Academy Award winner William Hurt died on Sunday after a years-long battle with cancer.
Hurt, who was known for his roles in Hollywood hits “Broadcast News,” “Lost in Space,” and “A History of Violence,” was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer that spread to the bone in 2018.
“It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father and Oscar winning actor, on March 13, 2022, one week before his 72nd birthday,” his son announced on Sunday. “He died peacefully, among family, of natural causes. The family requests privacy at this time.”
Hurt broke into Hollywood in a two-episode story arc on hit series “Kojak” in 1977, and landed his first starring film role in 1980’s “Altered States.”
He was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar three years in a row in the late 80s, and took the golden statue for 1985’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” He got another nod for Best Actor in a Supporting role for his brief appearance in 2005’s “A History of Violence,” alongside Viggo Mortensen.
Hurt became known to younger audiences for his performances as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross in Marvels’ “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Avengers: Endgame,” and follow-up “Black Widow.”
William Hurt, a star in some of the most popular films of the 1980s and an Oscar winner for his role in “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” died on Sunday. He was 71. https://t.co/uVLHXi0Fxw pic.twitter.com/0PYq9WSCIt
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 14, 2022
Hurt was mourned by the movie industry after his death was announced.
“William Hurt has passed. On Robin Hood, I was aware of his reputation for asking character based questions, so I had compiled a file on the life of William Marshall,” recalled co-star Russell Crowe. “He sought me out when he arrived on set. I handed him the stack. Not sure if I’ve ever seen a bigger smile. RIP.
“Very sorry to hear about the passing of William Hurt. He was a fine actor, an Academy Award winner. He also did a classic reading of my story “Low Men in Yellow Coats,” from HEARTS IN ATLANTIS. I loved hitchhiking on his immense talent,” author Stephen King added.
“I’m so sad to hear of the passing of William Hurt. I had the privilege of directing him in The Village. He was a master of his acting craft. Every take was new and revealing,” wrote director M. Night Shyamalan.
“I’m very sad about the passing of William Hurt. A brilliant actor, who put everything into his work. I had a chance to spend time with when I was younger. My father worked with him in a play called Hurlyburly by David Rabe. They were both amazing in it,” said actor Ben Stiller.
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