William Hurt

William McChord Hurt, born on March 20, 1950, was a highly acclaimed American actor known for his versatile performances on both stage and screen. He received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor.
Hurt's journey in the world of acting began at the renowned Juilliard School, where he honed his craft. He made his film debut in Ken Russell's science-fiction feature "Altered States" in 1980, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. The following year, he delivered a standout performance in the neo-noir film "Body Heat," opposite Kathleen Turner.


Throughout the 1980s, Hurt's career soared with leading roles in a series of critically acclaimed films. He received three consecutive nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his roles in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" (1985), "Children of a Lesser God" (1986), and "Broadcast News" (1987). Notably, he won the Academy Award for his performance in "Kiss of the Spider Woman."
Hurt continued to impress audiences with his compelling portrayals in films such as "The Big Chill" (1983), "The Accidental Tourist" (1988), "Alice" (1990), and "One True Thing" (1998). In the early 2000s, he earned his fourth Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence" (2005).
In addition to his success on the big screen, Hurt made significant contributions to television, notably in the FX legal drama "Damages," for which he received an Emmy nomination. He also portrayed Thaddeus Ross in several Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films from 2008 to 2021.


Hurt's talent extended to the stage, where he appeared in off-Broadway productions and made his Broadway debut in David Rabe's dark comedy "Hurlyburly," earning a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
William Hurt's remarkable career left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, earning him a place among the most esteemed actors of his generation. He passed away on March 13, 2022, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances.


William McChord Hurt was born on March 20, 1950, in Washington, D.C. His parents were Claire Isabel (née McGill) and Alfred McChord Hurt. His mother worked for Time Inc., while his father served in various capacities for the United States Agency for International Development and the State Department. Hurt had two brothers, and with his father, he lived in several different countries, including Lahore, Mogadishu, and Khartoum. Following his parents' divorce, his mother remarried Henry Luce III, a son of the renowned publisher Henry Luce.
Hurt's early education took place at the Middlesex School, where he was actively involved in the Dramatics Club, often taking on lead roles in school plays. He graduated from Middlesex in 1968, with his yearbook suggesting the possibility of a future on Broadway. Subsequently, he attended Tufts University initially studying theology. However, his passion for acting led him to switch his focus, and he enrolled at the prestigious Juilliard School, where he studied drama from 1972 to 1976 as part of Group 5 in the Drama Division.


William McChord Hurt began his career in stage productions and was a member of the acting company at Circle Repertory Company from 1977 to 1989. He won an Obie Award for his debut appearance there and received a Theatre World Award for his performances in various plays. In 1979, he portrayed Hamlet under the direction of Marshall W. Mason.
Hurt's first major film role was in the science-fiction film "Altered States" (1980), where his performance gained him wide recognition. He then starred opposite Kathleen Turner in Lawrence Kasdan's neo-noir film "Body Heat" (1981), which elevated him to stardom. Hurt collaborated frequently with Kasdan, appearing in acclaimed films such as "The Big Chill" (1983) and "The Accidental Tourist" (1988). He also received praise for his role in "Gorky Park" (1983) and won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" (1985).


Throughout the 1980s, Hurt received three additional Oscar nominations for his roles in "Children of a Lesser God" (1986), "Broadcast News" (1987), and "A History of Violence" (2005). Despite his prominence in the 1980s, Hurt began appearing more frequently in supporting roles in the following decades. Some of his notable later roles include appearances in "Dark City" (1998), "Lost in Space" (1998), "Sunshine" (1999), "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" (2001), "The Village" (2004), and "Syriana" (2005).
In addition to his film career, Hurt had significant roles in television and theater. He starred in various miniseries and adaptations, including "Frank Herbert's Dune" (2000) and "Nightmares and Dreamscapes." Hurt also became a series regular on the FX series "Damages" in 2009, earning an Emmy nomination for his role. He portrayed United States Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson in the HBO film "Too Big to Fail" (2010) and played Captain Ahab in the television adaptation of "Moby-Dick" (2011).
Hurt continued to work in film and television until his death in March 2022. Some of his later projects included "The Coldest Game" (2019), a standalone episode of "Mythic Quest" (2021), and the series "Pantheon." Despite being cast in several upcoming projects, he only appeared in "Pantheon" before his passing.

References

1.  "Juliette Kitts Dies". The Washington Post. August 27, 1996. Retrieved March 13, 2022. Survivors include two sons from his first marriage, the actor William McChord Hurt and James Harlan Hurt, both of New York; and five grandchildren
2. ^ "FindACase™ - SANDRA JENNINGS v. WILLIAM MCCHORD HURT (02/14/91)". Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
3. ^ "Claire Isabelle McGill Luce (1923–1971)". Oregon Encyclopedia. Oregon Historical Society. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
4. ^ "William Hurt". E!. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
5. ^ "Mrs. Henry Luce 3d, Investment Analyst, Is Dead". The New York Times. June 24, 1971. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
6. ^ "William Hurt: In Every Role, A New Life To Inhabit". NPR. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
7. ^ Hinson, Hal (January 25, 1989). "The Intensity of Being William Hurt". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.