This man is one of the most prolific actors known for his diverse roles in TV, theatre, and film. His timeless works have lasted decades, and he prides himself in being an industry trailblazer.

Unfortunately, the actor suffered a life-threatening illness in 2012 that slurred his speech and changed his looks. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic and continues to impact lives.

This actor is celebrated for numerous films.

His journey toward stardom started when the actor took his first breath on April 19, 1946.

Born in Grappenhall, Warrington, United Kingdom, his family relocated to Hong Kong when he was only an infant but moved back to England when his father suffered a stroke. In his formative years, the actor spent much time with his maternal grandfather.

Growing up, he knew he always wanted to be an actor, but he discovered his voice first and began singing in church. He could already hit high soprano notes at age six, and at ten, he appeared in his first William Shakespeare play.

Even though none of his family members were actors — his mother, Patricia, was a school secretary, and his dad, James, a Methodist Royal Navy chaplain — he seemed destined for a life in show business.

After completing high school at the Kingswood School, he attended Birmingham University to study drama, and while there, he had his first brush with fame. He shared a house with actor, screenwriter, and director Patrick Barlow, who thought he had an incredible singing voice:

“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 recalls how they would go out for drinks and fun, and at the end of the night, the actor would break out in song. However, despite his rich bluesy singing voice, the actor’s talent was still undiscovered.

Shortly after graduating with a combined drama and theatre studies degree at Birmingham University, he was denied admission to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Still, he was determined to reach his acting goal one way or another. He and his friends got into a car and headed to London, and within a day of being there, he had landed his first professional gig.

His first role was to sing in the beloved yet controversial musical “Hair,” a part he almost missed out on. The producers soon discovered that he had no prior acting experience, but they were so impressed with his voice that they decided to give him a chance. “Hair” became the actor’s saving grace, and he was instantly thrown into fame.

The stage was set for him, and soon after, he started working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Glasgow Civic Repertory Company. However, it was while working with the Royal Court Theatre that he delivered his first-ever acting role that would redefine the course of his life and cement his place in the business.

His magnificent rendition of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show” in London and Los Angeles in 1973 and 1974 shot him to instant prominence. Still, his reprisal of the role in the 1975 Hollywood production of the show became a game-changer.

The show was an instant success and became a cult classic, throwing the actor into unprecedented levels of stardom. From there, he hit the ground running, appearing in other fan favorites such as the Broadway production of “Amadeus,” and “My Favorite Year.”

Besides Broadway, the actor also receives acclaim for playing diverse roles as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in “It,” Wadsworth in “Clue,” Darkness in “Legend,” and Rooster Hannigan in “Annie.” In 1992, he again garnered further acclaim with his appearance as the stuffy and suspicious Mr. Hector in the timeless “Home Alone: Lost in New York.”

His talents are, however, not limited to acting as he has also voiced numerous characters such as Sir Nigel Thornberry in “The Wild Thornberrys,” Hexxus in “FernGully: The Last Rainforest,” Captain Hook in “Peter Pan & the Pirates,” and Palpatine in “Star Wars” The Clone Wars.”

Over the years, he continued taking on exciting roles that have made him successful. For someone who has been in the limelight for decades, Tim Curry has remained relatively private about his personal life.

He does not fancy talking about his love life as he feels it should not interest his fans. However, what’s known about him is that he has never married and has no children.

And while we cannot entirely dismiss the possible existence of a partner, there is no public reference or sightings of the actor’s significant other. What we do know, however, is that he had an older sister, who is since deceased, and is an uncle of three — two nieces and a nephew.

What Happened to Tim Curry After the Stroke?

Even after decades of staying on top of his game, Curry did not seem to be slowing down until a life-changing event stopped him in his tracks. In 2012, the actor suffered a stroke that confined him to a wheelchair.

The stroke changed his appearance and slurred his speech, and while he thankfully survived, it altered the course of his life.

For a while, his illness remained a secret, with those who knew about it — close friends and family — keeping mum for close to a year after it happened. But ultimately, DailyMail caught wind of the tragedy and let the cat out of the bag.

He had to undergo rigorous physical and speech therapy in the ensuing years. Yet, he has managed to maintain a sense of humor through it all:

“It’s not tough to maintain. It is just part of my DNA.”

Despite his predicament, the actor has remained optimistic and chooses to see only the good side of the situation. “I do try to look on the bright side of life because I think it’s dull and annoying to look on the dark side of life, and you’re no fun to be with. And I think that’s a personal responsibility of everyone,” he said.

In the years following his stroke, Curry did not sit and sulk. Instead, he has become involved in numerous charity works. He has done a few benefits for the Actors Fund, which he says is a marvelous organization but one he hopes he never gets to use.

Actor Tim Curry in April 2016 | Source: Getty Images

Gradually, he is returning to public events, and in 2016, he attended a movie premiere and a comic convention in North Carolina in 2019. In 2020, he also appeared at the live stream reading of the original “Rocky Horror” script.