Documents Reveal Tim Curry’s Cause of Death After Career Spanning ‘Rocky Horror’ and ‘It’
Documents obtained by People Magazine have revealed the cause of death for Tim Curry, the celebrated character actor known for some of film and television’s most memorable roles.
According to records from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Curry died from coronary artery disease. The document also listed a history of stroke and kidney cancer as significant conditions that contributed to his death.
The records reportedly stated that no operations were performed for Curry’s coronary artery disease, kidney cancer, or history of stroke.
Curry died at his home in Los Angeles on August 25. He was 80 years old. TMZ reported that police responded to a call at the residence at about 11:23 PM. Authorities did not suspect foul play.
The actor’s health had already changed dramatically after he suffered a major stroke in 2012 while receiving a massage at home. Curry reportedly felt fine at the time, but his therapist recognized troubling signs and called 911 despite Curry’s wishes.
That decision helped save Curry’s life. However, the stroke left him confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He later stepped back from much of his on-screen acting work and focused more heavily on voiceover projects.
Curry first became widely known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Before that breakthrough, he had built his career in London theater and appeared in the original West End cast of the musical Hair in 1968.
He reached another generation of viewers with his performance as Pennywise the clown in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King’s It. He also played Mr. Hector in Home Alone 2, which featured a famous cameo by President Trump.
Curry’s other notable film credits included Annie, FernGully, The Hunt for Red October, Muppet Treasure Island, Clue, and Addams Family Reunion.
His work also earned major recognition. Curry received a Daytime Emmy Award for his performance in 1991’s Peter Pan and the Pirates. In 2015, the Actors’ Fund of America presented him with an Artistic Achievement Award.
Curry never married and had no children. He kept his personal life private while leaving behind a career that stretched from the London stage to some of the most distinctive roles in popular entertainment.