In 2012, Tim Curry’s life was changed forever when the beloved actor suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair. The actor had to relearn everyday moments, and despite putting on a brave face for the public, Curry’s friend opened up about how that truly impacted him.
Curry passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the age of 8, at his Toluca Lake residence.
“He was such a lively and animated person with so much talent at his fingertips that he missed the life that he had before his devastating stroke, as it took so much from him,” an insider told the Daily Mail. “The past few years have taken a tremendous toll on his health.’
The outlet also reported that Curry was spotted for a rare outing in Los Angeles in April, which was four months before his death, and he appeared frail.
Curry was best known for his role in the cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” starring as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. He was also known for playing the terrifying clown Pennywise in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King’s “It,” as well as Mr. Hector in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” Curry also appeared in “Annie,” “Clue,” “The Hunt for Red October,” “Muppet Treasure Island,” “Addams Family Reunion,” and “Scary Movie 2.” Throughout his legendary career, he received three Tony Award nominations and won a Daytime Emmy for his voice performance in “Peter Pan and the Pirates.”
Tim Curry Addressed His Health At Appearance Less Than A Year Before His Passing
During the 50th-anniversary celebration of his beloved and iconic movie “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Curry addressed the crowd, making comments about his health.
“I still can’t walk, which is why I’m in this silly chair, and that’s very limiting,” he said last fall. “So, I won’t be singing and I won’t be dancing very soon.”
He also detailed what he was doing when he suffered the stroke.
“I was having a massage at the time and I didn’t even actually notice anything, but the guy who was doing the massage said, ‘I’m worried about you, I want to call an ambulance.’ And he did, and I said, ‘That’s so silly,’” Curry recalled.
He went into more detail about the stroke in his memoir, saying that when he woke up in the hospital, he was able to comprehend that people were speaking to him, but he couldn’t respond, writing that they “did not register or settle without effort.” Ultimately, doctors found two blood clots in his brain, and he underwent emergency surgery.
Tim Curry Said He Doesn’t ‘Fear Death’
In a resurfaced interview with “CBS Sunday Morning” in October 2025, Curry was speaking about his numerous health struggles, specifically regarding the physical limitations he faced every day after his stroke.
Specifically, he was asked about his approach to mortality.
“I don’t fear death,” Curry said. “I suspect that at some point I’ll welcome it.”
“I think there is something comforting about saying goodbye,” he added.
