Tim Curry, a renowned English actor and singer, captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with his iconic portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show.
His career spanning over four decades has been a testament to his talent and versatility.
However, in 2012, Curry faced a significant challenge when he suffered a stroke, altering his life in profound ways. Thankfully, he survived, but for years, the 77-year-old had to go to both physical and speech therapy.
So what is Tim Curry doing today? And how is he doing after the stroke? Here’s all you need to know!
Tim Curry was born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, England.
His upbringing was marked by early exposure to music and theater, shaped by his father’s profession as a Methodist Royal Navy chaplain and his mother’s role as a school secretary.
At a young age, tragedy struck Tim’s family when his father suffered a stroke while they were residing in Hong Kong. Following this, they relocated to Plymouth, England, where Tim spent considerable time with his maternal grandfather, who played a significant role in nurturing his talents.
Tim’s affinity for singing emerged at age six when he became a soprano in his local church choir. By age ten, he delved into Shakespearean acting, laying the groundwork for his future theatrical career.
While studying in Birmingham, Curry shared a house with actor, screenwriter, and director Patrick Barlow. At the time, Curry was, as mentioned, a great singer. However, his acting hadn’t really yet come to the fore.
In fact, Curry was pretty much seen as a major solo star.
“I remember being amazed by his extraordinary singing voice – it was just completely perfect, just something he was born with – it came ready-made,” Barlow told The Guardian.
“We would go to university parties and end up having a drink and whatever, and he would break out into song, this marvellous bluesy voice.”
Breakthrough work in ‘Hair’
Following their 1968 graduation, Curry, Barlow, and a few other companions found themselves in a car bound for London. Tim had encountered a setback in his aspiration to join the Birmingham Repertory Theater due to his lack of Actors’ Equity membership. Undeterred, he resolved to pursue his dream through alternative means.
Their destination was a street theater ensemble in Chalk Farm, albeit with uncertain expectations. Tim’s distinctive voice had already become his calling card in his early endeavors, and within just 24 hours of arriving in London, he secured his inaugural professional engagement.
“We had heard about it, though none of us really knew the ropes back then. When we arrived, I ended up being the only one who stuck around,” Barlow reminisced.
“The next day, Tim and Judy landed roles in ‘Hair.’ All Tim had to do was sing, naturally, while Judy just had to introduce herself.”
Tim’s debut as a professional performer came with the original London production of the rock musical ‘Hair,’ though his involvement was nearly missed.
During his audition, Curry was questioned about his prior professional experience and whether he held an Equity card. According to his website, Tim fibbed about both.
Wanted to be an actor rather than a singer
Despite producers quickly discovering his lack of professional experience and an Equity card, they were “sufficiently impressed” by his talent and charisma. This led to them sponsoring him for union membership.
“I had hoped to perform the ‘Sodomy, Fellatio…’ song, but I ended up just bouncing around at the back as part of the ensemble. It was a rather peculiar production. People tended to skip rehearsals if they were a bit high or decided to stay home. But I was dedicated. I always showed up,” Tim recounted.
‘Hair’ catapulted Tim Curry into instant fame. However, he remained uncertain about his career path. While he yearned to sing, he also harbored ambitions of becoming a professional actor. In an interview with the LA Times, Tim explained that he was tempted with recording contracts and opportunities to join music groups. Yet, his true passion lay elsewhere.
“I was offered various things, recording contracts, invitations to join bands. But upon reflection, I became rather firm. No, no, no, I resolved, I want to pursue acting,” he asserted.
“I approached ‘Hair’ as if it were a drama school. You had the freedom to reshape your role. You honed your physical presence. And with everyone vying for attention, you quickly learned how to command the spotlight.”
Thus, Tim committed himself to pursuing his passion for acting, securing roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Glasgow Civic Repertory Company, and the Royal Court Theatre.
Tim Curry – ‘The Rocky Horror Show’
With the Royal Court Theatre, Curry delivered a stellar performance as the eccentric transvestite scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show musical. This marked a pivotal moment in his career. In 1975, he reprised the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter when the production transitioned to Hollywood.
“They invited me to audition, and I sang ‘Tutti Frutti,’ which felt quite fitting, really. Initially, I portrayed [Frank-N-Furter] as German, but then I saw the costume. It was undeniably diva-esque,” he recounted to Entertainment Weekly.
