She’s gonna love you.”

“And it was the truth, and we did,” she added.

Remembering their decades-long friendship, Cher also gushed about Parton’s “spirit.”

“You know, she just had a spirit, and it was a spirit that was always thinking the best was happening, [that] the best was going to happen,” she said. “You know, her friends loved her, her life was good. You know, that’s who she was.”

Cher also said that her favorite songs by Parton are “Islands in the Stream” and “I Will Always Love You.”

Related: Dolly Parton Through the Years: A Look Back in Photos

Parton’s nephew, Brian Seaver, confirmed the news of her passing in an Instagram video shared to her account on Tuesday.

“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he said, in part. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”

Following the release of the news, music icons including Cyndi Lauper, Paul McCartney, and Linda Ronstadt all shared social media tributes to the late singer.

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When Tim Curry first stepped into the corset and sky-high heels of Dr. Frank-N-Furter for 1975’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show, even he couldn’t have predicted the pop-culture phenomenon he was about to unleash.

At first, the actor was downright horrified when he saw his bold makeup transformation. But Curry quickly leaned into the madness, deciding to command the screen and play the sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania “like the queen.” This brilliant choice turned a wild cult character into a timeless cinematic legend.

PEOPLE Magazine reported that the legendary actor has died at 80, 14 years after suffering a paralyzing stroke. However, his legacy endures as the star of one of the most bizarre and beloved camp film classics of all time.

In a 2025 interview with NPR, Curry revealed that when he landed the now-iconic role in the original 1973 stage musical, which debuted at the Royal Court Theatre in London, he played Frank with a German accent. He later adapted a more posh accent that he would use in subsequent stage productions and the film version of the musical.

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He told the outlet, “I played Frank-N-Furter as though he was German. I was Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and everything was very interesting and stupid.”

Curry continued, “And then, one day, I heard a woman on a bus saying, ‘Do you have a house in town or a house in the country?’ And I thought, ‘Yes, he should sound like the Queen.'”

He concluded, “So that’s how it happened. It just started in this tiny theater, you know, and it just took off like a sort of rocket.”

The actor reflected on the film’s power over pop culture in an interview with CBS This Morning. He believed that the character “had a lot of power.”

Curry explained that Frank-N-Furter “gave a lot of teenagers permission to be different. And I am very happy that he did have that power.”

The Rocky Horror Show debuted in the United States in 1974 at the Roxy in Los Angeles. There was also a short-lived theater run in New York City one year later.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Richard O’Brien, the musical’s author, “wanted to deal with sexuality through sci-fi and throw songs in.” However, not all moviegoers got his message.

But it wasn’t until September 1975 that the musical film adaptation hit theaters. And it flopped, miserably.

Studio heads pulled the movie from theaters after only a brief run. But some fans weren’t ready to let Curry’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter go, returning week after week for limited screenings.

Noticing the devoted crowd, who imitated their favorite characters and interacted with the film in real-time, studio executives gambled on late-night showings. That hunch didn’t just save the movie; it launched a record-breaking cultural phenomenon that film lovers are still dressing up for decades later.

Related: The 1975 Cult Classic Film Princess Diana Claimed ‘Completed My Education’

Some songs capture a moment in time. Others manage to transcend it.

Such is the case with Paul Simon’s haunting 1973 song “American Tune,” a poignant meditation on disappointment, weariness and the complicated promise of America that remains remarkably powerful more than five decades later.

It’s the melancholy voice of a man disenchanted amidst dashed dreams and broken promises, quietly contemplating how he and his fellows have so lost their way, in lyrics punctuated with gratitude for all that has come before.

And I don’t know a soul who’s not been battered
I don’t have a friend who feels at ease
I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered
Or driven to its knees

But it’s alright, it’s alright
For we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the
Road we’re traveling on
I wonder what’s gone wrong

Written by Simon and released on his third solo studio album, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, “American Tune” arrived during a turbulent period in the nation’s history. The Vietnam War continued, the Watergate scandal was unfolding and Americans were confronting a growing sense of disillusionment with their government and country.

