Beloved actor Tim Curry has passed away at 80 after years of health challenges.
He suffered a stroke in 2012 and never regained his ability to walk. He used a wheelchair and transitioned to voice over roles in his later career.
After surviving two blood clots and a subsequent brain surgery, Tim Curry valiantly fought during the recovery process. He eventually regained his ability to speak, which was incredibly important to him.
In the wake of his passing, many fans are revisiting the actor’s long path to recovery following his initial stroke.
Tim Curry Courageously Regained the Ability to Speak
In 2012, Tim Curry suffered a stroke during a routine massage. At the time, the actor didn’t notice anything strange or unusual. However, the masseuse quickly became worried and called for emergency services.
Thanks to the masseuse’s fast action, Tim Curry survived the medical episode. However, he faced a long road ahead of him.
“@officialtimcurry reflects on his recovery after suffering two blood clots and undergoing brain surgery. The actor says he had to relearn how to speak — a challenge for someone who “loves words” and admits he often has to be told to ‘shut up,'” the official CBS Sunday Morning Instagram account shared.
“I understand that I had two blood clots in my brain,” the actor told the outlet, confirming that he underwent a very invasive, serious procedure to correct the issues.
“I was in the hospital for a while, I think about a month,” Curry recalled. “And I had a certain amount of rehabilitation. I had to learn how to speak again. That was very weird. I hated not being able to speak because I speak a lot. I have to be told to shut up a lot.”
The “Rocky Horror” star went on to describe how much he loves words and communicating with others.
The Actor Appeared at a ‘Rocky Horror’ 50th Anniversary Event Last Year
Last fall, Tim Curry attended a 50th anniversary screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The Hollywood Reporter noted that the actor seemed delighted to attend, though he wasn’t thrilled about his mobility issues.
“I still can’t walk, which is why I’m in this silly chair, and that’s very limiting. So I won’t be singing and I won’t be dancing very soon. I still have real problems with my left leg,” Curry told the audience.
Nevertheless, the actor expressed gratitude that fans still love “Rocky Horror” after all these years.
“I’m so excited by this and very honored by the Academy to do this presentation of our movie, which has dragged on for 50 years,” Curry quipped.
Above all else, he loved how much “Rocky Horror” resonated with the LGBTQ+ community.
“I think the message of the film, ‘don’t dream it, be it,’ is very important,” Curry added. “One of the things that the movie does, I think, is give anyone permission to behave as badly as they really want, in whatever way and with whom. And I’m proud of that.”
Our hearts go out to Tim Curry’s loved ones during this difficult time.
