Tim Curry Gives Rare Health Update After 2012 Stroke: ‘I Still Can’t Walk’

Tim Curry said he “still can’t walk” after suffering a stroke in 2012 — but joked that’s why he “won’t be dancing very soon.”

The actor, 79, gave the rare update on his health while appearing with his costars from the 1975 cult favorite The Rocky Horror Picture Show, at a special screening in honor of the horror-musical’s 50th anniversary at L.A.’s Academy Museum, per The Hollywood Reporter.

“I still can’t walk, which is why I’m in this silly chair, and that’s very limiting. So I won’t be singing and I won’t be dancing very soon. I still have real problems with my left leg,” said Curry, who was given a standing ovation when he entered the screening.

Curry shared more details about when the stroke happened, explaining: “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 has kept working despite the near-fatal stroke. He’s penned a memoir, Vagabond — available Oct. 7 and now available for preorder — which looks back on his life and iconic roles. Along with Rocky Horror, Curry famously played Pennywise in the 1990 Stephen King miniseries IT, and starred in Clue and Annie. Since his stroke, he’s pivoted to voice acting, playing Emperor Palpatine in the animated Star Wars series Clone Wars, and Terrence the Toucan in the animated movie Ribbit.

Speaking on the lasting impact of Rocky Horror, Curry, who played mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter, joked, “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.”

But, jokes aside, Curry shared that he cherishes the film’s message and lasting impact — especially with its LGBTQ audience. He explained it “means a lot because 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.”