Hollywood
Oscar-Winning Actor William Hurt Dies Aged 71
Oscar-winning American actor William Hurt has passed away at the age of 71.
Hurt won the Academy Award for best actor in 1986 for his acclaimed performance in Kiss of the Spider Woman. He received two further consecutive nominations for his roles in Children of a Lesser God and Broadcast News.
Confirming his death in a statement (via Deadline), Hurt’s son Will wrote: “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. He died peacefully, among family, of natural causes. The family requests privacy at this time.”
In 2018 Hurt revealed that he had been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer which had spread to the bone. Despite this, the Hollywood legend continued his acting career in earnest, reprising his role as Thaddeus Ross in Marvel titles including Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Black Widow.
Responding to news of his passing, actor Mark Ruffalo wrote: “Wow, another major loss to the acting community. Great actor. Great mind. RIP.”
Wow, another Major loss to the acting community. Great actor. Great mind. RIP https://t.co/aKu8NWLgaz
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) March 13, 2022
In another tribute, director M. Night Shyamalan said it had been a “privilege” to work with Hurt on The Village, calling him a “master of his craft”.
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. #rip
— M. Night Shyamalan ⌛ (@MNightShyamalan) March 13, 2022
Commemorating Hurt as a “fine actor” with “immense talent”, author Stephen King also praised his reading of the story, Low Men in Yellow Coats.
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.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 13, 2022
Ben Stiller, whose father worked alongside Hurt in a play entitled Hurlyburly, also wrote of his sadness as the actor’s passing.
“He was so kind to my sister and I,” he added. “He would talk to us about acting, and the crest or process. He talked to us as if we were adults, not kids of his friend. He made a huge impact on both of us.”
1/ 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.
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) March 14, 2022
Rest in Peace, William.
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