This is an admirable memoir from iconic actor Tim Curry. There are quite a few impressive things about it. Firstly, he focuses the narrative mainly on his professional career, with some family history. Secondly, he doesn’t name-drop other famous people for the sake of it, only mentioning them when they significantly relate to his story. Thirdly, he tells his story with a dry wit and humility, while recognising his talents. Fourthly, it showcases his love of language and is well-written as expected. Lastly, but possibly the most importantly, Tim put his thoughts together for this memoir having suffered from a stroke in 2012, which has affected his mobility and short-term memory. It took him some time to be able to speak again. He writes of his family with sadness; his father suffered a stroke and died soon afterwards, when Tim was a schoolboy. Tim’s older sister Judy was only in her fifties when she passed away and they had a strained relationship with their mother, who seemed cold and not very supportive. Tim’s real family, then, are his good friends, most of whom seem to be named Peter!

Tim discusses how he got certain roles in theatre, film and voicework, with plenty of reflection on how he played the roles and giving credit to the directors, costumiers, actors, animators and others who made the features a success. He doesn’t discuss everything he has been involved with (there’s a list at the end, if you need it), but focuses on the most popular productions, and indeed the ones he wants to talk about. He recognises how important and meaningful the characters he played are to various audiences, but reminds us that just because he inhabited those characters, it doesn’t mean that he is like them. He also talks about his music career and his love of gardening. He could doubtless tell a lot more stories, but it’s his book and I respect that.

Published by Penguin, 2025.