Simon understood the connection. In an exclusive interview with journalist Tom Moon, he reflected on the impetus to write the song.

“I don’t write overtly political songs,” he said, “although American Tune comes pretty close, as it was written just after Nixon was elected.” 

But despite the motivation, Simon didn’t come out swinging. There is no fiery protest or call to arms here. Instead, he did something far more subtle. Simon wrote from the perspective of an ordinary person who is tired, confused and battered by life, wondering what happened to the road they all set out on together. Hope has left the building, but a heartbreaking surrender remains, a humble resignation. And even faith.

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly

Simon’s quiet approach, with optimism ringing out amidst despair, may be exactly why the song has endured.

In 2021, Forbes included a passage from “American Tune” in a collection of some of the greatest rock song lyrics of all time, placing Simon’s writing alongside work by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty and other celebrated songwriters.

The melody itself reaches much further into the past. Simon adapted a centuries-old melody associated with the hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” which was famously used by Johann Sebastian Bach. Against that solemn musical backdrop, Simon created his own distinctly American lament, recalling the arrival of the pilgrims to the shores of America where promise and hope would meet devastation for an entire race.

Rather than shouting to convey his depth of feeling, Simon masterfully implies it in his lilting voice and simple lyrics, making the sentiment all the more impactful.

We come on the ship they call The Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age’s most uncertain hours
And sing an American tune

“American Tune” was released as a single in November 1973 and reached No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. That year Rolling Stone named “American Tune” its “Song of the Year.” But its chart position hardly tells the story of its lasting impact.

Decades later, the song continues to reappear during moments of national uncertainty. It has been covered by countless artists from Willie Nelson to the Indigo Girls. As the Los Angeles Times observed in 2019, the song’s power comes partly from its restraint: Simon isn’t raging at America so much as grieving for it while still carrying on.

Oh, and it’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright
You can’t be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day
And I’m trying to get some rest
That’s all I’m trying to get some rest

And therein lies the song’s quiet hope. The American dream may be bruised. The traveler may be weary. But morning is coming, and there is still another working day ahead.

Related: 1968 Iconic Ballad, Written by Chip Taylor, Is Still a Powerful Hit 58 Years Later

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Sideboards are the epitome of versatility. Ideal for any room in the house, they provide extra storage to clear up the clutter and offer a space to display decor. While practical, they also serve as a stylish accent, tying your room together and sprucing up the space. The Walsunny Farmhouse Sideboard at Walmart is a prime example. Featuring barn-style doors with X-shaped panels, it nails the farmhouse trend, instantly elevating the aesthetic of your living space and making it feel cozy and inviting.

From your living room to your kitchen, this chic storage solution can help organize and perk up your home in no time. While it looks like something you’d find at a high-end retailer, you can currently score it on sale for less than $100 at Walmart. Normally retailing for $150, the white version of this sideboard is now marked down to just $70. It’s also available in brown or gray styles, which are now on sale for $80 and $90, respectively. 

Walsunny Farmhouse Sideboard, From $70 (was $150) at Walmart

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If you prefer a more modern look, opt for the white style with its sleek finish and contrasting wooden tabletop. The gray and brown versions offer a more rustic appearance. They boast exposed woodgrain surfaces, giving them a raw and natural vibe. Reviewers loved the design of this sideboard, describing it as “really cute.”

Designed to reduce visual clutter and streamline your living space, this sideboard features a spacious two-door cabinet and a wide drawer. The cabinet is equipped with an adjustable shelf that can be positioned at three different heights, allowing you to fit items of various sizes to maximize storage space. 

For size reference, the vertical clearance of each tier is a little over 10 inches and slightly varies depending on how you position the shelves. The cabinet is 26.9 inches wide and 14.9 inches deep, offering plenty of space for small and large items alike. Ensuring that the cabinet doors remain closed, the frame is fixed with metal latches. 

Walsunny Farmhouse Sideboard, From $70 (was $150) at Walmart

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The sideboard’s drawer has a 22-pound capacity and measures 26.7 inches wide, 11.2 inches deep, and 2.7 inches tall. It’s ideal for storing everyday items, as it’ll give you easy access to whatever you store inside. To keep the drawer tidy, you can grab some organizer bins to give all those little things a designated space.

