Celebrity4 min(s) read
Tim Curry shared one final message with fans before his death and it now takes on a heartbreaking new meaning
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Tim Curry shared one final message with his fans before his death, and it has now taken on a heartbreaking new meaning.
As widely reported, the iconic actor, best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, died aged 80 at his Los Angeles home this week.
His manager confirmed his death, while law enforcement sources said no foul play is suspected.
In the months before his death, the late star reflected on his extraordinary career, the stroke that changed his life, and the legacy he hoped to leave behind.
Now, one answer from his final months has become particularly poignant.
'He took it on the chin'
In October 2025, Curry gave The Guardian a personal interview surrounding the publication of his memoir, Vagabond.
He looked back on more than five decades in entertainment and reflected on the opportunities his career had given him, as well as the severe stroke he suffered in 2012.
Despite the lasting impact on his health, he continued writing, working, and attending fan conventions.
"I’ve had the opportunities," Curry told the outlet when reminiscing on his incredible career, "and I’m still showing up."
Near the end of the interview, he was asked what message he wanted people to take from his life story.
"He took it on the chin," he responded.
The stroke that changed everything
The Home Alone 2 actor was 66 when he suffered a stroke while receiving a massage at his Los Angeles home.
"It was so strange," he told CBS Sunday Morning. "I was having a massage, and the guy who was giving me a massage said, 'I’m worried about you, I think we should call a doctor.'"
Curry said he felt fine and had not noticed any symptoms, but an ambulance was called. After discovering he had suffered a stroke, he immediately thought about his father, James, who had also experienced one.
"I knew that a lot of people didn’t survive a stroke, and that he was an exception, and so I was scared," he said.
The late star, who also played Pennywise in It, underwent brain surgery, spent "about a month" in hospital, and was left unable to walk. He also had to relearn how to speak.
"I hated not being able to speak because I speak a lot. I have to be told to shut up a lot. I love words, I love to communicate," he said.
During a 2025 interview with CBS Sunday Morning, he was asked whether he had ever felt sorry for himself following the stroke.
"I don’t think so," Curry replied, before asking: "Why are you so important that we have to pity you?"
He was just as candid when discussing his own mortality. "I don’t fear death. I suspect that in the end, I will welcome it," he said.
Asked to explain, Curry suggested it could be "very comforting to go bye-bye," adding that he wanted to "earn it".
Emergency crews were called to Curry's home
Dispatch audio has since revealed details of the emergency response at Curry's home.
The incident was reportedly described as an "ambulance death investigation," while the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that "a death investigation report was completed".
Fire officials said emergency crews responded to a medical call at around 11:23PM at an address believed to be Curry's, where a male patient was pronounced dead at the scene.
A cause of death has not yet been determined.
Our thoughts continue to be with Curry's loved ones at this time.