The iconic role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show brought actor Tim Curry a worldwide fame. Over the years, this renowned actor and singer treated his audience with remarkable films and songs, but in 2012, his life changed after he suffered a stroke.
Born in Grappenhall, England, on April 19, 1946, Curry has always showed great love for music. Everyone who knew him well was certain he would achieve great things as a musician, and they were right, but what he conquered the world with has been his acting talent.
Curry attended the Kingswood School boarding school in Bath, and was destined for a life in show business. Later on, he attended Birmingham University. He graduated in 1968 with a combined degree in drama and theatre studies.
While studying in Birmingham, Curry shared a house with actor, screenwriter, and director Patrick Barlow. At the time, he was a major solo star.
“I remember being amazed by his extraordinary singing voice – it was just completely perfect, just something he was born with – it came ready-made,” Barlow told The Guardian.
“We would go to university parties and end up having a drink and whatever, and he would break out into song, this marvellous bluesy voice.”
Following his graduation, Curry and a couple of his friends moved to London to try their luck as performers. Once there, Curry auditioned for the production of the cult classic Hair. He did get a part but he nearly missed on performing because he needed to have some previous professional experience and an Equity card, which meant he needed to be a member of the Actors’ Equity Association. When asked if he had these two things, he lied about it and said yes. When the producers learned he tried to trick them, they could easily give him the axe, but they were so captivated by his presence and talent that they decided to sponsor him with union membership instead.
Everyone believed he would pursue a career in music and he was offered contracts, but he decided he wanted to do something else.
“I was offered things, recording contracts, offered to join groups. But as I thought about it, I got rather snippy. No, no, no, I decided, I want to be an actor,” he told Los Angeles Magazine.
“I treated Hair like a drama school. You were always able to rewrite your part. You built up your physical presence. And because everyone was competing for attention, you learned quite quickly to make your presence felt.”
