HEALTHTim Curry Appeared Frail in Wheelchair During Final L.A. Outing Before Death at 80
Tim Curry appeared frail in a wheelchair during one of his final outings.
Aug. 27 2026, Published 8:41 a.m. ET
Just months before his death, Tim Curry offered a heartbreaking glimpse of the quiet life.
In April, the beloved Rocky Horror Picture Show star was spotted during a rare outing in Los Angeles, visiting a British food shop in Sherman Oaks with the help of a caregiver. Curry was in a wheelchair and appeared frail, carrying a colorful floral Harrods bag from London for his purchases.
Tim Curry’s Costars Paid Heartfelt Tribute to the Beloved Actor After His Death at 80
Tim Curry leaned on a caregiver during a quiet shopping trip.
The veteran actor had suffered a devastating stroke in 2012 that left him partially paralyzed and permanently affected his mobility. Yet he continued to work when he could, especially in voice acting, and remained fiercely connected to the fans who had loved him for generations.
His Clue costar Michael McKean offered an especially touching reflection after his death.
“My last conversation with Tim Curry was about life and love and laughter,” McKean shared on X.
“The grim physical state he found himself in has now ended, a blessing. Our blessing was that we had Tim Curry in our lives. RIP, my friend," he added.
Lesley Ann Warren, another costar, remembered Curry with equal affection.
“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," she wrote on Instagram.
Tim Curry Faced 14 Painful Years of Paralysis After His Devastating Stroke
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Tim Curry’s Clue costars shared emotional tributes.
The legendary performer himself had spoken openly about the stroke in the months before his death.
During a 2025 Rocky Horror anniversary event, he told fans, “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," he added.
Tim Curry’s stroke happened during a massage at his Los Angeles home.
The stroke had happened while Curry was receiving a massage at his Los Angeles home.
“I felt fine, I had no symptoms that I was aware of, but clearly he had noticed some,” Curry recalled.
“I probably owe my life to the fact that he ignored me, went with his instinct, and called an ambulance,” he later wrote in his memoir, Vagabond.
Curry had to relearn how to speak and spent weeks in the hospital and rehabilitation.
“I hated not being able to speak because I speak a lot,” he admitted, adding, “I have to be told to shut up a lot. I love words, I love to communicate.”
The beloved star died peacefully at his Los Angeles home on August 25, 2026, aged 80. No official cause of death had been disclosed.