“One day, I overheard a woman on the bus speaking in this posh accent, discussing property investments and retirement plans, and it clicked! Almost like the Queen. Well, it was an instant hit from the opening night. The theater was tiny, only 60 seats. Then they brought it over to Los Angeles.”
The 1975 release of the film ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ proved to be a monumental success. Curry starred alongside Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Meat Loaf. While the film didn’t secure any prestigious awards, it attained cult status and propelled Tim to newfound stardom.
However, this newfound fame didn’t shield him from an unexpected incident: being ejected from a screening of his own film.
“I had hoped it would be a sort of commercial Warhol-esque film,” he remarked. “It was peculiar because, in fact, I lived in the building behind the Waverly Cinema. I did attend, only to be kicked out because they mistook me for an impostor, not realizing I was actually me. ‘Get out of here’ is precisely what they said.”
For years, Tim hesitated to discuss the show, fearing it would pigeonhole him into a specific typecast.
Work with Ian McKellen
Curry continued his work across both film and theater, and by 1979, plans were underway for the sequel to ‘Rocky Horror,’ titled ‘Rocky Horror Shows His Heels.’ However, Tim opted out of participating in the project. By this time, he had honed his singing abilities, releasing albums, touring, and regularly appearing on Broadway, in television series, and films.
Between 1978 and 1981, Curry released three studio albums with A&M Records. While none achieved significant commercial success, he did have a modest hit with “I Do The Rock,” which peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard charts.
During this period, Curry also collaborated with the legendary actor Ian McKellen. The duo starred in the theatrical production ‘Mozart,’ which garnered widespread acclaim. Both actors received Tony nominations for their performances, a moment Tim regarded as one of his proudest achievements.
He then took on the iconic role of the menacing clown Pennywise in ‘It’ (1990), followed by portraying a professional pirate in ‘Muppet Treasure Island’ six years later. Tim fondly recalled the latter experience as immensely enjoyable.
“What’s remarkable is that after the initial days, you stop seeing them as Muppets,” he remarked. “You perceive them as characters — as fellow actors.”
In ‘Muppet Treasure Island,’ Tim portrayed Long John Silver. Working with the Muppets was a dream come true for him. He even adopted his grandfather’s West England accent for the role.
“It was one of the most delightful sets I’ve ever been on. There’s a remarkable absence of ego among the Muppets,” Curry added.
Tim Curry – stroke & health status
At this juncture, nothing could hinder Curry’s prolific presence across television, film, and theater. He also continued singing well into his 60s. However, tragedy struck in 2012 when the beloved entertainer experienced a stroke. Though he survived, the incident significantly impacted his life.
Family and friends purportedly kept Curry’s stroke under wraps for a year, but eventually, news of his health surfaced in the Daily Mail. The stroke necessitated years of physical and speech therapy for the actor and singer. Despite the profound changes it brought, Tim remained optimistic about his recovery.
Humor played a “vital” role in Curry’s recuperation from the stroke.
“I’m doing well and looking forward to the future,” the 69-year-old actor shared with Los Angeles Magazine in 2015. “I’ve participated in several benefits for the Actors Fund, and I find it to be a wonderful organization. I hope not to need it myself.”
“It’s not difficult to maintain,” he added. “It’s just part of who I am.”
To this day, Tim continues to engage in physical and speech therapy as part of his ongoing recovery, as stated on his website.
Despite facing the challenge of a stroke, Curry remains undeterred in pursuing his passion and continues to work. He currently resides in Los Angeles. According to his biography, he has never married and does not have children.
Tim Curry – family, net worth
During his leisure time, Tim indulges in his passions for reading and painting. Additionally, he’s known to have a green thumb, finding joy in gardening. He’s cultivated a stunning garden on his property and has also showcased his talent as an interior designer by renovating properties and homes across the Los Angeles area.
“Since 2016, Tim has been actively engaging with fans at conventions, posing for photos and participating in private autograph signings each month,” his biography highlights.
“Tim has embarked on extensive travels throughout the USA and Canada, making special guest appearances at major events such as Comic Con, MegaCon, GalaxyCon, and Fan eXpo.”
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Tim Curry’s net worth is estimated to be around $14 million.
It’s heartening to witness Tim Curry’s resilience and continued success despite his stroke.
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