This sideboard boasts a roomy countertop with a 150-pound capacity. If you keep it in the kitchen, it’s ideal for storing bulky appliances like microwaves, ovens, and air fryers. You can also keep coffee makers and espresso machines on it and transform the piece into a coffee bar. Alternatively, you can use this sideboard to showcase table lamps and decor pieces in the living room, or organize toiletries and beauty products in the bathroom. 

Measuring 31.8 inches tall, 28.3 inches wide, and 15.7 inches deep, this slim sideboard won’t take up much space in your home. Shoppers confirmed this, noting that it’s a “space saver” and “perfect for small kitchens.” This sideboard is made of wood, and reviewers mentioned that it’s “very sturdy.” Customers also commented that it was easy to assemble. 

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Related: Walmart’s Chic Farmhouse Cabinet Is a Space-Saving Storage Solution for Empty Corners, Now $60 Off

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Long before Tim Curry became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable villains, he had already developed a knack for playing characters audiences couldn’t forget.

From Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show to Pennywise in It, Curry built a career around eccentric, intimidating and often downright terrifying characters. But there was one famous villain he desperately wanted to play, and he never even got the chance to audition.

In a 2025 interview with AARP, Curry was asked about the roles he wished he had landed. His answer was Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.

“There’s a part I didn’t get. Hannibal Lecter,” Curry admitted. “I wanted to play him very badly.”

The actor explained that he had read the script and was eager to pursue the role, but his agent couldn’t get him into the room with the people making the movie.

“My agent couldn’t get me in the room,” Curry said.

Ultimately, Anthony Hopkins won the role and delivered one of the most celebrated performances in movie history.

Curry had no bitterness toward Hopkins, though. In fact, he was quick to praise the actor’s performance.

“Tony Hopkins did a great job,” Curry said, adding that Hopkins was “my kind of actor” because of his ability to disappear into a character.

Curry discussed the same missed opportunity in an interview with the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, describing it as one of his “great regrets.” He said he “desperately wanted” to play Lecter but simply couldn’t get an audition.

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Can you imagine Tim Curry in these iconic roles? 👀 The acting legend reacts to casting notes from films he was almost cast in 🦖 with Head of Acquisitions Rachel at The Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library. #AcademyMuseum #TimCurry #LionKing #JurassicPark #HomeAlone

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The revelation is especially intriguing considering how many iconic villains Curry ultimately did play.

The Other Iconic Roles Tim Curry Auditioned For or Was Considered For

Hannibal Lecter wasn’t the only major role that got away from Curry. During his conversation with the Academy, he reflected on several other Hollywood opportunities that didn’t work out.

• Marv in Home Alone: Curry auditioned for the role of the bumbling burglar, which ultimately went to Daniel Stern. Curry later got into the Home Alone franchise anyway, playing hotel concierge Mr. Hector in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. He joked that he had at least “made it.”
• Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park: Curry auditioned for the role that ultimately went to Jeff Goldblum.
• Scar in The Lion King: Curry was considered to provide the voice of the villain before Jeremy Irons ultimately took the part. Curry’s reaction was characteristically understated: “That would have been nice.”
• Crusade — Curry also recalled a bizarre casting note from the abandoned project. The casting director reportedly wrote, “Tim Curry is not fat enough.” Curry joked that it was the only time a casting director had ever said that about him.

Despite those near-misses, Curry’s career was filled with roles that became classics. And while we’ll never know what his Hannibal Lecter might have looked like, it’s hard to imagine a more fascinating alternate version of the character.

RELATED:

Just a day after the passing of Dolly Parton, the world is shocked to hear about the passing of Tim Curry, also at the age of 80. Now, many are looking back at his life and career, and we have his final public appearance.

Curry was known for some spectacular roles, including Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pennywise the Clown in It. However, 14 years ago, he suffered a debilitating stroke that left him paralyzed, and he turned to voice acting more than live-action. However, he did return to TV for The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again, where he took on the role of The Criminologist, who is also the narrator of the tale.

