Rocky Horror star Tim Curry's cause of death revealed
The British actor had significant conditions, cited on his death certificate in Los Angeles County.
The cause of death for British actor Tim Curry, renowned for his role in *The Rocky Horror Picture Show*, has been identified as coronary artery disease, his spokesman confirmed to the BBC. Curry passed away at his Los Angeles residence on August 25, at the age of 80.
According to his spokesman, who referenced a death certificate filed in Los Angeles County, Curry's history of stroke and kidney cancer were also significant contributing factors to his death, in addition to the heart condition.
Tributes poured in from figures across stage and screen for the actor, who gained widespread fame as the lingerie-clad Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the iconic 1975 cult film *The Rocky Horror Show*.
Following a near-fatal stroke in 2012, Curry utilized a wheelchair and exclusively transitioned his career focus to voice acting. He expressed gratitude that the stroke resulted in paralysis rather than the loss of his speech. He continued to attend film conventions and last year released his memoir, *Vagabond*, where he discussed the medical incident and his extended recovery. "If there was anything impressed upon me in the aftermath, it was just how remarkable it was that I was still alive," Curry stated.
Susan Sarandon led tributes to her *Rocky Horror Picture Show* co-star, while fellow *Rocky Horror* actor Luke Evans remarked, "There will only be one Tim Curry." Michael McKean, who co-starred with Curry in the 1985 comedy *Clue*, noted last week that the actor had been in a "grim physical state." Sarandon, describing Curry as "funny, sexy, original," wrote, "Even wheelchair bound, he continued to be so sweet and generous with his fans."
Born in Warrington, a town in north-western England, in 1946, Curry secured his initial acting role after university in the 1968 London production of the rock musical *Hair*. His castmate Richard O'Brien invited him to audition for his new musical, *The Rocky Horror Show*, where Curry took on the iconic 1973 role and delivered the memorable line, "don't dream it, be it."
His diverse on-screen credits include portraying the malevolent clown Pennywise in the 1990 TV adaptation of Stephen King's *It*, King Arthur in the stage production of *Spamalot*, Rooster in the 1982 musical film *Annie*, and roles in *Home Alone 2*, *The Hunt For Red October*, and *Scary Movie 2*.