Tim Curry Shares Details of His Health Struggles in New Memoir

Tim Curry opened up about the near-fatal stroke he experienced in July 2012, which left him partially paralyzed, in his new memoir titled *Vagabond*. Now 79, Curry describes in his book the stroke, a significant surgery that “shattered” his skull, and the lengthy recovery process that ensued.

At the time of the stroke, he was getting a massage and didn’t immediately recognize what was happening. He recalled feeling “a little sick,” but didn’t think it was serious. However, the masseuse’s insistence on calling 911 proved crucial. “Probably the fact that he ignored me and called an ambulance on instinct saved my life,” Curry wrote.

When paramedics arrived, they noticed an issue with his vital signs, leading to his swift transportation to a hospital. “By that time I still didn’t know what was going on or what else was going to happen. It was very scary,” he noted. After being sedated, he underwent an emergency craniectomy performed by a skilled brain surgeon. Curry learned that his brain was so inflamed and filled with blood that parts of his skull had to be removed and relocated to his abdomen for survival. “Thankfully the surgery was successful (though it is never guaranteed),” he reflected.

Upon leaving the hospital, Curry recounted wearing a makeshift helmet because his brain was exposed, admitting, “It wasn’t really my best look, but at least there weren’t a lot of people looking at me or judging me.” He later found out he had suffered a severe stroke and had two blood clots removed from his brain. The aftermath prompted him to marvel at his survival, even as he remembered feeling indifferent. “All I really remember is, ‘But I didn’t feel anything…’

At 67, Curry thought himself too young to confront death, though he expressed he wasn’t afraid of it. “I was so scared when I didn’t know what was happening to me, because I didn’t know if I was going to experience severe pain,” he reflected. “But if death comes to me in peace and I fade gently from light into dark oblivion, why should I fear it?”

He noted he could only articulate this perspective now, over a decade later, recognizing the distance from that traumatic experience. “To be honest, I was just surprised that it was lying there,” he added.

Curry shared that he was told the stroke had paralyzed his right side, a result of damage in the hemisphere controlling movement on the opposite side. He admitted he wasn’t aware of when the paralysis set in. “At first it just felt so weird to be paralyzed on the left side of my body,” he remembered.

Just two days later, he arrived at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. His long-time assistant Marcia Hurwitz played a vital role in maintaining his privacy, even having him admitted under a pseudonym. “After I regained consciousness, I was able to understand the words, but they didn’t register or stick without effort. For a long time, life was very boring, monotonous, and uncertain,” he wrote.

Curry spent months in the hospital before moving to a rehabilitation center, where he began the intensive process of recovering his speech and using his hands. “I was living in a fog,” he recounted. “I looked horrible and couldn’t speak clearly for years… It was truly miserable not being able to string sentences together.” He elaborated on the struggle between his thoughts and their verbal articulation, feeling a significant disconnect.

His stroke and the following months of recovery were kept largely private until May 2013, almost a year later, when the news broke. Hurwitz confirmed the reports saying he was recovering well. “I was rather unrecognized at the time, and it’s still really amazing that she was able to keep my condition hidden for a year,” Curry wrote.

Despite the hardships, he displays a sense of humor about his situation. “I try not to complain too much. (I like to complain enough.) But I have the ingredients,” he noted. Currently, he is wheelchair-bound and acknowledges his limitations but also maintains a focus on positivity. “The different ways people deal with pain are very interesting,” he mused, insisting that humor is merely a coping mechanism for him.

Reflecting on how his life has transformed, Curry emphasized that he now primarily engages in voice work after having a diverse acting career. His first public appearance post-stroke was in 2015 at an awards viewing party where he used a wheelchair. Since then, he has occasionally shared updates about his health.

Curry remains determined to experience life’s richness again. He participated in a livestream event for the *Rocky Horror Picture Show* and attended a recent anniversary celebration for the film. At a screening, he reminded the audience of his ongoing obstacles, saying, “I can’t walk yet. So I’m sitting in this stupid chair and it’s very limiting.” He continues to acknowledge the changes in his patience and memory, discussing how those have affected his life.

Ultimately, Curry describes the therapeutic effects of revisiting old memories while also adjusting to new realities. He manages a bright outlook on life. “I’ve dabbled in all sorts of different attitudes about my destiny in life, but I always land on the ‘bright side of life,'” he stated, underscoring a desire to embrace the future, no matter how uncertain it may be.

His memoir, *Vagabond: A Memoir*, delves deeper into these experiences and reflections.