After his stroke, he also cut down on his public appearances, but in 2025, he returned to the public eye for an exceptional moment. In November 2025, he joined Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, and Barry Bostwick in New York City for The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Spectacular Tour. It took place on Nov. 3 at Town Hall, and as soon as he entered, fans rose to their feet and cheered as loudly as possible.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 3: (L-R) Patricia Quinn, Barry Bostwick, Nell Campbell and Tim Curry pose at “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 50th Anniversary Spectacular Tour at Town Hall on November 3, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images)

Curry played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the movie, and during the event, he revealed that he had initially played the character with a German accent during the stage rehearsals. In the end, he kept his own accent, and it has become one of his most beloved roles.

Just before that, he attended the Celebrating the Music of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at GRAMMY Museum L.A. Live on Oct. 15, 2026, in Los Angeles. It was during this performance that he spoke about the conditions on the set, specifically during the iconic pool scene. It turned out that the water was cold, and Susan Sarandon caught pneumonia after filming.

This was something Sarandon had previously recalled, sharing that it was walking pneumonia and that the crew tried to make her as comfortable as possible on set. However, those efforts led to a fire, so the one place to go to get warm ended up going up in flames.

Curry passed away at the age of 80 on Aug. 25, 2026, but the family only released a statement the day after. 

Tim Curry, the actor who brought fans the iconic roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and IT, filmed his final horror cameo in a 2024 film before his death at 80.

TMZ reported on Aug. 26 that the actor died late Tuesday night in his Los Angeles home. Police responded to his home at 11:23 PM, with a cause of death still to be reported. The actor had battled a series of health issues since his stroke in 2012.

Curry has been a horror icon for decades and was well known for his cult classic roles as Dr. Frank-n-Furter and playing one of the most memorable roles as Pennywise in Stephen King‘s novel adaptation of IT. By the 2000s, the actor began appearing less on the big screen, with one of his last major roles being in the feature film Burke & Hare in 20120.

Following the stroke that required brain surgery and left him partially paralyzed, Curry continued his career primarily as a voice actor. He voiced Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, among other roles. In 2016, he returned to a significant post-stroke on-camera role in Fox’s 2016 TV remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Instead of reprising his original character, Curry played the role of a criminologist/narrator.

Fans will not only get to reminisce about Curry’s cult classic roles, but also his most recent work before his death. The actor had a surprise cameo in the 2024 slasher horror film Stream, co-produced, co-written, edited, and directed by Michael Leavy. It starred Jeffrey Combs alongside Charles Edwin Powell, Tim Reid, Dee Wallace, Wesley Holloway, Sydney Malakeh, Jason Leavy, and Terrifier star David Howard Thornton.

Stream follows a family on vacation at a small hotel when the owner unleashes four heinous killers and live-streams the entire ordeal. Curry played the role of Lockwood, a plague doctor-masked man in a wheelchair. He wears a hooded coat and computer gloves whose character is similar to the hotel owner.

“We are so happy and thrilled to bring Tim back to the movies and back to the big screen,” the director continued. “His charm always radiates and shines through everything he does and we are so honored to have him a part of ‘Stream.’ He is someone I have idolized personally growing up and it is one of the major highlights of my life getting to work with him, especially on a project that means so much to me,” said the director to Variety.

A few months ago, in June, Variety announced that Curry would return for Stream 2: Sudden Death in a more integral role as his original character. Leavy explained that Curry’s role in the first film was only the beginning as “his character as part of a much larger story within the ‘Stream’ universe.”

It’s unclear if Stream 2 had begun production before Curry’s death or if the actor filmed his roles for the film.

Related: ‘M*A*S*H’ Star Mike Farrell Detailed How He Met Shelley Fabares Months Before Her Death: ‘That Was the Beginning’

Throughout his extraordinary career, Tim Curry rarely played it safe.

He embraced strange characters, frightening villains and wildly theatrical performances, becoming one of the most recognizable character actors of his generation. But later in life, Curry faced a challenge no acting role could prepare him for.

