Tim Curry Opens Up About His Stroke and Recovery Journey
Tim Curry has shared candid insights about the near-fatal stroke he experienced in July 2012, which left him partially paralyzed.
In his new memoir, “Vagabond,” the 79-year-old actor details the harrowing event, the significant surgery that “shattered” his skull, and the lengthy recovery that ensued.
Curry was actually getting a massage when the stroke hit. At first, he didn’t even realize it had happened. He described feeling “a little sick,” yet he didn’t believe he required medical help. His masseuse, however, felt otherwise and insisted he call for an ambulance.
“My life was likely saved by him ignoring my insistence and trusting his instincts,” Curry recounted.
Emergency responders became alarmed when they checked his vital signs, and he was soon on his way to the hospital. “At that moment, I still had no clue what was going on. It was terrifying,” he reflected.
Once sedated, Curry underwent an emergency craniectomy performed by an “incredible brain surgeon.” He described the situation: “My brain had either swelled or bled enough that they had to remove a piece of my skull and place it into my abdomen to keep me alive. Thankfully the surgery went well (though that’s never guaranteed).”
Curry remembered coming out of the hospital with his brain essentially exposed, forcing him to wear a protective helmet. “Not the most flattering look,” he admitted, “but at least there weren’t many people around to judge me.”
After the surgery, he learned he had suffered a severe stroke and two blood clots were removed from his brain. “What struck me most afterward was the sheer miracle of still being alive,” he noted. “I kept thinking, ‘But I didn’t feel anything…'”
At the time, Curry was 67 and thought he was too young to face death. Yet, he expressed that he isn’t afraid. “I was terrified when I didn’t know what was happening. I had no clue if enormous pain was coming. But if death were to come peacefully, why would I fear it? It might even be comforting,” he pondered.
Reflecting back, he indicated that the passage of time has allowed him to view the experience more calmly. “To be honest, I was just surprised at what had occurred,” he stated.
Curry specified that his stroke had left his right side paralyzed, affecting the left side of his body due to the damage on the right hemisphere of his brain. “The sensation of being paralyzed on my left side was bizarre,” he shared.
Just two days later, he was taken to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where his assistant, Marcia Hurwitz, helped him maintain privacy by admitting him under a pseudonym.
Once awake, he could comprehend speech, though it took effort for the words to stick. The experience was monotonous, leading to frustration. “I needed rest and ended up sleeping a lot,” he wrote.
After several months in the hospital and a stint in rehabilitation, Curry began working on regaining his speech and adapting to his new reality. “For years, I looked awful and couldn’t express myself clearly. My thoughts were stuck in my head; articulating them was immensely frustrating,” he recalled. “It felt like a chasm between my feelings and what I could communicate.”
His stroke became known to the public in May 2013, almost a year later, after the Daily Mail reported it. Hurwitz verified the news, stating he was recovering well.
Curry acknowledged the challenges of keeping the incident under wraps, praising Hurwitz for effectively maintaining his privacy. “It’s remarkable how she kept it hidden for so long, giving me the time to heal,” he reflected.
Amid rumors of his death, he humorously remarked, “Contrary to popular belief, I’m still alive and kicking.”
He admitted, “While I don’t want to complain excessively—though I do—it’s crucial for me to focus on other matters. Right now, I’m in a wheelchair and will likely never walk again.”
He continued, noting that maintaining a sense of humor during uncomfortable times is just who he is. “It’s not an act of bravery; it’s a survival skill I’ve relied on,” he said.
Curry elaborated on the drastic changes in his life since the stroke, particularly how it affected his career. “Now, I can only take on voice work,” he stated.
In 2015, he made his first public appearance since the stroke at a Tony Awards viewing party, later celebrating “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” anniversary.
In a 2016 interview, he spoke about his ongoing recovery and remained positive. “I’m okay and still doing voice work,” he said, adding that dancing was off the table for now.
Curry also participated in a 2020 livestream event to support a political cause, and last month, he spoke at the 50th anniversary of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” sharing candid details about his health challenges.
He acknowledged he “can’t walk yet,” adding that sitting in a wheelchair has its limitations. “I still have serious issues with my left foot,” he noted.
In addition to paralysis, Curry mentioned experiencing increased impatience and sensitivity on his left side. “Adjusting has been tough, and my short-term memory isn’t great either,” he confessed.
Despite these challenges, he found a new relationship with long-term memory that’s surprisingly clear. “I never practiced this before my stroke. I was always a positive thinker, but reflecting on my past has offered me a sort of therapeutic adventure,” he said.
A significant life change has been moving to a one-story home he renovated for accessibility. Curry still finds joy in directing garden projects from his wheelchair and is buoyed by good company. “I’ve experimented with various attitudes about my situation, but I always land back on the ‘bright side of life,'” he said. “Living in darkness is both dull and burdensome for myself and those around me.”
“Looking to the future, it’s quite uncertain, but that’s how I prefer it,” Curry mused. “Despite everything, I yearn to perform again, to love again, and to fully embrace human experiences.”
“Vagabond: A Memoir” is currently available.
