Richard O’Brien, the creator of the iconic character Dr. Frank N. Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, recently shared that the inspiration for the character came from his own personal experiences with cross-dressing and grappling with his gender identity. O’Brien, a young aspiring actor from New Zealand living in London in the early 1970s, used his own struggles as the foundation for the character that would become a cult classic.
In an interview, O’Brien revealed that he used to beat himself up about the hand he was dealt when it came to his gender identity. In a binary world where homosexuality was considered a crime, O’Brien felt that society wasn’t very accepting of people like him. However, looking back on his creation of Dr. Frank N. Furter, O’Brien believes that it was a cathartic experience for him.
O’Brien, now 81 years old, has been married three times to three different women and has three children. However, when it comes to his own gender identity, he doesn’t feel that a binary answer is sufficient. O’Brien has always wanted to be whole and complete, but he acknowledges that there is so much femininity within him that it would have made more sense if he had been born a girl. However, O’Brien also recognizes the privileges he’s had as a man in a patriarchal and misogynistic world.
Reflecting on the Rocky Horror phenomenon, O’Brien admits that while he admires the clever artistry of audience participation at screenings and stagings of the show, at times it can go too far. He recalls instances where the rowdy response from fans became rude and intrusive, taking away from the experience for the actors on stage. O’Brien emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between audience participation and respecting the performers.
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Despite the challenges, O’Brien still finds joy in some of the classic moments from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He especially appreciates the sight gag of throwing the pitchfork off the screen while dressed as American Gothic and hearing someone react with an “Arrggh!” below.
As The Rocky Horror Picture Show celebrates its 50th anniversary, fans can immerse themselves in the world of Rocky Horror through a special collection of NFTs. Additionally, listeners can enjoy the full Richard O’Brien episode of the It Happened in Hollywood podcast, which delves into the history and behind-the-scenes stories of the movie industry.
The enduring success of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a testament to O’Brien’s talent and the themes of acceptance, identity, and liberation that it explores. By drawing from his own experiences and challenging societal norms, O’Brien created a character that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