In 2012, Curry suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and dramatically changed the way he worked. He continued acting, particularly through voice work, and eventually returned to the screen.

Yet Curry’s sense of humor never disappeared.

In interviews surrounding his 2025 memoir Vagabond, he spoke candidly about adapting to life after the stroke. He acknowledged that speaking had become difficult, particularly because language was something he deeply loved.

“I cherish my language,” Curry said in an interview with AARP.

He also approached his changed circumstances with the same mischievous spirit that had characterized his career.

Curry’s outlook was perhaps best summed up in the way he talked about his life and mortality. In his memoir, he wrote about realizing that life could change dramatically and described mortality as “astonishing.”

That perspective didn’t stop him from working.

Curry continued voice acting and appeared in the 2024 horror film Stream, marking his first feature-film role in 14 years. He also remained connected to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, participating in celebrations surrounding the film’s 50th anniversary.

For someone whose career was built on transformation, Curry’s later years offered a different kind of transformation; one that wasn’t performed for an audience.

He kept finding ways to create, work and make people laugh.

Curry died on Aug. 25. He was 80.

RELATED: Tim Curry Once Revealed What Donald Trump Was Really Like on the Set of ‘Home Alone 2’

Tim Curry, actor best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died at the age of 80.

TMZ was first to report the news that Curry died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at his Los Angeles, Calif. home.

What is Tim Curry’s Cause of Death?

Curry had been dealing with serious health issues since suffering a near-fatal stroke in 2012. He had used a wheelchair ever since.

In a statement to People, Curry’s manager confirmed he passed away peacefully at his home. LAPD also confirmed to the outlet that police officers responded to a call for service on Tuesday at 11:20 p.m. and completed a death investigation for a male in his 80s at a home in North Hollywood.

No further information about his cause of death is currently available.

RELATED: Tim Curry Shocks Fans With Rare Public Appearance for ‘Rocky Horror’s’ 50th Anniversary

Tim Curry Tributes and the Legacy He Leaves Behind:

Curry was best known for his wide range of comedic roles, often taking on the role of the villain in films like Rocky Horror, Clue, It, and Annie.

Last fall, the legendary actor made rare public appearances at Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th anniversary screenings.

At one of the events, Curry’s Rocky Horror co-star Barry Bostwick told the story of when he first met Curry, sharing with the audience, “He was the one who came up and gave us the biggest hug and gave us the warmest welcome.”

“I’ll never forget that. We were there only five weeks, it took to make this movie, and the moment that Susan [Sarandon] and I and Meat Loaf … when we got off the plane, you hugged us and said, ‘Welcome, welcome,’” he continued. “Welcome to your world, and we’ve been there for 50 years. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Tim Curry spent decades playing larger-than-life characters, but one of his most memorable movie stories happened when he wasn’t playing the villain.

While filming Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Curry found himself working at the Plaza Hotel, then owned by Donald Trump. Years later, the actor recalled some of the unusual encounters he had with Trump, 80, and his then-wife, Ivana Trump.

Curry played Mr. Hector, the suspicious concierge who keeps an eye on Kevin McCallister after the youngster checks into the hotel.

A significant portion of the 1992 sequel was filmed at the Plaza, and Curry remembered being asked by Ivana about the hotel’s interior design.

“She knocked on my door and said, ‘Are you happy in your room? Do you like the way it looks?'” Curry recalled in a 2025 interview with The Guardian.

There was just one problem: He didn’t like it.

“And I loathed it actually,” Curry said, explaining that he nevertheless gave her a polite answer.

Curry also recalled Trump enthusiastically promoting his then-girlfriend Marla Maples to director Chris Columbus during production, telling the filmmaker that she was a brilliant actress.

Trump ultimately appeared in the finished movie in his brief cameo as Kevin asks for directions inside the Plaza.

The cameo has become one of the most talked-about pieces of Home Alone 2 trivia. Columbus, 67, later said he felt pressured to include Trump because the production was filming at his hotel.

