Tim Curry’s final public appearances offered a glimpse of a legendary performer whose health had declined significantly in the years following a near-fatal stroke.

The actor, who died Tuesday at the age of 80, was photographed during a rare outing in Los Angeles in April. Frail and using a wheelchair, Curry visited the Friar Tuck Shoppe in Sherman Oaks, a store known for British food and treats.

A caregiver accompanied him as he browsed the shop, which is located next to the popular Robin Hood British Pub. Curry carried a colorful floral bag from London’s flagship Harrods department store to hold his purchases, a small reminder of the British roots he maintained after building his career in the United States.

Curry moved to Los Angeles in 1988, but he never lost his connection to Britain.

From London’s West End to international stardom

Curry began his professional career on the London stage. At 22, he joined the cast of the musical Hair in 1968 and remained with the production for two years, through 1969.

His breakthrough came in 1975 when he played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The role transformed Curry into an international star and made him an enduring cultural icon, particularly within the LGBTQ community.

His career continued across theatre, film and television, and he remained closely associated with the stage even after achieving Hollywood fame.

On Broadway, Curry received three Tony Award nominations. His first came in 1981 for his performance as Mozart in Amadeus. He later earned nominations for My Favorite Year in 1993 and Eric Idle’s Spamalot in 2005.

His film credits included The Hunt for Red October in 1990, The Three Musketeers in 1993, Muppet Treasure Island in 1996, the 2000 big-screen reboot of Charlie’s Angels, and Scary Movie 2 in 2001.

A stroke changed the course of his later life

Curry’s health was profoundly affected by a major stroke in 2012, which left him wheelchair-bound and required extensive rehabilitation.

In October 2025, Curry spoke candidly about the experience during an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning. He recalled that the stroke occurred while he was receiving a massage.

“It was so strange,” Curry said. The man giving him the massage became concerned and suggested calling a doctor, even though Curry himself felt fine and had noticed no symptoms.

The man called 911, and an ambulance arrived. Curry was carried from his home on a stretcher and taken to hospital, where he was given morphine despite not being in pain.

“I was extremely nervous because I didn’t know what was going on,” he recalled. “They didn’t know I’d had a stroke and I didn’t know either.”

When doctors told him what had happened, Curry said his thoughts immediately turned to his father, James Curry.

James had suffered a stroke in 1958 at the age of 49 and died several weeks later from complications of pneumonia. Curry was about 12 years old at the time.

“I knew that a lot of people didn’t survive a stroke, and that he was an exception, and so I was scared,” Curry said.

He underwent brain surgery after the stroke and spent about a month in hospital undergoing rehabilitation. One of the most difficult parts of his recovery was relearning how to speak.

“I had to learn how to speak again, that was very weird,” he said. “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.”

Friends and co-stars remember Curry

Following news of his death, tributes came from colleagues and friends who had worked with Curry throughout his career.

Michael McKean, Curry’s co-star in Clue, reflected on their final conversation and the condition Curry had been living with.

“My last conversation with Tim Curry was about life and love and laughter,” McKean shared.

“The grim physical state he found himself in has now ended, a blessing,” he added. “Our blessing was that we had Tim Curry in our lives. RIP, my friend.”

Lesley Ann Warren, another of Curry’s Clue co-stars, also paid tribute to the actor, describing him as a brilliant and hilarious performer and a gifted artist.

“My dear companion in crime, the brilliant, hilarious, hysterically funny, magician of artistry has left us,” she wrote.

“What an unbelievable joy to have shared a sound stage with him and to engage with such a master talent. I adored him. Bless his wild and inspired soul. Love you Tim.”

Curry’s death came after a career that stretched from London’s West End to Broadway and Hollywood. From Dr. Frank-N-Furter to his work in Clue and a long list of film, television and stage roles, he established a distinctive presence that endured for decades.

No foul play is suspected in his death.