Legendary British actor Tim Curry made a rare public appearance on Thursday, spotted in Los Angeles with his caregiver. The 79-year-old, known for his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was seen leaving Gelson’s supermarket in a wheelchair, wearing a long-sleeved red shirt.
Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012 at the age of 66, which left him partially paralyzed and affected his speech. Since then, the actor has largely stepped back from public life, only occasionally appearing at events.
Before his health setback, Curry enjoyed a celebrated and eclectic career. He first rose to prominence in 1975 with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where he originated the role of the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter. He had first played the role in the original 1973 London stage production, later reprising it on Broadway and in the cult-favorite film adaptation.
Reflecting on the role that catapulted him to stardom, Curry once told Los Angeles Magazine that he views the film’s lasting popularity “with a sort of bemused tolerance,” saying, “It’s neither a blessing nor a curse. I was lucky to get it.” For years, he rarely spoke about the film, concerned about the risk of being typecast.
He recalled his Broadway debut in Rocky Horror as thrilling, though dampened by unkind reviews. “I had to go on the Today Show the next day, and they read the reviews—which were appalling,” he said. “That really brought me down. It was very cruel.” Critics described his performance as “a mixture of Joan Crawford and Burt Lancaster” and “Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Marc Bolan all rolled into one.”
Curry later appeared in numerous film and television roles, including his memorable turn as Mr. Hector, the uptight concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). Though a supporting role, the character became one of the film’s standout figures.
In 2015, Curry was honored with The Actors Fund Lifetime Achievement Award during the Tony Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles—a tribute to his enduring impact on stage and screen.
