As a result of his Rocky Horror Picture Show performance, Tim Curry gained cult status. The English actor and singer began his career on stage and has since acted for more than four decades in Hollywood.
When Tim had a stroke in 2012, his whole world turned upside down. The 76-year-old was lucky enough to pull through, but he spent years in occupational and speech therapy.
I mean, what exactly is Tim Curry up to today? I was wondering how he was doing after the stroke. Detailed information is provided below.
Tim Curry was born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, England. James’s dad was a minister in the Royal Navy, and mum was a secretary at their son’s school.
His Early Years: Tim Curry
Tim’s family uprooted to Hong Kong when he was only a baby. His father had a stroke there, and tragedy overtook the family. As a result, he and his family settled once again in Plymouth, England.
He was close to his maternal grandpa, who happened to also play a significant part in his life. Tim’s father was very involved in the church, and as a result, Tim showed some musical promise.
Tim began singing soprano in his church choir at age six, and by age ten he was performing Shakespeare.
Curry and his family relocated to London after the death of his father. He went to the Bath, England, branch of the prestigious Kingswood School and always had the makings of a star.
Tim graduated and immediately enrolled in the theatre programme at Birmingham University. He received his bachelor’s degree in theatrical arts and theatre in 1968.
Curry lived with the actor, writer, and director Patrick Barlow when he attended college in Birmingham.
As was previously noted, Curry was a talented vocalist back then. But at that point, his acting skills were still in the background. Curry was almost a headliner in his own right.
The exceptional singing voice “was just completely perfect, just something he was born with – it came ready-made,” Barlow told The Guardian.
A former flatmate said, “We used to go to university parties and end up having a drink and whatever, and he would break out into song, this marvellous bluesy voice.”
Excellent new developments in ‘Hair’
In 1968, after graduation, Curry, Barlow, and a few other friends were riding in a vehicle towards London. Tim was not allowed to perform at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre due to his lack of Actors’ Equity membership. He was advised to look for other means of achieving his goal.
No one knew what to anticipate, but they decided to go to Chalk Farm and hang out with a street theatrical company. After just 24 hours in London, Tim had already landed his first professional job, thanks in large part to his distinctive voice.
No one back then actually understood the ins and outs of anything, but someone told us about it. Barlow remembered, “We got there, and of course I was the only one that remained.
The following day, Tim and Judy started working at Hair. Of course, Tim only had to sing, and Judy just had to respond, “Hello, I’m here.”
Tim’s first professional role was almost missed out on until he was cast in the London production of the iconic but controversial rock musical Hair.
Curry was questioned about his prior acting experience and whether or not he was an Actors’ Equity Association member during his audition. Tim allegedly fabricated both on his website.
Rather than a singer, he wanted to be an actor.
Producers were “sufficiently impressed” with his skill and presence despite learning quickly that he lacked both professional experience and an Equity card. Because of it, they ended up becoming his union sponsors.
I really wanted to participate in the Sodomy, Fellatio… number, but instead I was relegated to leaping about in the back with the rest of the ensemble. This production has a lot of odd qualities.
If they were feeling a little high or decided to remain in, they just didn’t show up. But I held it together like a true trooper. Tim affirmed, “I was a reliable presence.”
Tim Curry’s hair catapulted him to stardom. But he still had not decided on a career path for himself. He had a strong desire to sing, but he was also interested in pursuing a career in acting.
Tim mentioned receiving recording contracts and invitations to join bands in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. But his true enthusiasm resided elsewhere.
A lot of people tried to get me to join their bands or sign me to recording contracts. The more I considered it, though, the more irritable I became. “No, no, no,” he said, “I’ve made up my mind; I want to be an actor.”
“Hair was like a drama school to me. You could always go back and change your lines. Your physical stature has grown. And since everyone was vying for focus, you rapidly learnt to assert yourself.
Tim followed his dream and became an actor, performing with the RSC, the Glasgow CRC, and the Royal Court Theatre.
‘The Rocky Horror Show’ starring Tim Curry.
In the musical The Rocky Horror Show, Curry had a stellar performance as the crazed transvestite scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter at the Royal Court Theatre.
This change was going to affect the rest of her life. He was cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 film adaptation of The Rocky Horror Show.
