Editorial Content for Vagabond: A Memoir
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Reviewer (text)
Tim Curry knows how to make a role his own, whether as an unhinged Transylvanian doctor attempting to create the perfect male specimen or a butler who must keep a mansion tidy despite the number of bodies that keep dropping. Before his near-fatal stroke in 2012, Curry had performed in the theater, on television and in motion pictures, playing parts that cemented his legacy in pop culture. Despite his enormous success, he always stayed true to his decision to move on from a project when he felt that the time was right.
"This splendid and moving memoir is distinct for its genuineness, verve and lack of guile.... VAGABOND portrays the fickleness of show business, yet Curry has maintained an indomitable resilience that has seen him succeed in the entertainment industry and in life."
Curry’s family moved around a lot because of his father’s position in the Royal Navy. While his father was a warm person, his mother was almost the exact opposite. An 11-year-old Curry would be hit hard by his father’s death due to complications from a stroke. This only widened the emotional gulf between him and his mother. Even though his parents were a study in contrasts, some of the characters Curry portrayed reflected a few of their attributes.
Curry’s love for the stage began when he was in boarding school. Once he caught the acting bug, he didn’t want to let it go. His philosophy in taking on a role was to “explore contradictions” and get outside of one’s comfort zone. The casting aside of one’s inhibitions allowed Curry to make Dr. Frank-N-Furter a beautifully sublime character who evoked laughs and tears in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. His professional mantra led to a standout performance as Pennywise, the murderous harlequin, in the miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s IT. When reading each script, Curry approached the role from a different angle and added a certain panache to that character.
This splendid and moving memoir is distinct for its genuineness, verve and lack of guile. Curry has been a performer for over five decades, but now he’s the storyteller, and he plunges in with both feet. One of the first impressions while reading about his path from the theater to the big screen is an appreciation of the craft and his desire to always give his absolute best. His anecdotes regarding some of his more prominent cinematic roles will prove especially enlightening for fans of those films, including Annie and Clue.
VAGABOND portrays the fickleness of show business, yet Curry has maintained an indomitable resilience that has seen him succeed in the entertainment industry and in life. You will not want to miss this powerful book.
Teaser
There are few stars in Hollywood today who can boast the kind of resume that Tony award-nominated actor Tim Curry has built over the past five decades. From his breakout role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show to his iconic depiction as the sadistic clown Pennywise in It to his critically acclaimed role as the original King Arthur in both the Broadway and West End versions of Spamalot, Curry redefined what it meant to be a “character actor,” portraying heroes and villains alike with complexity, nuance and a genuine understanding of human darkness. Now, in his memoir, Curry takes readers behind the scenes of his rise to fame --- from his early beginnings as a military brat to his formative years in boarding school and university, to the moment when he hit the stage for the first time.
Promo
There are few stars in Hollywood today who can boast the kind of resume that Tony award-nominated actor Tim Curry has built over the past five decades. From his breakout role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show to his iconic depiction as the sadistic clown Pennywise in It to his critically acclaimed role as the original King Arthur in both the Broadway and West End versions of Spamalot, Curry redefined what it meant to be a “character actor,” portraying heroes and villains alike with complexity, nuance and a genuine understanding of human darkness. Now, in his memoir, Curry takes readers behind the scenes of his rise to fame --- from his early beginnings as a military brat to his formative years in boarding school and university, to the moment when he hit the stage for the first time.
About the Book
This memoir is a celebration of Tim Curry's life’s work and a testament to his profound impact on the entertainment industry as we know it today.
There are few stars in Hollywood today who can boast the kind of resume that Tony award-nominated actor Tim Curry has built over the past five decades. From his breakout role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show to his iconic depiction as the sadistic clown Pennywise in It to his critically acclaimed role as the original King Arthur in both the Broadway and West End versions of Spamalot, Curry redefined what it meant to be a “character actor,” portraying heroes and villains alike with complexity, nuance and a genuine understanding of human darkness.
Now, in his memoir, Curry takes readers behind the scenes of his rise to fame --- from his early beginnings as a military brat to his formative years in boarding school and university, to the moment when he hit the stage for the first time. He goes in-depth about what it was like to work on some of the most emblematic works of the 20th century, constantly switching between a camera and a live audience. He also explores the voicework that defined his later career and provided him with a chance to pivot after surviving a catastrophic stroke in 2012 that nearly took his life.
With the upcoming 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the 40th anniversary of Clue, there’s never been a better time for Tim to share his story with the world.
Audiobook available, read by Tim Curry
