Tim Curry: As Wry And Wonderful As Ever

Tim Curry might be a long way from his Rocky Horror Picture Show days, but he is still doing well after suffering a stroke some three years ago.

Curry has kept a very low profile since he had the stroke, which resulted in speech and physical impairments. However, he resurfaced at the 2015 Tony Awards last week to accept the Actors Fund Lifetime Achievement Award. Certainly, Curry is no stranger to the Broadway set, as he originated the role of Dr. Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show decades ago. He became better known to a whole new generation of horror lovers as Pennywise the Clown in Stephen King’s It, and is, in general, well known for his smarmy characters that he plays.

Curry has had a wide range of work in his years in show business. While he definitely has spent a good chunk of his career under the lights of various stages, he is very well known for his work in cinema as well. Fans of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show have a hard time separating the sartorial, sarcastic actor from the lingerie-clad Dr. Frank N. Furter, whose penchant for heavy makeup was a hallmark of the early 1970s. Board game lovers might recall him as the loveable butler from the movie version of the game Clue, which brought together a number of famous faces as they tried to solve a murder. Horror buffs would certainly recall him from one of his rare turns on television as Pennywise the Clown in Stephen King’s It, when his portrayal of the clown chilled a whole new legion of fans to the bone – and succeeded in making a whole new generation fearful of clowns.

But it is his stage work for which he was honored last week by The Actors Fund, a philanthropic organization dedicating itself to helping professionals in arts and entertainment. Curry admitted at his appearance to receive the award that he thought the organization was “marvelous” but that he hoped he would never have to make use of its services. The Actors Fund comes into play when these arts and entertainment professionals are in crisis, and allows them an opportunity to avail themselves of its services until such a time as the crisis has passed. Curry was saluted for his work in such productions as Spamalot, My Favorite Year, and has generally been a favorite to portray somewhat offbeat, edgy characters. Comedy Central UK saluted the actor in a tweet which harkened back to his days in heavy makeup in Legend.

Tim Curry. British icon. Seasoned thespian. Total badass. Here he is at his best: http://t.co/Jnlal8X71E pic.twitter.com/hirAymJeoN

— Comedy Central UK (@ComedyCentralUK) June 9, 2015

Curry also became popular to a younger generation of fans, thanks to another musical-turned-movie, Annie, where he played Ms. Hannigan’s (played by the always wonderful Carol Burnett) scheming and conniving brother. Fans of the Home Alone series loved him as the concierge determined to catch Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin in Home Alone 2.

However, it is in his stage work where Curry got his start, and while he may not currently be as mobile as he once was due to the wheelchair, his spirits continue to run high. He noted that his continued good humor through what many might consider to be something of a trial is simply “part of (his) DNA.”

At 69, Curry says he is “doing well” following the stroke, and he also revealed that he has not lost his trademark wry humor, saying that while he feels the Actors Fund is a tremendous organization, he hoped to never access their services. As for his award, Curry notes that he continues to be excited that he would be nominated for the prestigious award, and that he was grateful for the honor. While he may have been known for his sarcastic characters, he has indeed become very much loved throughout his stage and cinematic career.

(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)