For Curry, though, the movie remains one of the many fascinating stops in a career that included everything from Rocky Horror and Clue to It and Muppet Treasure Island.

Curry died on Aug. 25. He was 80.

RELATED:

Dolly Parton died Tuesday. She was 80. The world’s talking about “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” and “9 to 5” and “Coat of Many Colors.” The world isn’t talking enough about Carl Dean. He was the man who made “Jolene” possible. He was the man who made “I Will Always Love You” the enduring emotional anthem it’s become. He’s the man who may have inspired more great country songs than anyone who never picked up a guitar. He just never knew it.

The asphalt contractor from Nashville met an 18-year-old girl doing laundry in 1964 and told a friend he was going to marry her. He stayed home while she toured. He never went to awards shows. He didn’t particularly love her music. He preferred Led Zeppelin. The beloved partner accidentally inspired “Jolene” by going to the bank too many times. He was the man, behind the woman, who gave the world its greatest country songs by simply being himself and asking for nothing in return.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Carl Dean walked right into Dolly Parton’s life on her very first day in Nashville. She’d gone to the Wishy Washy Laundromat looking for anything but love. She was 18. He was 21. His first thought: “I’m gonna marry that girl. Lord, she’s good-lookin’.” Two years later, he did. Parton’s record label told her not to — marriage would hurt her career. She married him anyway on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia — secretly. Only Dolly’s mother, the preacher, and his wife were in attendance. The morning after the wedding, she was up early for a radio appearance. He understood. “He never tried to make me give it up,” she said. He stayed home. She built everything.

Now here’s the part nobody talks about enough. Carl Dean didn’t write any songs. He didn’t perform any songs. He just lived his life, and Dolly Parton wrote everything down. In 1973, she sat down and wrote two of the greatest country songs in history on the same day. Both because of Carl.

A bank teller at their Nashville bank had developed what Parton described as “a terrible crush” on her husband. He loved going to the bank because the teller paid him so much attention. “It was kinda like a running joke between us,” Parton said. “I was saying, ‘Hell, you’re spending a lot of time at the bank. I don’t believe we’ve got that kind of money.'” She took that jealousy home and wrote “Jolene.” As of this morning, the song has more than 950 million streams on Spotify. Beyoncé reimagined it for Cowboy Carter in 2024. Carl was “a little embarrassed” by it.

Donaldson Collection / Getty Images

Then, on that same day, she wrote “I Will Always Love You” because Carl was the anchor she could return to when she finally dared to leave Porter Wagoner and pursue her solo career. She needed somewhere safe to go. She had Carl.

Whitney Houston‘s version of “I Will Always Love You” remains the biggest-selling U.S. single by a female artist. Elvis Presley wanted to record it. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded half the publishing rights. Parton said no. “Of course, I cried all night about that,” she said. She protected that song the way Carl protected her. Nobody was taking half of anything.

Then there was the night early in their marriage when Carl was disappointed to learn she’d had relationships before him. She went away and wrote “Just Because I’m a Woman” — an early female empowerment anthem that came directly from his imperfection. He inspired it by being human.

“Coat of Many Colors” — her personal favorite — is about growing up poor but rich in love. She was 18 when she met Carl Dean. The poverty was real, but so was the love. He married her anyway, and she never forgot where she came from. The man who preferred Led Zeppelin made all of it possible.

Related: 1971 Dolly Parton ‘Story Song,’ Written in Just Minutes on a Tour Bus, Is Her Favorite of All 3,000 She’s Ever Written: Here’s Why

Carl’s approach to fame was equally extraordinary. He attended one awards ceremony with Dolly in 1966 and told her afterward: “I am not going to any more of these wingdings.” When Dollywood opened in 1986, there were no pictures of him on display — he’d only ever agreed to be photographed with a bag over his head.

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“I’m there for him, he’s there for me.” In a 1982 interview with Barbara Walters, Dolly Parton opened up about the strength of her marriage with husband, Carl Dean, saying that nobody could take his place.

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When reporters staked out their home, he sometimes greeted them by explaining he wasn’t Dolly Parton’s husband. He was the gardener. “His whole thing was he was famous for not being famous,” Parton said.

