- Suffered from epilepsy and depression. Several times in his life he had to be carried offstage due to epileptic seizures he suffered during concerts.
- His second (and final) album with Joy Division - 'Closer' - is considered one of the darkest and most haunting albums in music history. The lyrics largely document Curtis's emotional turmoil leading up to his suicide.
- Attempted suicide on April 8, 1980, but was released from a psychiatric hospital the following day so he could perform at a Joy Division gig. The show was cancelled due to his fragile state, and riots broke out. His distress over the rioting and guilt over an affair he had with a woman named Annick Honore contributed to his deteriorating mental state.
- A list of Joy Division fans reads like a who's who of alternative rock: Thom Yorke, Trent Reznor, Perry Farrell, Kurt Cobain, Maynard James Keenan, Billy Corgan, John Frusciante, Moby, Martin Gore, Bono, and Robert Smith, just to name a few die-hard.
- Father of Natalie Curtis (b. 1979).
- Is portrayed by Sean Harris in 24 Hour Party People (2002).
- On 7 January, 2005, it was announced that the film based on Deborah Curtis's memoir, "Touching from a Distance", will commence production this year in Manchester; backed by US-based Claraflora, the film, with a working title of "Control", will be written by Matt Greenhalgh and directed by renowned photographer Anton Corbijn, and co-produced by Deborah Curtis and Factory Records founder Tony Wilson.
- Is portrayed by Sam Riley in Control (2007).
- Hanged himself in his kitchen.
- Ian's widow, Deborah, penned a biography of her late husband in 1995 titled 'Touching from a Distance.' The movie rights were bought by Double A Films in 2001, and Michael Stock was brought on to write to direct the film.
- It is claimed that he watched the film Stroszek (1977) before committing suicide.
- Was a fan of the German electronic band Kraftwerk, and he would often play their music as inspiration for his band Joy Division.
- Died on the same day as the occurrence of the major explosion eruption of Mount St. Helens, in Skamania County, Washington, United States.
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