Actor Tim Curry has given a rare update on his health after being left partially paralysed by a stroke in 2012.
The popular star, 79, thrilled fans with an appearance at a special screening last week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles.
He reunited for the event with co-stars Patricia Quinn, Barry Bostwick and Nell Campbell as well as producer Lou Adler, posing for photos with the film’s gang in a silky blue shirt and jeans and sitting in his wheelchair.
Tim, who originated his beloved Rocky Horror role Dr Frank-N-Furter on stage and in the film, was last seen onscreen in 2010 comedy movie Burke and Hare.
Since his stroke he has pivoted very successfully to focus on voice acting, but the star revealed at the event that he was still suffering with ‘real problems’ when it came to his health.
‘I still can’t walk, which is why I’m in this silly chair, and that’s very limiting,’ he told the audience at the event, adding: ‘So I won’t be singing and I won’t be dancing very soon. I still have real problems with my left leg.’
He also gave more detail about his stroke, sharing that he had been having a massage and hadn’t realised that anything unusual was occurring.
‘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”,’ Curry recalled, as per The Hollywood Reporter.
However, the Home Alone 2 star has lost none of his humour as he shifted on the conversation by yawning and quipping: ‘It’s awfully late, isn’t it? Why don’t we show the pic?’
He was also proud to talk about how Rocky Horror was embraced so enthusiastically by the LGBTQ+ community, saying that it ‘means a lot’.
‘I think the message of the film — don’t dream it, be it — is very important. One of the things that the movie does, I think, is give anyone permission to behave as badly as they really want, in whatever way and with whom. And I’m proud of that,’ he added.
He was also met by a huge standing ovation at the start when he took to the stage in front of a sold-out, largely costumed crowd, acknowledging the raucous reception by quipping: ‘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.’
Tim is also iconic thanks to his performance as Pennywise the clown in the 1990 TV series It, and has also appeared in the likes of Legend and Annie, as well as featuring in Charlie’s Angels, Muppet Treasure Island and Will & Grace.
His stroke wasn’t public knowledge for almost a year, with his rep confirming to The Hollywood Reporter in May 2013 that it had happened the previous summer.
‘Tim had a stroke last July,’ she told the publication at the time. ‘He has been going to physical therapy doing very well and still has his great sense of humour. He thanks everyone for sending good wishes.’
Although he retreated from the spotlight following his stroke, as he already had a distinguished voice acting career, he was able to continue working sporadically.
Having already leant his tones to SpongeBob SquarePants videogames, Barbie animated movies and Mighty Ducks cartoons, as well as leading the cast of Nickelodeon’s The Wild Thornberrys as Nigel Thornberry, Tim also did voice work for Star Wars: The Clone Wars from 2012 until 2014 as well as a couple of smaller gigs.
He even returned to Rocky Horror to voice the character of the Criminologist, who served as the narrator of the two-hour remake special that aired on US TV in 2016, attending the premiere in a suave all-black outfit.
The previous year, in 2015, he had also made a rare first public appearance since his ordeal at the Tony Awards Viewing Party, where he was honoured with the special Actors Fund Lifetime Achievement Award.
Speaking to press at the time, he revealed he was ‘doing well’, and – showed he had lost none of his sense of humour – said: ‘I’ve done a few benefits for the Actors Fund and it’s a marvellous organisation. I hope never to have to use it.’
Tim also addressed the issue of his stroke, admitting his humour had helped him with his recovery.
‘It is not tough to maintain,’ he explained. ‘It is just part of my DNA.’