Their secret to 60 years: “Stay gone. Nobody likes somebody to be stuck in their face all the time — that’s why we get along so good.” He didn’t love her music, but he loved music and most importantly, he loved Dolly. In 2023, Parton released Rockstar — a rock album featuring collaborations with legends including Paul McCartney and Elton John. “Most of these songs I chose because of Carl,” she told GMA. “Because I knew they were good songs ’cause he knows good music. He does.” The man who preferred Led Zeppelin shaped her country catalog and her rock album. He just never wanted credit for either.

Without Carl, I Wouldn’t Be Here View this post on Instagram

Carl Dean died on March 3, 2025. He was 82. Parton released “If You Hadn’t Been There” days after his death and put him on the cover art. “I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old,” she wrote on Instagram. “Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song.”

In her November 2025 People cover story, she said: “Ours is a great old love story. Most people don’t stay that close that long. That’s a loss. Nobody can ever know that unless you’ve experienced it yourself.” She found unexpected comfort in the Broadway-bound musical Dolly: A True Original. When the actor playing Carl took the stage and said, “Hello, I’m Carl Dean,” the audience applauded. “It’s almost like he was never gone,” she said. “So now he’ll always be here too.”

Their crypt features two intertwined wedding rings engraved with the date May 30, 1966. She’ll be buried alongside him in Nashville.

NBC / Getty Images

She outlived him by seventeen months. She made it to August 25th.

Carl Dean was an asphalt contractor from Nashville who fell in love with a girl doing laundry on her first day in the city. He said he was going to marry her. He did. He stayed home while she became Dolly Parton. He never went to the awards shows. He never gave interviews. He just loved her. A bank teller once flirted with him and he accidentally gave the world “Jolene.”

That’s more than enough.

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There’s plenty of joy that comes with seasonal decorating, from the first pumpkin on the porch to the fall wreath on the door to the tablecloth that makes the dining room ready for holiday dinners. We’re always excited to get started, but there’s one tiny problem with all that festive enthusiasm: So much decor has an alarmingly short shelf life. Before Halloween arrives, we decorate, and then a few weeks later, we’re already supposed to be taking everything down and starting over for Thanksgiving.

A gourd motif, though, can play the long game. Walmart’s $9 Ayprnig Fall Pumpkin Door Mat is a fall find you can put out in September and leave right where it is through November, so you get months of seasonal charm without having to redecorate your doorstep every time the calendar flips. It’s an especially easy way to start bringing in those warm autumn touches early, when you’re ready for pumpkins but not quite ready to go full Halloween.

Ayprnig Fall Pumpkin Door Mat, $9 (was $10) at Walmart

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This doormat’s natural brown surface features the classic entryway word, “Welcome,” written in a swirly black script font. Cleverly, the “o”  in the word has been swapped out, and in its place sits a plump orange pumpkin. Darker orange shading on the body gives the illustration dimension, building out those classic curves, while a curly, leafy green vine extends from the thick brown stem. 

The coir construction is practical for any entryway, too. Coarse, weather-resistant natural fibers help brush dirt and debris from shoes as guests come inside, while a skid-resistant backing helps hold the mat in place underfoot to avoid accidents. And when leaves, grass, or dirt begin collecting on the surface, you can simply shake it out or lightly vacuum it rather than having to wash the entire mat.

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At nearly 16 by 24 inches, this mat is sized to sit neatly in front of a standard exterior door without taking over a smaller porch or stoop. The manufacturer recommends placing it in a sheltered or covered entryway, making it a natural fit beneath a covered front porch, apartment hallway, mudroom entrance, or protected back door. Shipping is just $1.49, with delivery expected between Sept. 9 and 16, so you can have the doormat in time to kick off your fall decorating.

Related: Kohl’s Adorable $24 Ghost Braided Basket Makes Halloween Decor Surprisingly Practical

Consider your September-through-November porch decor sorted. Shop the $9 Ayprnig Fall Pumpkin Door Mat at Walmart now!

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