Book Review

Title: Vagabond: A Memoir
Author:  Tim Curry
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Released: October 14, 2025
Pages: 304
ISBN 13: 978-0306835841
Stars: 5.0

“Vagabonds rove. We travel about and pick up work wherever we go. We wander, drift, stagger, wink. Reluctant to be pinned down, we’re enticed by risk, restless if we linger, fueled by curiosity and a sense of wonder.”

A Lifelong Love Affair with Tim Curry

I bought Vagabond: A Memoir by Tim Curry in hardcover for a Christmas gift to myself. It’s hard for me to write an objective book review. Frankly, I’ve been a Tim Curry fan since I was fifteen. That said, I can tell you exactly why I love this book.

I discovered Tim Curry, as many others did, when The Rocky Horror Picture Show became a cult classic after its release. Drama was one of my favourite classes in high school. One of my fondest memories is performing “Over at the Frankenstein Place” from the soundtrack with my dear friend Don. He sang Riff Raff’s part. I dressed up as Frank’N’Furter for a Halloween dance. In fact, my artist friend Mark included me in his Rocky Horror cartoon strip, which I still have. In addition to this, I owned an enviable collection of Rocky Horror magazines and memorabilia from Germany and the US. I’ve seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show more than any other film. I attended several classic midnight screenings in theatres such as The Roxy in Toronto and The Varsity Theatre in Austin. Fifty years later, it’s still packing theatres as a midnight phenomenon.

I also bought all of Tim’s albums on vinyl and sang along with every song. I’m listening to Fearless as I write this. No one sings a sad ballad quite as convincingly as Tim Curry, which appeals to my melancholy nature.

In 1988, I saw Tim perform on stage in Me and My Girl in Toronto (O’Keefe Centre). My memory of the review itself is hazy. What remains crystal clear is my excitement. I know, without question, that I loved it. Sadly, I never had the chance to see him in concert.

So, no objectivity here. Only pure, unadulterated love and respect.

Vagabond by Tim Curry: What the Memoir Reveals

I also developed a newfound love of the word vagabond after reading Curry’s memoir. What stands out most is his reverence for the English language. Equally striking is his devotion to his craft. He reflects on life as a stage and screen actor, voiceover artist, singer, and gardener. Yes—gardener.

Curry makes it clear from the start that he will not discuss his love life. As he bluntly states, “It’s nobody’s fucking business.” However, he does explore family challenges. This includes his complicated relationship with his cold mother. He also shares that he has loved and been loved, and expresses hope that he will love again.

Curry revisits career highlights with reverence. He approaches the low points with honesty and humility. These include being fired from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead in 2011 and the massive stroke he suffered in 2012, which changed his life forever.

Throughout Vagabond: A Memoir, Curry’s innate Britishness remains delightfully intact. So does his mischievous sense of humour. There is also the occasional sprinkle of cattiness. I expected nothing less. Several times, his words made me laugh out loud, and the penultimate chapter made me cry. More often than not, Curry expresses generosity and gratitude. He praises many directors and actors he worked with. However, some left him less than impressed, including Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone.

My Favourite Chapters

My favourite chapters are the two devoted to Rocky Horror, as well as those about his less-than-stellar music career. I enjoyed learning about his work in the stage play of Amadeus and his relationship with Tom Stoppard. Other highlights include his work with John Huston in Annie and Mike Nichols and Eric Idle in Spamalot. Fans of Princess Diana will enjoy his memory of meeting her. This occurred after a performance of The Pirates of Penzance. It was also interesting to read about the gruelling makeup process Tim endured for his role as the Lord of Darkness in Legend. You can feel his claustrophobia as he suffered through the initial process, which took twelve hours. In all honesty, no actor would enjoy that ordeal, but Tim remained a professional throughout that endurance test from hell.

Curry’s list of credits in the Appendix is staggering and a testament to his legend. And he is a legend! Curry redefined the character actor, imbuing heroes and villains with nuance, depth, and insight into human darkness.

I found many films he’s featured in on various streaming channels today. I plan to watch many of them again—some of them for the first time. So much to look forward to!

Legacy, Resilience, and Grace

As a hemiplegic who uses a wheelchair, Curry’s perspective is deeply inspiring. Through his words, we see how he lives with acceptance. Humour and grace guide him forward.

There will never be anyone quite like Tim Curry. His voice is instantly recognizable, no matter what accent he adopted in his roles. For me, it was one of the most inimitable voices of my generation. I will love, admire, and respect him always.

Tim will be eighty on April 19, 2026. I hope he enjoys many more years in his garden. I hope he continues to savour the relationships that matter most to him. He has made the world a better place.

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