Tim Curry: Following a major stroke in 2012, Tim Curry, the renowned British star famous for his roles in The Rocky Horror Show and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, has continued to land various acting and voiceover roles. Despite his health issues, he has remained active in his profession, but some fans may have been unaware of his condition. Let’s take a closer look at his career and see what he’s been up to in 2023.
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Tim Curry Early life
Timothy James Curry was born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire. His mother, Patricia (who passed away in June 1999), worked as a school secretary, and his father, James Curry, was a Royal Navy chaplain who died from pneumonia when Curry was just 12 years old. Curry had an elder sister named Judith, who was a concert pianist and passed away from a brain tumor in 2001.
Curry spent most of his childhood in Plymouth before his family moved to South London after his father’s death. He attended boarding school before ultimately studying at Kingswood School in Bath, Somerset. While growing up, Curry’s vocal talents shone through, and he became a skilled boy soprano (treble). However, he ultimately decided to focus on acting and graduated from the University of Birmingham with a combined BA in English and drama in 1968.
Tim Curry Career
Tim Curry is an English actor, voice actor, and singer, best known for his work in films, television, and theatre. Curry’s breakthrough role was that of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1973 musical The Rocky Horror Show. He continued to play this role in the 1975 film adaptation, which gave him a cult following.
Curry’s work in theatre has been highly acclaimed, and he has won three Tony Awards for his performances in Amadeus, My Favorite Year, and Spamalot. He has also appeared in several other films, including Clue, Legend, and The Hunt for Red October, as well as in television shows such as The Wild Thornberrys and Criminal Minds. Curry suffered a stroke in 2012, which forced him to retire from acting.
Albums
- Read My Lips (1978)
- Fearless (1979)
- Simplicity (1981)
- The Best of Tim Curry (1985; compilation album)
- From the Vaults (recorded 1976, released 2010)
Soundtracks and cast recordings
- The Rocky Horror Show (Original London cast) (1973)
- The Rocky Horror Show (Original Roxy cast) (1974)
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
- Annie (1982)
- Ferngully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
- My Favorite Year (Original Broadway cast) (1993)
- The Pebble and the Penguin (1995)
- Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
- Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
- Spamalot (Original Broadway cast) (2005)
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again (2016)
Others
- Spy (1979) – Backing vocals for “Vengeance” and “Pure Sin”
- The Wall – Live in Berlin (1990) – Live recording of “The Trial”
- Little Tramp (1992) – Concept album for musical
- Disney’s Music From the Park (1996) – “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”
Personal life
Following a major stroke in July 2012, Curry has been using a wheelchair for mobility. Consequently, he has focused his work primarily on voice acting, while still continuing to sing and appear at fan conventions.
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Throughout the mid-1970s, Curry developed a close friendship with Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury. The two had met after Mercury had seen Curry in the stage production of “The Rocky Horror Show” and its film adaptation in 1975. Apart from their shared passion for music, they also shared an interest in gardening, with Curry even designing Mercury’s garden. Curry and Mercury were both friends with Peter Straker, who had starred alongside Curry in the London production of “Hair.”
In October 2020, Curry reprised his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in a live table reading of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The event was held to support the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and raise funds for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.
What Happened To Tim Curry And When Did He Have A Stroke?
According to multiple media reports, Tim Curry suffered a “major” stroke in 2012, which resulted in him undergoing physical and speech therapy for his health recovery. His Los Angeles agent, Marcia Hurwitz, informed the Daily Mail in May 2013 that the actor was “doing great” and had retained his sense of humor during his recovery.
In recent years, Curry has continued to make appearances, including a premiere in 2016 and a comic convention in 2019. Despite his health struggles, the beloved actor’s iconic roles have been revisited by many fans on social media, and he continues to utilize his legendary voice in various projects.
Here Tim Curry Is Now
Tim Curry is currently based in Los Angeles, where he continues to receive physical and speech therapy for his recovery, according to his biography on his personal website. Along with his performance career, Curry is known for his interest in property development and has developed several homes in Los Angeles.
In December of last year, he made an appearance at the Emerald City Comic Con held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. His most recent media project, according to IMDB, is providing narration for the 2022 film Fork and voicing Necrofer the Death Bringer in the upcoming sci-fi animation Dagon: Troll World Chronicles.