Tim Curry's cause of death has been officially confirmed, one week after the Rocky Horror Picture Show star passed away at the age of 80.
The official cause
According to People, public health documents confirmed Curry's death was caused by coronary artery disease. The same documents also listed his earlier stroke and kidney cancer as significant contributing conditions, though neither was determined to be the primary underlying cause.
His health in recent years
Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012, which left him wheelchair-bound for the remainder of his life. Speaking about his condition in September 2025, he described ongoing mobility issues, particularly with his left leg, and said the stroke had ended his singing and dancing career. He also recalled the moment the stroke occurred, saying he hadn't personally noticed anything was wrong during a massage, until the person giving it expressed concern and called an ambulance, something Curry initially dismissed as unnecessary.
Tributes since his passing
Curry died peacefully at home on 25 August. His representatives confirmed his death in a statement describing his ability to move fluidly between comedy, horror, drama, and music across five decades, and noting that despite his stroke, he continued working as an artist and, more recently, as a writer. The statement highlighted his curious mind and generous nature as his greatest legacy to those who knew him.
Curry is remembered for a wide range of roles, including Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pennywise in Stephen King's IT. He never married and had no children, though the volume of tributes since his death reflects the impact of his career and the life he lived.