They had me try out, and I auditioned by singing “Tutti Frutti,” which seemed fitting. Before I got the suit, I was playing [Frank-N-Furter] as a German. He described it to Entertainment Weekly as “quite diva.”
“A lady on the bus once asked another passenger, in a very refined tone, “Are you looking at a new home upon retiring, or your spot in the country?” and I said to myself.
“That’s it!” Like the Queen, almost. From the start, it was a huge success. The theatre was quite modest. Only 60 people could fit inside. They sent it to California, namely Los Angeles.
After its premiere in 1975, Rocky Horror Picture Show was an instant hit. Curry co-starred with Meat Loaf, Patricia Quinn, Barry Bostwick, and Susan Sarandon.
The movie didn’t win any Oscars, but it became a cult classic and catapulted Tim to superstardom. But it didn’t stop Curry from being booted out of a viewing of his film.
Saying, “I was hoping it was going to be a very commercial Warhol movie,” he elaborated on his expectations.
It was strange since I really resided in the structure just behind the Waverly. I did go to the movies, but they kicked me out because they felt I wasn’t who I said I was.
What they really said was, “Get out of here.” Tim avoided talking about the programme for a long time because he was afraid it would label him.
Use Ian McKellen
Curry maintained his career in both film and cinema, and in 1979, production was slated to begin on the sequel Rocky Horror Shows His Heels. But Tim was not on board with the concept.
By that time, he had released records, taken his singing career on the road, and was a familiar face on Broadway and in cinema and television.
Curry recorded three albums for A&M Records between 1978 and 1981. Only one of his albums, I Do The Rock, was even a moderate success, peaking at No. 53 on the Billboard charts.
At around the same period, Curry began collaborating regularly with McKellen. They were both in the critically acclaimed stage production of Mozart.
Curry called it “one of his proudest pieces of work” since he and his co-star both garnered Tony nominations for their performances.
Six years later, he played a seasoned pirate in The Muppets on Treasure Island, and in 1990, he played the notorious clown Pennywise in It. He really liked the second option.
“What’s extraordinary is that after the first day or two, you don’t think of them as Muppets,” he said. You treat them like performers in a play: “You think of them as characters.”
Actor Tim Curry poses for a portrait on December 4, 2021, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Seattle, Washington, at Emerald City Comic Con. (Image: Mat Hayward/Getty Images)
As Long John Silver, Tim took front stage. His wish came realised when he got to work with the Muppets.
Even his grandfather’s West English accent was used for the part. One of the most joyous film sets I’ve ever been a part of. “The Muppets have an unusually low level of ego,” Curry said.
Tim Curry’s health after his stroke
Nothing could stop Curry at this time in his career as he continued to perform on television, in movies, and in the theatre. He continued to perform music into his 60s.
However, tragedy struck in 2012 when the popular performer had a stroke. Fortunately, he pulled through, but the ordeal undoubtedly altered the course of his life.
According to reports, Curry’s health was kept concealed from the Daily Mail for a whole year by his family and friends.
The actor and singer needed years of speech and physical treatment after suffering a stroke. But Tim knew he would get through it, even if it altered his life in every way.
After suffering a stroke, Curry found that humour was “vital” to his recovery. “I’m doing well and I’m looking forward to it,” the 69-year-old actor said to Los Angeles Magazine in 2015.
I’ve helped raise money for the Actors Fund at a few different events, and it’s a great cause. Obviously, I’d rather not have to use it. In addition, “it’s not tough to maintain,” he said.
“It’s in my genes,” I said. According to his website, Tim is still actively recovering via regular sessions of physical and speech therapy.
He had a stroke, but it hasn’t stopped him from working and doing what he enjoys. Tim is a current LA resident. His biography states that he is single and childless.
Wealth and family life for Tim Curry
He spends his free time reading and drawing. It has also been said that Curry is an avid gardener. He is an interior designer and landscape architect who has built residences and homes in the Los Angeles region.
According to his profile, “Tim has been making monthly private autograph signing appearances and public appearances at conventions since 2016 to meet his fans and pose for photos.”
“Tim’s special guest appearances at large events like Comic Con, MegaCon, GalaxyCon, and Fan eXpo have taken him all over the United States and Canada.”
Tim Curry has a net worth of around $14 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. The news that Tim Curry is recovering well after his stroke has brought us much joy. Please remember him by sharing this story with your Facebook friends and family.