The world knew Tim Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012, but the true gravity of his fight for survival has remained a private ordeal until now. In his newly released memoir, the legendary actor pulls back the curtain on a medical crisis that was far more severe than the public understood. Curry shares shocking details of the emergency surgery that saved his life, a procedure so drastic he describes it as having his skull “smashed in” to relieve the pressure on his swelling brain.
The crisis began during a routine massage. Curry recalls feeling “a little out of sorts,” a vague sensation that his massage therapist recognized as something much more serious. Ignoring Curry’s own assessment, the therapist insisted on calling for an ambulance. Curry now credits this decisive action with saving his life, acknowledging that the therapist went with his instinct and made a call that prevented a tragic outcome.
At the hospital, the situation was dire. Curry was rushed into emergency surgery for a craniectomy. He reveals the astonishing medical procedure required to keep him alive: a section of his skull was removed and temporarily implanted into his abdomen. This was done to allow his inflamed and bleeding brain the space it needed to swell without causing fatal damage. The actor expresses immense gratitude for the “incredible” brain surgeon who performed the high-risk operation, the success of which was never guaranteed.
The aftermath of the surgery was a challenging new reality. When he emerged from the hospital, Curry had to wear a protective helmet because his brain was literally exposed to the elements. With his characteristic dark humor, he notes that it wasn’t his best look, but he was grateful to be alive. He describes the profound process of coming to terms with the fact that his skull had been deliberately broken to save him, a traumatic event that required a great deal of rest and mental processing to overcome.
Now 79 years old and reflecting with a sense of calm distance, Curry states that the overriding feeling in the aftermath was one of pure astonishment that he was still alive. He had two blood clots removed from his brain and faced a long road of physical and speech therapy. His memoir stands as a testament to his resilience and a heartfelt thank you to the medical team and the quick-thinking therapist who gave him a second chance at life over a dozen years ago.
