Tim Curry reflected on death in one of his final interviews before his passing

Tim Curry offered a remarkably candid reflection on mortality in one of his final major interviews, speaking openly about death and the way he had come to view it.

The beloved actor, known for unforgettable performances in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, It and Annie, died at the age of 80 on Tuesday, August 25. His representative confirmed his death to PEOPLE on Wednesday, August 26.

Months before his passing, Curry had discussed his thoughts on mortality during a 2025 appearance on CBS Mornings, giving viewers a glimpse into the perspective he had developed after years of health challenges.

Tim Curry said he was not afraid of death

During the interview with Ben Mankiewicz, Curry was asked whether he ever thought about the end of his life and whether death frightened him.

His response was remarkably calm.

Curry explained that he did not fear death, although he acknowledged that, like most people, he tried to avoid it. He said he suspected he would ultimately welcome death when the time came.

When asked to elaborate, Curry responded with humor, suggesting that leaving life could eventually feel comforting. He also stressed that he was not rushing toward death, but wanted to feel that he had earned the privilege of no longer being here.

Later in the conversation, when asked whether death might bring a sense of relief, Curry simply said he believed he would embrace it.

He shared similar thoughts in his memoir

Curry had already written about his attitude toward mortality in his 2025 memoir, Vagabond, which was published in October.

In the book, he explained that he was not frightened by death and said he did not believe an afterlife necessarily awaited him.

Instead, he contemplated the possibility of death as a peaceful transition into oblivion. For Curry, that idea was not necessarily frightening and could even be comforting.

Those reflections now carry additional weight following his death at 80.

His 2012 stroke changed his life

Curry’s discussion of death was also closely connected to his experience with a devastating stroke in 2012.

The actor recalled that the stroke left him paralyzed and frightened him deeply. His father had suffered a stroke before his death in 1958, and Curry immediately thought of him when the incident happened.

He underwent invasive brain surgery and subsequently faced an extensive rehabilitation process. The stroke initially left the left side of his body paralyzed, and he also had to relearn how to speak.

For an actor whose career had been built around performance and communication, losing the ability to speak was particularly difficult.

Curry recalled how strange the experience was, explaining that he loved words and communicating with other people.

Curry refused to dwell on self-pity

Despite the enormous challenges he faced after the stroke, Curry said he did not admire self-pity.

He attributed that attitude partly to his mother and described it as something for which he was grateful.

His career continued after the stroke, although he increasingly focused on voiceover work. He still made notable appearances, including in The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again.

In October 2025, Curry also appeared at a celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show during a screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

A final reflection from a celebrated career

Curry began acting in the late 1960s and went on to become one of the most recognizable performers of his generation.

From the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show to his role as Pennywise in It, his performances left an enduring mark across film, television and theatre.

His 2025 interview revealed a quieter side of the actor: thoughtful, humorous and remarkably accepting of a subject many people find difficult to discuss.

With Curry’s death now confirmed, his words about mortality have taken on a poignant new meaning. Rather than describing death solely as something to fear, he spoke of the possibility of meeting it peacefully — a perspective he had openly shared before the end of his remarkable life.