Health Struggles and Public Life

About a year before his death, Curry had stepped away from public life and most on-screen acting, focusing instead on voiceover roles. He had suffered a stroke in 2012 that left him wheelchair-bound and limited his ability to walk. ‘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,’ Curry said during an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ according to People magazine.

Curry described the moment of his stroke: ‘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,’ according to The Hollywood Reporter. He also shared that he had to relearn how to speak after the stroke: ‘I had to learn how to speak again. That was very weird. I hated not being able to speak.’

Career and Legacy

Curry rose to international fame in 1975 with his portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ a role that defined his career. The film, based on Richard O’Brien’s original musical, became a cult classic. Curry’s distinctive voice and charismatic performance earned him lasting recognition in pop culture. In addition to his film work, he also voiced characters in animated projects such as ‘Scooby-Doo’ and ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars.’

Curry’s other notable roles included the clown Pennywise in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘It,’ Cardinal Richelieu in ‘The Three Musketeers,’ and Mr. Magoo in ‘The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Attack of the Colossus.’ Despite his health struggles, he continued to work in voice acting for over a decade after his stroke in 2012.

Honor and Tributes

The Broadway production of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ paid tribute to Curry on stage, with three actors who have played the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter—Luke Evans, Paul Soileau, and Jake Shears—performing the musical’s ballad ‘I’m Going Home.’ The production displayed Curry’s photo in Studio 54’s lobby as a tribute to the actor, who had been closely associated with the character for over 50 years.

Evans, who played the role of Frank-N-Furter in the Broadway revival, expressed his admiration for Curry, calling the opportunity to follow in his footsteps one of the highest honors of his career. The tribute was shared on the show’s official Instagram account, allowing fans to remember Curry’s contributions to theater and film.