Tim Curry, the legendary actor best known for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has given fans a rare update on his health more than a decade after suffering a stroke.
Making a special appearance at a 50th anniversary celebration of the cult favorite on September 26, Curry, 79, spoke to the gathering at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. As he wheeled onto the stage in his wheelchair, the audience applauded wildly, cheering for the iconic actor who made such a legendary character his own.
Curry was honest with fans regarding the aftereffects of the stroke he experienced in 2012. “I still can’t walk, which is why I’m in this silly chair, and that’s very limiting,” he said to the crowd. “So I won’t be singing and I won’t be dancing very soon. I still have real problems with my left leg.
The actor said the stroke hit him suddenly when he was receiving a massage. He hadn’t even noticed that anything was amiss at the time, until the massage therapist realized something was wrong and called for an ambulance. That move so quickly helped him receive medical attention right away, but the long-term impact has greatly affected his mobility.
Despite these challenges, Curry expressed gratitude and joy at being part of the event, which reunited him with fellow Rocky Horror cast members Nell Campbell (Columbia) and Patricia Quinn (Magenta). “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,” he said with his signature wit.
Curry first performed Frank-N-Furter on the stage before bringing the character to the screen with the 1975 film. His work soon became a cultural sensation, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show established itself as one of the most lasting midnight movies of all time.
Since suffering a stroke, Curry has made a move mostly to voice acting work, providing his iconic voice to cartoon shows, movies, and video games. Plaza adhered to that philosophy by celebrating the anniversary in several different ways. Fans also soon will have a closer glimpse at his life, career, and battle with stroke illness in his new memoir, Vagabond, due for release on October 7. The memoir guarantees more intimate information about his ascension to superstardom in such classics as IT and Annie, as well as his comeback after his stroke.
The 50th anniversary observance of Rocky Horror extends way beyond the single-night occasion. The original cast members from the film, such as Barry Bostwick, Nell Campbell, and Patricia Quinn, are going on a 50+ city tour that started in September and will finish on November 13. The fans who go can look forward to seeing screenings of the unrated version of the film, live shadow cast shows, costume contests, memorabilia exhibits, and VIP meet-and-greets with the celebrities. Audience participation, the signature of Rocky Horror showings, will naturally be invited.
For Curry, the milestone is on a bittersweet note, though his mobility problems restrict him from performing the singing and dancing that characterized Frank-N-Furter, his on-stage presence and interaction with the audience show just how deeply his work has stayed with audiences for five decades. The actor’s grit, humor, and willingness to open up about his health struggles make him a cult favorite and also an inspiration.
As The Rocky Horror Picture Show continues to entertain new generations of fans, Tim Curry is still at the center, showing that despite his limitation, his legacy and influence on pop culture are as bright as ever.
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