Heartbreaking story of why Tim Curry was left needing a wheelchair after life-changing event
Tim Curry was left wheelchair bound after life-changing event a number of years ago in which he never recovered.
The movie star, famed for roles in Home Alone 2 and the The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was tragically confirmed dead aged 80 on Wednesday (26 August) after suffering with health issues for more than a decade.
Curry, whose career spanned six decades, suffered a major stroke in 2012 which forced him to use a wheelchair.
And last year, he stated that he was still unable to walk, seen doing rare TV interviews from the wheelchair.
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Following the incident, he was forced to undertake physical and speech therapy but was eventually able to return to work via voice acting.
This included on the TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars as Chancellor Palpatine and Darth Sidious.
Throughout the rest of his career he continued to experience mobility issues, particularly in his left arm and leg, as well as his short term memory.
Curry has spoken openly in interviews about suffering the major stroke, and recalled that a massage therapist had noticed signs of distress and called an ambulance even though he felt fine.
In a CBS interview last year, he reflected openly on his health struggles and thoughts on mortality.
"I don’t fear death," he admitted. "I try to avoid it. I think we all do, but I suspect that in the end, I will welcome it.
"I think it may be very comforting to go bye-bye, and I want to earn it."
Discussing his stroke, he continued: "I was scared. I had to learn how to speak again. That was very weird.
"I hated not being able to speak. 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.’
Back in 2015, the veteran Broadway actor received the organisation's lifetime achievement award. "I’m doing well and I’m looking forward to it," he told Los Angeles magazine prior to the party.
"I’ve done a few benefits for the Actors Fund and I think it’s a marvellous organisation. I hope not to have to use it."
He said to have a sense of humour during his recovery was 'absolutely vital'. "It’s not tough to maintain," he told the magazine. "It is just part of my DNA."
Other films in the British star's impressive list of credits include: Annie, Clue, Legend, Addams Family Reunion and Charlie's Angels.
His big break came in the early 70s following his first full-time role in the original London cast of the musical Hair. Here, he met Richard O'Brien who wrote his legendary role as Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show.
The actor helped develop the mad scientist on stage in London and of course, he soon became a household name with the 1975 film adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Topics: Entertainment, Film, Celebrity
James Holt