The musical The Rocky Horror Show, which premiered in London in 1973, remains a staple on stage and was adapted into the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975. Despite its status as a quintessential cult film, few have actually watched it from start to finish.
Nevertheless, the face of the film's protagonist is likely etched in the memories of many. The striking visual of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, portrayed by Tim Curry, has become synonymous with the work and a symbol of cult cinema.
Tim Curry's iconic face is not limited to Dr. Frank-N-Furter. In the 1990 two-part ABC miniseries It, based on Stephen King's novel, he portrayed Pennywise, a character that has become emblematic of clowns. Although Bill Skarsgård later took on the same role in the film adaptation, he has often been compared unfavorably to Curry's portrayal.
Throughout his career, Curry took on numerous roles, but only a few faces remain in the public's memory. These faces continue to live on in film long after the actor has passed.
Another actor with a memorable face is Heath Ledger, who played the Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. Ledger's portrayal featured a white-painted face and a grotesquely grinning mouth, combined with a disturbing habit of licking his lips, creating a legendary version of the character.
Ledger died in 2008, just before the film's release. Ironically, his death intensified the impact of the Joker's image. He posthumously won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and his Joker has set a standard for many villains that followed.
Robin Williams left behind a very different legacy. In Dead Poets Society, he played John Keating, a teacher who encouraged students to view the world from different perspectives. When Keating was forced to leave the school due to unfortunate circumstances, students climbed onto their desks to bid him farewell, leading to the famous line, “O Captain! My Captain!” The image of Keating smiling silently at his students is likely the first face that comes to mind for those who remember Williams.
After his passing, this scene evokes a complex emotion, serving as both a farewell from students to their teacher and a goodbye from audiences to the actor. While Williams was known for making people laugh, the face that lingers longest after his death is that of the calm and gentle Keating.
In South Korea, there is also a face that resonates deeply. Actor Byeon Hee-bong passed away in September 2023 after battling pancreatic cancer. In Bong Joon-ho's The Host, Byeon portrayed Park Hee-bong, a father running a snack shop by the Han River, worried about his grown family.
As a father of a middle school daughter, he compassionately defended his underachieving son, explaining the terrible smell of a parent who has lost a child. His final expression during a confrontation with the monster is considered a highlight of the film.
With no resentment or fear, he gestures for his children to flee, embodying the essence of a father. Among the many fathers depicted in Korean cinema, Byeon Hee-bong's face in The Host has become a defining image for audiences.
Finally, there is Ahn Sung-ki, whose significance is somewhat different. Rather than being associated with a specific character, he symbolizes the history of Korean cinema itself.
Debuting as a child actor in 1957, Ahn has been one of the most familiar faces to Korean audiences throughout his life. His presence in any film is instantly recognizable, a face that needs no introduction.
With over 100 films to his credit, Ahn has many memorable faces, but one stands out. After much consideration, I would highlight his role as a struggling comedian in the 1989 film Comedian. I still remember watching it on TV during my childhood, when Korean films were occasionally aired.
In this debut film by director Lee Myung-se, Ahn played Lee Jong-se, a third-rate comedian. His awkward yet endearing, bright yet lonely face seemed to convey something to the young viewers of that time.
Ahn Sung-ki's face has captured the joys and sorrows of ordinary people, preserving countless moments in Korean cinema. He passed away on January 5, 2026.
Ultimately, what actors leave behind is not just their filmography. A single scene, expression, or voice can resonate far longer than the titles of dozens of films. Just like Tim Curry's Dr. Frank, Heath Ledger's Joker, Robin Williams' Keating, Byeon Hee-bong's Park Hee-bong, and Ahn Sung-ki's many faces.
Though the actor may have departed from this world, their face becomes a lasting image in our memories. Each time a film is revisited or a specific scene is encountered, that face comes alive again, making us forget that the actor is no longer with us.
Perhaps the most beautiful fate bestowed upon an actor is to remain in the memories of others long after they are gone. A face that continues to appear in someone’s memory, even after the screen goes dark. Though the actor may die, the face they left behind continues to exist among us.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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