Tim Curry’s memoir, ‘Vagabond,’ tells (almost) all

Known to most movie fans as Frank-N-Furter, the iconic “sweet transvestite” of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and the previous stage version, actor Tim Curry shares behind the scenes moments from his numerous acclaimed films (and a few flops), several stage productions, TV series, and even voiceover work, in “Vagabond: A Memoir,” (Grand Central Publishing).
Starting with his family life, he says how singing in a church choir became his early performing inspiration. His father died when he was 11. Curry, born in Cheshire, England, talks about his mother and how she became overwhelmed and embittered as a single parent, raising himself and his sister Judy.

His inclination towards theater started early on when he moved to London. His first major stage play was in the 1968 London production of “Hair.” Little did he know one of the other cast members, Richard O’Brien, would soon give him worldwide fame.

A toast…to ‘Rocky’
It was the 1973 London stage production of O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” that brought Curry his first success. Premiered in a tiny upstairs theater, it soon moved to larger venues after rave reviews, with visiting celebrities bestowing it ‘cool’ status. A production in Los Angeles followed to great acclaim, but the New York Broadway production was pretty much dismissed by critics.

The 1975 film adaptation, while initially a flop, became a cult favorite with midnight screenings, starting in New York City and spreading around the country and eventually other countries. While Curry states that he understands the allure of Frank-N-Furter as a tempting polyamorous figure, he was far from that character in real life.

His later successes included creating the 1980 role of Mozart in Peter Shaffer’s “Amadeus” with Ian McKellen playing his rival, Antonio Salieri.

In another film role, he played Darkness, the huge-horned devilish creature in Ridley Scott’s “Legend” (1985). And while he doesn’t have superb comments about his then-young costar Tom Cruise, he talks more about the difficulties of the hours-long make-up sessions, and simmering in a full body cast that nearly drove him to a panic attack.

Also in 1985, in the film “Clue,” very loosely based on the board game, he played an officious butler Wadsworth, who recreates multiple potential murder possibilities in the finale.

His personal favorites include performing with Carol Burnett in the film adaptation of “Annie” (1982) and “Muppet Treasure Island” (1996). Recalling his role as the pesky hotel concierge in “Home Alone 2” (1992), a certain current felonious president is mentioned, who bragged to Curry in between shots of his inane cameo that his-then mistress was “a great actress” and should be included in the film.

One of his other iconic roles is that of Pennywise, the sewer-dwelling clown monster in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s “It.” He mentions how years later at fan conventions people would come up and tell him that his performance terrorized them as children.

Just a stage
Theater remained his true love, including working with and befriending playwright Tom Stoppard in a production of “Travesties.” Curry also performed in multiple roles for the Royal National Theatre, including “Three Penny Opera” (he played Mack the Knife). At a 1980s performance of “Love for Love,” Prince Charles and Princess Diana were in attendance. At a post-show meeting, she asked Curry if he was in “The Rocky Horror Show.” He said, “Yes ma’am, but I don’t suppose you saw it.” With a grin, Diana replied, “Of course I saw it. It quite completed my education!”

Another role he created was that of King Arthur in Eric Idle’s 2004 Monty Python-inspired musical “Spamalot.” He discusses the difficulties of performing multiple times a week and how it would sometimes be exhausting. But ever the professional, he learned his lessons and how to continue in the performing arts. Curry won a Tony for his role, along with four other awards.

Curry also shares his short career as a recording artist, with five albums released. While devoted fans still admire some of his songs, like the indie hit “I Do The Rock,” he writes how without a character to build on, his concert performances left something lacking.

The appendix lists his impressive résumé of work from films, television and voiceovers.
When he moved to Los Angeles permanently (while occasionally buying, renovating, then selling a few homes), he connected with the voiceover community and not only did dozens of cartoons of merit (including five seasons of “The Wild Thornberrys” and a film version), but also video game voiceovers.

What’s particularly admirable is that Curry, now 79, penned his memoir with some assistance after his 2012 stroke, which almost left him completely paralyzed. Through years of physical therapy, he continued to do voice work, and has even appeared at a few “Rocky Horror” celebrations. He performed a different role of the Narrator/Criminologist in ABC’s odd 2016 “Rocky Horror” remake, “Let’s Do the Time Warp Again.”

Since this is the 50th anniversary of the film’s release, he’s appeared at a few celebratory events, including a January 2025 tribute in San Francisco hosted by Peaches Christ.

Curry writes in Chapter 13 that wickedness came naturally to him, or at least characters who portrayed it, as villains are often better written than heroes.

But if you’re expecting gossip about his personal life, you’ll be disappointed. Curry states in the book’s introduction that “Specifics about my affairs of the heart or the bedroom are respectfully none of your fucking business.”

At only one point does he obtusely mention being “in love with someone.” He does admit to a little partying phase in the early 1980s where cocaine was a regular habit among some of his friends. But he offers a cautionary tale about being a bit high, and at another time, being a bit drunk before a performance, something he never did again. Despite some omissions, “Vagabond” is fascinating reading for any Tim Curry fan.

“Vagabond: A Memoir,” by Tim Curry, Grand Central Publishing
$32 hardcover, $16.99 Kindle, $28 audiobook (narrated by the author)
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com