Tim Curry Reveals How Mother’s Possible Mental Illness Inspired Frank-N-Furter’s Darkest Moments
In 2012, actor Tim Curry suffered a severe stroke that left him with partial facial paralysis and limited mobility. The beloved performer was subsequently forced to step back from the public eye in an effort to focus on his recovery.
With the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the release of his memoir, Vagabond, Curry has returned to the spotlight, reflecting on his work in the landmark cult film, his prolific career as a screen icon, and the personal experiences that shaped him along the way.
In an interview with Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz for CBS Sunday Morning, Curry spoke at length about his life, his career, his medical journey, and the people and events that transformed him. In the chat, Curry talks at length about his parents, particularly his mother, with whom he shared a difficult relationship.
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So grateful I got to do this story on actor Tim Curry, who faces his considerable struggles with minimal bitterness, and with his thriving sense of humor.
(Didn’t make the piece, but he enjoyed making The Hunt for Red October and he adored Sean Connery). pic.twitter.com/7z6ohqXF59— Ben Mankiewicz (@BenMank77) October 20, 2025
Talking about the death of his father, Curry recalled, “He didn’t die from the stroke as people often do. He went to a pretty crappy naval hospital, which wasn’t exactly state of the art, and he got pneumonia twice and that’s what took him out. That’s why he died.”
Curry was a young boy at boarding school when he learned of his father’s death. Not only did he have to cope with the loss of a parent, but his world was turned upside down as his mother took charge of his upbringing. When asked if he missed his dad, Curry responded, “I did because having my life run by my mother was a very different experience. Her expectations were different. She could be pretty chilly.”
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He went on to explain, “I actually think now that she was probably bipolar because she could turn on a dime.”
The impact of her mood swings affected Curry at home because “you [have to] tread very carefully…or don’t.”
Even when Curry found success as an actor, his mother was less than supportive about his career direction. “She didn’t make much of it,” said the actor. “She was scared of it. Well, she thought it would change me. She said to me later that ‘I thought your head was going to grow too big.'”
“She would have preferred me to operate under the radar,” said the actor. “I never did. I didn’t give a **** about the radar.”
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Mankiewicz then asked if any of his rage towards his mother was used in his craft, particularly when it came to creating the character of Frank-N-Furter. “When Frank is committing his particularly most heinous act in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, is some of that directed at your mom?”
In the scene, Frank brutally kills his former lover/delivery boy Eddie (played by Meat Loaf) after the biker rages against his “maker” for replacing him with Rocky. Frank butchers him in the freezer, then nonchalantly removes his gloves as he stumbles out of the bloodbath and casually says, “One from the vaults.”
Curry responded. “It’s not directed at her. It’s just channeling,” said the actor. “I do remember actually coming out of the fridge where I’ve just offed Meatloaf with an axe and I stagger out holding this axe — and I think there’s maybe blood on it — but I found that quite easy. I kind of knew how to do that.”
20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved, Courtesy: Everett Collection
However, later in the interview, Curry attributed to his mother one of his saving graces. After his stroke, he could have easily succumbed to depression, but didn’t, and he credits his mother for that resilience. “From reading the book and from talking to the people who care about you, there hasn’t been a lot — I’m sure there was some — self-pity, but it doesn’t sound like there was a lot.”
“I don’t think so. I hope not because I don’t admire self-pity much. Another legacy from my mother, I guess. It’s one that I’m thankful for. Why are you so important that we have to pity you?,” laughed Curry.
Watch the full interview:
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